The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), India’s nodal association with about 2,500 companies actively engaged in Travel, Tourism, Hospitality & MICE, are delighted to announce the Grand Celebrations of TAAI’s 75 years of Excellence at their 69^th TAAI Convention & Exhibition of TAAI at Kolkata, West Bengal.

The 3-Day Convention will be held from the 25^th to 27^th October, 2026 at ITC Royal Bengal, Kolkata.

The Convention holds special significance as TAAI celebrates 75 years of Excellence, Leadership and Service to Indian Travel, Tourism & Hospitality.

Established in 1951, TAAI has been at the forefront of India’s Travel & Tourism industry for 75 years, promoting the growth of the sector and bringing together travel professionals from across the country. TAAI represents about 2,500 member companies engaged actively in Outbound, Domestic, Inbound Tourism; Travel. Their member companies are well known for the MICE Tourism they are involved with. TAAI, continues to have at its focus, India, as a Leading Destination, and promote this feature Nationally & Globally.

The 69th Convention comes to India

Guided by the call of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, TAAI’s Managing Committee has decided that the 69^th Convention will be held in India, a departure this year, from the doing it overseas. The decision reflects TAAI’s commitment to Incredible India, strengthening domestic tourism and showcasing India’s immense tourism potential to the global travel fraternity.

A landmark gathering of the Indian travel industry

The three-day convention is expected to bring together approximately 900 delegates and media from across India.

The event will bring together leaders from the Government, stakeholders in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Industry; Airlines, Hotels, Destinations, Technology Companies; MICE products and services and other allied sectors, creating a platform for industry interaction, collaboration, networking and discussions on the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of Indian Travel & Tourism.

Celebrating 75 years – Looking towards the future

The 69th TAAI Convention & Exhibition is particularly significant as the Association celebrates its 75 Years of Excellence. A rare happening indeed.

TAAI’s journey over seven and a half decades reflects its continued commitment to the growth and development of India’s travel and tourism ecosystem. The Convention in Kolkata will provide an opportunity to celebrate this rich legacy while looking ahead to the next chapter of India’s Travel & Tourism journey.

Remarks Mr Sunil Kumar, the President of TAAI, “The 69th TAAI Convention & Exhibition is a very special milestone for our Association as we celebrate 75 years of Excellence, Leadership and Service to Indian Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Industry. We are delighted to do our Convention in India and particularly in Kolkata. This decision, reflects our commitment to Incredible India and to strengthening domestic tourism. We look forward to bringing the Indian travel fraternity together in Kolkata and creating a meaningful platform for collaboration and the future growth of our industry.

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The travel, tourism and hospitality fraternity is gearing up for the 6th Edition of the World Tourism Day Celebration, scheduled for September 26, 2026, at Udman Hotels and Resorts, NH8, Delhi.

Organised by the Purvanchal Paryatan Association in association with the Great Indian Travel Fest (GITF), the event is expected to bring together 1,000+ tourism professionals and delegates, including more than 100 domestic and international hosted buyers. Travel agents, tour operators, hoteliers, DMCs, tourism boards and hospitality professionals are expected to participate.

The 2026 edition will focus strongly on B2B networking and business opportunities, giving tourism and hospitality companies a platform to meet buyers, showcase destinations and travel products, and explore new partnerships and markets.

Six Editions, One Growing Tourism Platform

Founded in 2021 by Mr. Shridhar Jha, the World Tourism Day Celebration has grown from a small industry gathering into a broader platform for the tourism fraternity. Over the years, the event has brought together travel trade professionals, hoteliers, destination specialists and other industry stakeholders.

The event has been hosted at leading properties across Delhi, including Hotel Stanley, Sakura by MAPS Group, Welcome Hotel ITC Dwarka and Radisson Blu Hotel Dwarka. The 2026 edition will move to Udman Hotels and Resorts, NH8.

Buyers, Businesses and New Opportunities

A major highlight this year will be the participation of 100+ hosted buyers from domestic and international markets. The organisers expect the programme to create direct opportunities for hotels, resorts, DMCs, tourism boards and experience providers to connect with potential business partners.

Alongside business networking, the celebration will highlight culture, heritage and sustainable tourism, with the organisers promoting stronger collaboration across the tourism value chain.

The event will also feature entertainment and engagement activities, including a lucky draw every 30 minutes, with gifts, tour packages and hotel stay vouchers for participants. The organisers are presenting this year’s gathering as a “Celebration of WTD in Bollywood’s Style.”

