Mr. H.K. Patil, Minister for Law & Parliamentary Affairs, Legislation, and Tourism, Government of Karnataka, officially inaugurated the much-awaited travel exhibition and B2B networking meetings, part of the Karnataka International Travel Expo 2025, at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre on February 27th. In the presence of Mr. M. Srinivas, Chairman of the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation; Mr. K. Shyama Raju, President of Karnataka Tourism Society; Mrs. Salma K. Fahim, IAS, Principal Secretary; Dr. Rajendra K.V., IAS, Director of the Department of Tourism and Managing Director of KSTDC, Government of Karnataka, Mr. Venkiteswaran, Regional Director – South of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Mr. Vineeth Verma, Vice President and Mr. Mahalingaih, Secretary of Karnataka Tourism Society, and Mr. Ayyappa Somaiah, Chairman, Exhibition Committee.
The exhibition showcased Karnataka’s treasures through dedicated pavilions featuring over 20 different tourism segments, including Adventure & Wildlife, Business Travel and Hotels, Pilgrimages, Festivals of Karnataka, World Heritage Sites, Conferences, and Meetings. The event highlighted Karnataka’s iconic destinations, emerging circuits, and sustainable tourism initiatives. It also featured more than 500 hotels, resorts, wellness centres, travel agents, tour operators, adventure and activity-based operators, and water theme parks, with 150 exhibitors representing various destinations and marquee products of Karnataka.
A key feature of the travel expo was the online appointment scheduling system, facilitating over 15,000 online appointments and B2B meetings between sellers from Karnataka and more than 500 international buyers from 60 countries, along with more than 250 domestic buyers from 27 Indian states and union territories.
Organizing events like the Karnataka International Travel Expo (KITE) as a hosted buyer B2B event benefits Karnataka as a tourism destination in multiple ways. It enhances global visibility by showcasing Karnataka’s unique offerings, including its rich heritage, eco-tourism hotspots, adventure destinations, and wellness retreats. Hosted buyers from international markets act as ambassadors, promoting Karnataka in their respective countries and enhancing its visibility as a global tourism destination.
KITE 2025 facilitates business opportunities by connecting local tourism businesses with global buyers, tour operators, and travel agencies, generating partnerships and collaborations that lead to increased footfalls and revenues. The event also promotes small and medium tourism enterprises and local businesses, providing them with exposure to global markets and expanding their customer base.
Another key purpose of hosting a major travel event like KITE 2025 is to drive tourism revenue and employment in the state, thereby boosting the local economy. Increased tourism leads to higher spending on accommodations, dining, transport, and local attractions, benefiting communities across Karnataka and creating job opportunities. According to Dr. K.V. Rajendra, Director of Karnataka Tourism, the growth in tourism demand generates employment opportunities, especially in rural and semi-urban areas where many of Karnataka’s unique attractions are located.
KITE 2025 also allows Karnataka to spotlight offbeat destinations and new circuits, reducing pressure on established tourist spots while attracting niche travelers and diversifying tourism offerings. Ms. Salma K. Fahim, IAS, Secretary to the Government, Tourism and Minority Welfare, and Haj and Waqf Department, Government of Karnataka, stated that Karnataka aims to promote sustainable tourism development in the state. By distributing tourism traffic, the state ensures balanced economic growth and the conservation of its natural and cultural heritage.
She also emphasized that KITE 2025 aims to strengthen Karnataka’s brand as a travel hub and position it as a preferred destination. Events like KITE 2025 help establish Karnataka as a go-to destination for business and leisure travelers, reinforcing its position on the global tourism map. Additionally, she reiterated that promoting investment in tourism infrastructure through such initiatives attracts investments in hospitality, transport, and other sectors, improving the overall tourism experience. Through such efforts, Karnataka can harness its tourism potential to drive inclusive economic growth, cultural exchange, and sustainable development.
Mr. K. Shyama Raju, President of the Karnataka Tourism Society, said that the highlight of the B2B networking opportunities was the participation of over 400 hosted buyers from India and abroad, along with more than 150 stakeholders from Karnataka, ensuring impactful interactions for trade and industry professionals. This exhibition is considered one of the biggest hosted buyer travel events in India.
The Karnataka Tourism Department and Karnataka Tourism Society meticulously curated six pre- and post-event familiarization tours, showcasing major destinations in Karnataka such as Hampi, Coorg and Kabini, Mysore, Chikmagalur, Mangaluru, Badami, and Pattadakal for hosted buyers and travel media delegates from India and around the world.
Participation is open to tourism boards, travel agencies, tour operators, hotel chains, and other tourism-related businesses seeking to explore and invest in Karnataka’s flourishing tourism sector. The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, along with many public sector undertakings such as Jungle Lodges and Resorts, Indian Coffee Board, Karnataka State Soaps and Oils, producers of the globally recognized Mysore Sandal Soap, Karnataka Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation, Bangalore International Airport, Karnataka International Exhibition Centre, and the South India Hotels and Restaurants Association, are also exhibiting their products to the world at KITE 2025.
Karnataka International Travel Expo (KITE) 2025 also showcased the rich cultural tapestry of the state through vibrant art forms and daily cultural extravaganzas featuring renowned artists such as Ghatam Sreedhar and the Nandana Dance Academy, celebrating Karnataka’s art, music, and cuisine.
The special issue of the Tourism India for KITE 2025 was officially launched by the tourism minister Mr. H.K. Patil by handing over a copy to Mr. Srinivas, Chairman of KSTDC in the presence of Mr. K. Shyama Raju, President of Karnataka Tourism Society; Mrs. Salma K. Fahim, IAS, Principal Secretary; Dr. Rajendra K.V., IAS, Director of the Department of Tourism and Managing Director of KSTDC, Government of Karnataka, Mr. Mahalingaih, Secretary of Karnataka Tourism Society, Mr. Ravisankar K.V. Managing Editor & Publisher at BIEC on February 27th and the expo will continue till February 28,, 2025.
Major national and state-level trade and hospitality associations, including the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India, Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), BCIC, FKCCI, FHRAI, Karnataka Tourism Forum, Enterprising Agents Association of India (ETAA), SKAL, South India Hotel and Restaurant Association (SIHRA), Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), and many others, are supporting the event.
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