On Day 2, building on initial momentum with a full schedule of dynamic business meetings, thought-leading conference sessions, and strong international showcases at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. The event underscored the critical role of India’s burgeoning tourism market, particularly its growing outbound and domestic travel segments
The second day of the third edition of ITB India was a resounding success, highlighting the pivotal role of the travel and tourism industry in the global market and underscoring the immense economic potential of Indian tourism. It became clear through various thought-provoking sessions and expert talks that the growing Indian outbound market is increasingly sophisticated, showing a strong preference for specific types of travel experiences. Indian travelers are now more fond of and actively seeking out cruise travel, which is rapidly moving from a niche market to a mainstream choice, as well as experiential and sustainable travel practices. This evolving preference indicates a shift from passive sightseeing to active exploration and purpose-driven journeys, suggesting a very prosperous future for the industry in India.
Key highlights from Day 2 included global destinations and travel brands showcasing their latest offerings, thereby strengthening connections with the Indian market. Hundreds of pre-scheduled and on-floor meetings brought buyers and sellers together to explore partnerships and unlock new opportunities. Delegates also engaged in meaningful discussions on innovation, sustainability, and strategies for driving growth in the travel sector. The conference sessions were a particular highlight, with speakers delivering actionable insights on emerging travel trends, technology-driven solutions, and the evolving role of MICE and corporate travel. The overall quality and expertise of the speakers were widely praised throughout the day.
Several key conference sessions and panels stood out. The “Evolving Consumer Landscape Driving Multi-Dimensional Reinvention in Travel” session, led by Mr. Anshul Gupta and Mr. Sankar Subramaniam of Accenture Technology, highlighted the changing patterns of global travellers using the latest survey reports and data analysis. The “Niche to Norm: Unlocking the Regional Cruise Revolution” panel, featuring Jurgen Bailom of Cordelia Cruises, Jasmeet Singh of MakeMyTrip, and Naresh Rawal of StarDream Cruises India, discussed the transformation of cruising in the India, Singapore, and Middle East corridor, driven by factors like MICE tourism and a burgeoning middle class.
Another notable session was “Small Ships, Grand Journeys: India’s New Wave of Luxury Expedition Travel,” curated by Mr. Romil Pant of Thomas Cook India Ltd. This panel, with speakers including Nishith Saxena of Cruise Professionals and Isha Goyal of STIC Travel Group, delved into the emergence of small-ship and yacht expedition cruising among Indian travellers. In a C-suite talk, Harjit Singh of Travel Twist shared insights on “The Refined Journey: Evolving Expectations in Indian Luxury Travel,” emphasising that today’s Indian luxury travellers seek authenticity and transformational experiences beyond traditional opulence.
The discussion on “Responsible Tourism in India: Can Profit and Purpose Go Hand in Hand?” addressed the crucial topic of balancing economic growth with environmental and community well-being, featuring speakers such as Ajay Prakash of TAFI and Suma Venkatesh of IHCL. The shift to experiential travel was a recurring theme, with Ms. Gurleen Kaur of iDeCK Bangalore speaking on “The Rise of Experiential Travel: From Passive Tourist to Active Explorer” and a subsequent panel discussion on “Beyond the Itinerary: The Shift from Products to Experiences” featuring industry veterans like Sandeep Dayal.
The growing importance of India’s outbound market was highlighted in the panel “India’s Outbound Boom: Unlocking Opportunities for Global Destinations,” which included Ms. Sheetal Wadhwa Munshaw of Atout France and Christian Schoch of Switzerland Tourism. Mr. Nikhil Sharma of Radisson Hotel Group delivered a C-Suite Talk on “The Big Drivers: Weddings & MICE as Growth Engines for Hospitality,” emphasizing their significant contribution to the Indian hospitality industry.
The final session of Day 2 concluded with a fascinating discussion on “Film as Soft Power: India as a Global Filming Destination.” This expert panel included renowned film journalist Komal Nahta, Editor-in-Chief of Film Information; Lohita Sujith, Vice President of the Motion Picture Association (India); Aashish Singh, Producer at Red Chillies Entertainment; and Abhijeet Raja Patil, Chairman of Globe Hoppers. Their discussion highlighted how cinema serves as a powerful tool for promoting tourism and showcasing India’s diverse landscapes to a global audience. This session, like many others throughout ITB 2025, demonstrated the overall high quality of the event’s programming. The deep experience, expertise, and domain knowledge of all the speakers were clearly visible, enriching the discussions on a wide range of subjects. The caliber of these sessions was truly a main highlight of ITB 2025.
What’s next? Day 3 marks the grand finale of ITB India 2025. Attendees can expect more high-value networking and closing opportunities to strengthen business connections, providing a strong conclusion to the event.
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