Pune and Hyderabad host India International Travel Mart

Pune and Hyderabad have hosted the India International Travel Mart (IITM), the country‟s premium travel trade exhibition. While the Pune IITM was held at Deccan Grounds, next to Bombay Sappers, Yerawada, Pune from November 23 to 25 November 2012, the IITM Hyderabad was held at Peoples Plaza in Hyderabad from November 30 – December 2. The Hyderabad event by was inaugurated by Chandana Khan, IAS, Special Chief Secretary – Tourism, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh on November 30. With this year‟s edition of IITM in Pune and Hyderabad, Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions completes thirteen years of providing the travel industry and discerning buyers from the travel – trade and corporate sector an opportunity to do business. With organizations and tourism boards from over 15 Indian states, „India International Travel Mart‟ showcased a variety of destinations from different spheres such as pilgrimages, adventures, culture & heritage, beaches, hills and many more.

The events had over 150 participants from over 10 countries. The participants include Travel agents & Tour Operators, Destination Management Companies, Hotels & Resorts, NTO's, Cruises, Airlines, Online Travel Portals etc. Boost for domestic tourism Rohit Hangal, Director, Sphere Travelmedia, said: “With the present ongoing recession International Arrivals in India has dropped and „India International Travel Mart‟ provides the right impetus to the Indian domestic tourism industry. The participants from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Puducherry, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand and many more destinations will be seen aggressively marketing their products.” Some of the segments covered at the Exhibition include Pilgrimages, Culture & Heritage, Sports and Adventure, etc.

Tourism studies and trends indicate that 2012–13 will see more than 15 million tourists embanking on overseas travel and with the advent of low-cost international airfares, holiday packages that are available on monthly installments payable over a period of time, international travel is no longer a luxury. The IITM provides an ideal 'marketing opportunity' and 'excellent backdrop' to enhance the participants‟ 'brand-equity' in the eyes of the discerning end consumer and the travel-trade.