Event Details

Date: September 26, 2026
Venue: Udman Hotels and Resorts, NH8, Delhi
Organisers: Purvanchal Paryatan Association & GITF
Expected Participation: 1,000+ delegates
Hosted Buyers: 100+ domestic and international
Focus: B2B networking, business opportunities and sustainable tourism

With its combination of business networking, destination promotion and celebration, the 6th Edition is expected to provide a valuable meeting point for India’s travel and hospitality community and its international business partners.

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SATTE (South Asia’s Travel & Tourism Exchange), South Asia’s leading travel and tourism exhibition, has announced the introduction of its AI-Powered Visitor & Buyer Qualification Framework, making it among the first travel trade exhibitions in India to leverage artificial intelligence to enhance visitor qualification, buyer intelligence and business matchmaking.

As the business events industry evolves, exhibitors are increasingly looking beyond visitor numbers and focusing on meaningful business outcomes. Responding to this shift, SATTE has introduced an intelligent visitor qualification framework that will help create more relevant business connections and improve the overall quality of engagement across the exhibition.

The AI-powered framework intelligently analyses visitor profiles to better understand business relevance and buyer intent, enabling more meaningful exhibitor-buyer interactions while supporting a smarter, more personalised event experience.

Integrated with SATTE 365, the initiative extends the value of the exhibition beyond the show floor by enabling year-round engagement, stronger business networking and continuous relationship building across the travel ecosystem.

The introduction of the AI-powered framework reflects SATTE’s commitment to creating a more intelligent business ecosystem where technology enhances the quality of conversations, strengthens buyer relevance and enables exhibitors to maximise every business opportunity.

Rather than simply increasing visitor numbers, SATTE is focused on ensuring exhibitors meet the right people, engage in more meaningful conversations and generate stronger commercial outcomes.

Pallavi Mehra, Senior Group Director, Informa Markets in India, said:

“For over three decades, SATTE has connected the global travel industry with the Indian market. As our industry evolves, our responsibility is to continuously enhance the value we deliver to exhibitors and buyers. This AI-powered initiative reflects our commitment to creating a smarter marketplace where every business interaction is more relevant, more meaningful and more valuable.”

As SATTE enters its 34th year, it continues to redefine how the global travel industry connects, collaborates and grows. The introduction of AI-powered visitor intelligence is another step in SATTE’s journey towards becoming a more intelligent, data-driven and business-focused marketplace that delivers value before, during and after the exhibition.

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The anniversary celebration witnessed participation from over 120 industry professionals, including members who travelled from locations as far as 1,000 kilometres to attend the event. This strong turnout reflected the association’s expanding national footprint and the increasing relevance of its platform for meaningful industry engagement and collaboration.

The evening was graced by several eminent dignitaries and senior industry representatives, including Mr. Subhash Goyal, Chief Patron – GAEHP and Chairman, STIC Group; Ms. Samanda, Additional Director – Tourism & Culture, FICCI; and Dr. R. K. Suman, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Tourism. Their presence added further significance to the occasion, reaffirming the association’s growing standing within the broader tourism and hospitality ecosystem.

Addressing members and guests, Mr. Rajesh Arya, President – GAEHP, reflected on the association’s journey over the past year. He said,
“GAEHP was established with the objective of creating a collaborative, credible, and inclusive platform for professionals across events, travel, and hospitality. The encouraging response we have received within our very first year—both in terms of participation and membership growth—clearly reinforces the industry’s need for a unified voice and shared platform.”

Highlighting the association’s progress and momentum, Mr. Pranav Bansal, General Secretary – GAEHP, added,
“In less than one year, GAEHP’s membership has grown to nearly 350 professionals, representing a diverse mix of stakeholders including travel agents, tour operators, hotels, event organisers, destination management companies, and allied service providers. This milestone reflects the trust the industry has placed in GAEHP and motivates us to further strengthen our initiatives and outreach.”

The anniversary networking evening provided a focused and structured environment for professional interaction, enabling senior decision-makers and industry stakeholders to exchange ideas, explore collaboration opportunities, and strengthen long-term professional relationships. The event also acknowledged the valuable support extended by members, partners, and sponsors, whose contributions have played a key role in the association’s steady growth.

Over the past year, GAEHP has actively worked towards fostering collaboration across industry verticals, encouraging knowledge exchange, and addressing common challenges faced by professionals in the events and hospitality sectors. With an emphasis on inclusivity, professional development, and collective growth, the association aims to serve as a bridge between industry stakeholders and policymakers.

As GAEHP enters its second year, the association remains committed to expanding its national presence, strengthening industry dialogue, and promoting sustainable growth across the events and hospitality ecosystem in India and beyond.

