CHENNAI: With more than eight countries and 15 Indian States to choose from, India International Travel Mart (IITM) offered countless holiday options under one roof. The three-day fair, which drew 200 participants from various countries, concluded at the Chennai Trade Centre on Sunday.
With a booming market for holidays and an ever stable market for pilgrimages, the tourism industry in India is making heavy inroads into business travel sector as well, says Rohit Hangal, director of Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions which organised the travel mart.
“The market is now picking up and is growing fast. This industry is one of India’s top 10 revenue earning industries and hence investments in it have also been excellent. The thing about travel is selecting the best of everything and here everything is under one roof. That is why travel fairs get so much patronage.”
Over the years, the approach of the people has changed, he said. “Travel is all about choices and compatibility. The advantage of a travel fair is that you can mix and match. Every package has pros and cons, but here you can handpick every facet of your travel experience on your own,” he said.
The participants in the 74th edition of the fair included travel agents, tour operators, DMC, hotels and resorts, national tourist organisations, cruises, airlines and online travel portals. From performing Gujarathi Garbha dance, to setting up of Karnataka’s colourful forts and Thailand’s variegated fancy umbrellas, the event enthralled spectators.
Malaysia, Switzerland, Dubai, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan and many more countries found their spots at the fair.