Cochin successfully hosted the much-anticipated India International Travel Mart (IITM) 2026 from 8–10 January 2026 at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Kadavanthra, bringing together key stakeholders from the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. One of South India’s premier travel and tourism exhibitions, IITM 2026 presented a vibrant showcase of domestic and international destinations, travel services, and industry innovations.
Marking its largest-ever showcase in Kochi, IITM once again proved to be a powerful business platform for the travel trade. The three-day exhibition facilitated extensive networking among travel agencies, hoteliers, tour operators, destination management companies, and tourism boards, paving the way for new collaborations, partnerships, and joint ventures.
The exhibition was inaugurated in the presence of several eminent industry veterans and dignitaries, including Mr. Hishamuddin Bin Mustafa, Director, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board; Ms. Ekta Kabra and Mr. Pawan Kumar Jain, Additional Directors, Rajasthan Tourism; Mrs. Mariyamma Jose, Chairperson, TAAI; Mr. Paulose Mathew, TAFI; Mr. Abdul Nazir, President, Tour Operators Association of India; Mr. Jose Pradeep, President, Kerala Travel Mart Society; Mr. Rajkumar, CEO, Kerala Travel Mart Society; Mr. U.C. Riyaz, Convenor, FICCI KESC Tourism Committee; along with Mr. Peer Zahid Ahmad and Mr. Praveen from Jammu & Kashmir Tourism.
IITM 2026 featured over 150 exhibitors from 15 Indian states and 10 international destinations, showcasing a diverse range of travel offerings, including pilgrimage tourism, adventure travel, culture and heritage, wildlife, wellness, and experiential tourism. Tourism Malaysia participated as the Partner Country for the 2026 edition, reinforcing its strong focus on the Indian outbound market.
Aligned with the global emphasis on sustainability, IITM 2026 placed a strong focus on responsible tourism and wellness. The exhibition highlighted eco-friendly initiatives, community-based tourism projects, and conservation-led travel experiences aimed at protecting India’s natural and cultural heritage while encouraging travellers to adopt more conscious and responsible travel practices.
Tourism stakeholders from more than 15 Indian states, including Telangana, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, participated alongside international exhibitors from Vietnam, Malaysia, Bali, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan, and other destinations. Exhibitors actively promoted their destinations, products, and services to both trade visitors and consumers.
Summing up the significance of the event, Mr. Sanjay Hakhu, Director, Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions, said, “Over the years, India International Travel Mart has become a landmark event in South India’s tourism calendar. Our Cochin edition was not just an exhibition; it served as a powerful platform for driving business, discovering new opportunities, and strengthening industry relationships in one of India’s fastest-growing travel markets.”
Mr. Rohit Hangal, Director, Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions, added, “We were proud to present Cochin’s largest multi-destination travel exhibition once again. With increasing participation from across India and overseas, IITM continued to highlight the diversity, vibrancy, and immense potential of the travel and tourism sector in the region.”
The exhibition featured dedicated pavilions for domestic destinations, international tourism boards, luxury travel, experiential tourism, travel technology, and sustainable travel solutions, offering participants unmatched opportunities for engagement, networking, and business growth.