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Inaugurating the event as Chief Guest, Shri Om Birla highlighted that the Hadoti region offers a rare confluence of heritage, natural beauty, and cultural richness, presenting immense untapped tourism potential. He extended a warm welcome to travel agents, tour operators, hoteliers, investors, and tourism stakeholders from across the country who had gathered to explore and experience the region’s diverse offerings.

Addressing the gathering, the Member of Parliament from Kota emphasised that Hadoti is home to magnificent forts, historic stepwells, architectural marvels, wildlife landscapes, and important religious sites, making it capable of attracting both domestic and international travellers. He specifically referenced key attractions such as the Chambal River Front and River Safari, Taragarh Fort in Bundi, Gagron Fort, and Shahabad Fort, noting that these landmarks have the potential to emerge as flagship tourism attractions.

Stressing the importance of sustained promotion, Shri Birla underlined that platforms like the Kota Hadoti Travel Mart play a pivotal role in ensuring continuous visibility, infrastructure development, and stakeholder engagement. He advocated for the Travel Mart to be organised annually to firmly establish Hadoti as a standalone destination of national and international significance.

Repositioning Hadoti as a Prime Tourism Circuit

The Travel Mart aims to reposition Hadoti—encompassing Kota, Bundi, Jhalawar, and Baran—as an independent tourism circuit rather than a peripheral extension of Rajasthan’s more established destinations. Despite its wealth of heritage, wildlife, art forms, and living traditions, the region has remained relatively under-explored, a gap the Travel Mart seeks to address.

Held over three days at Art Hill and Riverfront, Kota, KHTM 2026 featured a comprehensive programme including B2B exhibitions, curated networking sessions, destination experiences, heritage walks, cultural performances, and networking dinners, creating a dynamic platform for meaningful engagement between the travel trade, investors, and destination storytellers.

Strong Trade Participation and High-Level Support

The maiden edition of the Hadoti Travel Mart, held from January 2 to 4, 2026, marked a major milestone in regional tourism promotion. Led by the Hotel Federation of Rajasthan – Kota Division, with support from the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, the event hosted over 450 tour operators, travel professionals, media representatives, and influencers from across the country.
The inaugural ceremony at Shaurya Ghat, on the banks of the Chambal River, also witnessed the unveiling of a souvenir booklet titled Magical Hadoti by Shri Om Birla, followed by a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the Kota skyline.

A structured B2B Travel Mart, conducted on January 3 and 4 at Art Hill – Oxyzone City Park, facilitated focused business interactions between buyers and sellers. The B2B sessions were inaugurated by the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Smt. Diya Kumari, who lit the traditional lamp in the presence of Shri Illyaraj Singh of Kota, senior office bearers of the Hotel Federation of Rajasthan, and representatives from allied organisations.

Event Highlights and Way Forward

The Kota Hadoti Travel Mart 2026 concluded on a high note, fostering meaningful dialogue, strengthening partnerships, and opening new avenues for tourism growth. The closing ceremony was graced by Shri Om Birla and the Hon’ble Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, along with Shri Onkar Singh Lakhawat, Chairman of the Dharohar Vikas Pradhikaran, and other senior dignitaries.

With strong institutional backing and growing industry participation, the Kota Hadoti Travel Mart 2026 stands as a decisive step towards sustainable tourism development, long-term destination branding, and global recognition for the Hadoti region.

Acknowledging the Organising Team

The successful planning and execution of the Kota Hadoti Travel Mart 2026 were made possible by the dedicated efforts of the Hotel Federation of Rajasthan – Kota Division. Under the leadership of Shri Ashok Maheshwari, President, with strategic support from Shri Sandeep Padia, General Secretary, and seamless coordination by Shri Anil Mundra, Co-ordinator, the organising team ensured a professionally managed and impactful event. Their collective commitment and organisational excellence played a key role in establishing KHTM 2026 as a landmark tourism initiative for the Hadoti region.

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The event witnessed the participation of over 100 OTOAI members along with leading industry professionals, creating a vibrant platform for networking, collaboration, and meaningful dialogue within the outbound tourism sector.

The evening received tremendous support from the teams of Qantas Airways — represented by Kunal Dewan and My Partner by MakeMyTrip, represented by Amit Shukla. Their presence underscored the importance of strong industry collaborations in promoting outbound travel and tourism.

Speaking on the occasion, Himanshu Kesari Patil, President, OTOAI, emphasized the association’s continuous efforts to empower members and strengthen industry relationships through such interactive initiatives.

