The Great Indian Travel Bazaar: India’s Premier Platform for Inbound Tourism Networking
The Great Indian Travel Bazaar has firmly established itself as India’s leading business networking platform for Inbound Tourism. Held annually, this two-day event is uniquely focused on connecting international buyers with Indian tourism stakeholders through a tightly structured program of pre-scheduled B2B meetings, knowledge-sharing sessions, and destination showcases. With more than 11,000 B2B meetings taking place between over 280 foreign tour operators and Indian sellers, the event consistently delivers measurable outcomes for all participants.
As inbound tourism to India gains momentum in the post-pandemic era, GITB plays a crucial role in aligning market interests, shaping travel trends, and adding Indian destinations to the global travel map.
A Focused B2B Marketplace for Travel Industry Stakeholders
One of the defining characteristics of GITB is its exclusive focus on inbound travel to India. Unlike other broader travel expos, GITB hones in on connecting international tour operators—buyers—with Indian suppliers like Destination Management Companies (DMCs), state tourism boards, hotels, and experience providers. This laser-sharp approach ensures that every interaction is commercially relevant and geared toward increasing inbound travel.
These buyer-seller meetings are scheduled in advance, ensuring maximum efficiency and ROI for participants. For two full days, the exhibition floor becomes a hive of structured negotiations and opportunity identification.
Who Attends the Bazaar?
Participants include a rich mix of:
State and regional tourism boards
Luxury and boutique hotel groups
Heritage property owners and resorts
Inbound travel operators and DMCs
Adventure, cultural, and wellness tourism specialists
Media and international travel influencers
By offering direct access to a curated pool of global travel buyers, GITB effectively reduces the gap between Indian tourism offerings and international demand.
Event Highlights: What Makes GITB Unique
Beyond the sheer volume of meetings, The Great Indian Travel Bazaar offers a well-rounded program that addresses both strategic discussions and on-the-ground business generation.
Some of the event's core highlights include:
Opening & Knowledge Session: Attended by government representatives and industry veterans, the opening segment sets the tone by addressing macro-level tourism trends and strategies.
Release of Knowledge Paper: Each year, GITB unveils a dedicated research report on inbound tourism, offering data-backed insights and future predictions.
Exhibition with Over 300 Booths: A massive exhibition showcases a wide array of tourism products and services from across India, making it easier for buyers to explore partnerships.
11,000+ Pre-Scheduled Meetings: These B2B meetings are the core of the event, offering tangible commercial outcomes.
Networking Dinner and Cocktails: A relaxed yet strategic space for informal conversations and further relationship-building.
Post-Event FAM Trips: After the main event, buyers are taken on familiarization tours to Indian destinations, enabling them to experience first-hand what they can later offer to clients.
Knowledge Sharing and Thought Leadership
While GITB is known for its business impact, it equally prioritizes learning and innovation. With curated talks and interactive sessions, the event delves deep into challenges, opportunities, and innovations shaping inbound travel to India.
Topics Often Covered Include:
Sustainable tourism practices
Digital transformation in the travel industry
Leveraging cultural tourism for global appeal
Destination branding and marketing
Safety, hygiene, and wellness in post-COVID travel
By combining marketplace dynamics with thought leadership, the event positions itself as both a business and an educational platform.
Strategic Importance for Indian Tourism
GITB isn’t just another travel event—it’s a catalyst for India’s inbound tourism strategy. With participation from over 50 countries, the platform provides Indian sellers with direct access to new and emerging markets.
For many Indian states and tourism boards, GITB is a core component of their international promotion strategies. It helps place lesser-known destinations on the radar of global tour operators, thus ensuring a more balanced and inclusive tourism development model.
Long-Term Benefits Include:
Strengthening India's positioning as a global tourism hub
Expanding visitor source markets beyond traditional geographies
Encouraging investments in tourism infrastructure and services
Promoting lesser-known regions and niche tourism products
This strategic outlook ensures that the impact of GITB extends far beyond the event itself, echoing through tourism circuits across the country for months and years to come.
Enhancing Buyer Confidence Through Experiential Engagement
One of the most impactful components of the event is the Post Event FAM (familiarization) Tours. These curated trips allow foreign buyers to explore Indian destinations firsthand. Seeing heritage sites, engaging with local cultures, and experiencing hospitality services in real-time enables buyers to promote these destinations more confidently and authentically in their home markets.
The FAM tours often lead to deeper relationships and long-term partnerships, strengthening India’s presence on international tour operator itineraries.
GITB’s Role in Shaping India’s Tourism Future
The Great Indian Travel Bazaar is more than a trade show—it's a strategic intervention that brings together global aspirations and local potential. By providing a focused environment for business meetings, offering valuable market intelligence, and facilitating destination exposure, GITB plays a defining role in enhancing India’s inbound tourism industry.
For tourism professionals looking to tap into the Indian market or Indian stakeholders aiming to expand globally, GITB remains an unmissable annual event that delivers far-reaching commercial and developmental benefits.