“We are delighted to host this Members Meet in partnership with Qantas Airways and My Partner by MakeMyTrip. Events like these not only create valuable networking opportunities but also encourage meaningful discussions that contribute to the growth of outbound tourism,” said Mr. Patil.

The event brought together OTOAI EC Members, industry leaders, and travel trade experts, reflecting the association’s ongoing commitment to fostering unity, professional excellence, and innovation within the travel community.

Adding to the evening’s charm, exclusive giveaways were presented to OTOAI members by Kazin DMC, Accor Hotels, and Indo Bangkok, making the event even more memorable for all attendees.

The evening concluded with an engaging networking dinner, celebrating collaboration, growth, and shared success in the outbound tourism sector.

As OTOAI continues to champion the interests of India’s outbound travel community, such initiatives reaffirm its dedication to promoting innovation and partnerships that strengthen India’s global tourism footprint.

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The event was graced by eminent leaders of the travel trade, including Subhash Goyal, Rajiv Mehra, Rajnish Kaistha along with the Personal Assistant to Shri Manoj Tiwari, Hon’ble Member of Parliament. Their presence and blessings added prestige and inspiration to the occasion.

The celebration brought together top travel agents from the NCR region, creating a perfect platform for networking and business opportunities. With 20+ premium exhibitors showcasing their offerings, participants experienced high-quality face-to-face interactions, strengthening professional ties and future collaborations.

The event received wide attention and was covered by more than 10 leading media platforms, further amplifying its impact across the industry.

The day ended on a high note with an electrifying live performance by celebrity singer Vishal Srivastav, adding a spirit of joy and festivity to the professional networking environment.

The organizers expressed gratitude to all partners, exhibitors, and attendees for making the event a resounding success. The celebration truly embodied the theme of World Tourism Day—uniting professionals, strengthening bonds, and celebrating tourism as a force of growth and friendship.

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The newly elected leadership brings together experienced professionals with a proven track record in the travel business, representing a diverse mix of perspectives to guide the industry at a time of transformation. The new team is as follows:

President: Abbas Moiz
Vice President: Anil Kalsi
National General Secretary: Hitank Shah
Treasurer: Rai Achal Krishna
Managing Committee Members:

• Jitul Mehta
• Paulose Mathew
• Sunil Uttam
• Khushvinder Sarna
• A Bright Manohar

In addition, Ajay Prakash will continue to serve as the Immediate Past President, ensuring continuity of leadership and guidance for the new team.

As per the bye-laws of TAFI, four additional members were co-opted at the first Managing Committee meeting held on the same day. They are:

• Shamim Shah
• Ronak Shah
• Sumita Kashyap
• Shailendra Khare

Speaking on behalf of the new team, President, Abbas Moiz expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him and outlined a vision for the future. “It is an honor to take on this responsibility at such a dynamic time for the travel and tourism sector. Our focus will be on strengthening industry partnerships, advocating policy reforms, embracing digital transformation, and creating sustainable opportunities for travel agents across India,” he said.

With the global tourism industry rebounding strongly, TAFI’s leadership is committed to ensuring that Indian travel agents remain competitive in an increasingly digital and globalized marketplace. The organization will continue to focus on policy advocacy, collaboration with airlines and hospitality partners, skill development, and the adoption of technology across the trade.

Founded with the mission to unify travel agents and amplify their collective voice, TAFI today represents over 1,400 member companies across India. Headquartered in Mumbai, the Federation continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of travel by addressing industry concerns, creating training and networking opportunities, and fostering cooperation with both domestic and international stakeholders.

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Landmark Event for Odisha and the Eastern Region

For Odisha and the Eastern Region, the convention was a landmark event. Dr. J.K. Mohanty, Chairman of IATO’s Eastern Region and CMD of Swosti Group, underlined the convention’s significance in showcasing Odisha’s unique tourism potential. He highlighted the opportunity to spotlight the state’s diverse offerings, from heritage temples and pristine coastlines to tribal and Buddhist tourism circuits. The presence of national and international delegates was an unprecedented chance to enhance the state’s visibility, attract inbound tourism, and stimulate infrastructure growth and policy focus. Dr. Mohanty noted that the convention would likely lead to a clear roadmap for promoting Eastern India as an integrated inbound circuit, with Odisha as its cultural and spiritual anchor.

Mohanty also acknowledged the gradual recovery of inbound tourism in Odisha post-pandemic, citing a rebound in interest from both domestic and international travellers, particularly in the heritage and eco-tourism segments. However, he pointed out a significant challenge: the lack of direct international air connectivity to Bhubaneswar, which limits access for global travellers. To address this, he stressed the need for enhanced international marketing, strategic airline partnerships, and curated experiential tourism packages. He stated that the Eastern Region chapter, in collaboration with the Odisha Tourism Department, has been conducting annual conclaves to highlight the needs and potential of the state’s tourism sector and advocate for more flight connections. The Swosti Group, he added, played a crucial role in the convention’s success, actively supporting logistics, hospitality, and coordination to ensure a seamless experience for delegates while also showcasing its commitment to expanding its own luxury and eco-tourism offerings in the state.

Northern Region’s Perspective: Resilience amidst External Disruptions

Sunil Gupta, Chairman of IATO’s Northern Region, described the convention as a vital platform for knowledge-sharing and policy advocacy. He said that the discussions at the convention will help shape strategies for the Northern Region, a hub of iconic Indian destinations, to revive and grow inbound tourism through better connectivity, infrastructure, and collaborative promotions.

Gupta added that while the Northern Region continues to attract a healthy share of inbound visitors, it has yet to reach pre-pandemic levels. He highlighted the resilience of the sector, but also the sensitivity of inbound tourism to external disruptions like geopolitical tensions and natural disasters. He pointed to the proactive engagement of state tourism boards in international marts and global marketing campaigns. Key challenges, he said, remain inconsistent infrastructure, limited direct international air connectivity, and insufficient destination marketing abroad. He stressed the need for a more unified national promotional campaign and streamlined visa policies. He also shared a recent initiative by the Jammu & Kashmir chapter, where an IATO delegation visited Srinagar and Pahalgam to reassure the industry and public about the return to normalcy following an incident, an effort aimed at rebuilding confidence among both trade partners and travellers.

Western Region’s View: Addressing Stagnation and Safety Concerns

From the Western Region, Chairman Himanshu Agashiwala saw the convention as a crucial platform for dialogue between the private sector and government. He emphasized that the exchange of ideas would foster growth and quality work. He also highlighted the opportunity for tour operators from across India to interact and learn about the tourism potential of the Western Region.

Agashiwala said that the current state of inbound tourism in the Western Region is stagnant, though he noted some positive signs. Goa, he said, has shown a good tourist arrival rate, and Gujarat has a steady flow of NRIs. However, he expressed concern about Maharashtra, which he believes is lagging behind due to a lack of proper publicity and collaboration with the right partners like IATO. He also pointed out that Madhya Pradesh is making strides by boosting its pilgrimage sector. The main challenges, he asserted, are consistent issues with infrastructure development, and most importantly, safety concerns, particularly regarding women’s safety and geopolitical issues. He urged for concrete measures to curb such incidents and for the media to avoid spreading bad publicity. He mentioned recent initiatives by Maharashtra Tourism to promote inbound tourism by inviting agents to local festivals and planning to increase the number of tourism guides.

Southern Region’s Strategy: Unifying States for Seamless Travel

Pandian K, Chairman of IATO’s Southern Region, stated that the Puri convention has ignited meaningful discussions on policy reforms, sustainable tourism, and infrastructure development. He believes these discussions would lead to actionable strategies and government engagement, particularly benefiting the Southern Region, which has high potential but needs greater exposure. Pandian also sees the convention as a way to open doors to new business collaborations and increase visibility for lesser-known destinations.

Pandian informed that inbound tourism in the Southern Region is gradually recovering but has not yet reached pre-pandemic levels, with challenges like visa delays and global economic factors affecting volumes. He noted that niche segments like spiritual tourism and Ayurveda are gaining attention. He highlighted a key challenge for the region: the lack of coordination between Indian states. He stressed the importance of tourism secretaries and administrators from different states periodically coming together to align on shared goals and operational practices. He cited the ‘One India One Permit’ policy as a progressive step that, if uniformly adopted, would significantly ease travel. He stated that his chapter actively holds regular meetings to discuss challenges, exchange market insights, and represent South India’s potential at national conventions and expos.

Imperative of Collective Action

A clear and unified message emerged from across all regions: India’s inbound tourism, while showing signs of recovery, has a long road ahead to reach and surpass pre-pandemic levels. The common challenges identified include inadequate infrastructure, limited international air connectivity, safety perceptions, and a lack of cohesive, well-funded national marketing. The convention in Puri served to reinforce the critical need for greater collaboration between the government and private stakeholders, policy-level alignment among states, and a focused, unified approach to promoting ‘Brand India’ on the global stage. As the industry looks toward a more prosperous future, the outcomes and connections forged at this convention are expected to pave the way for a rejuvenated and more resilient inbound tourism sector across the entire nation.

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