By Susmita Ghosh in Mumbai
Mumbai once again played host to the much-anticipated Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) 2025, Asia’s largest and most influential travel trade show, held from January 31 to February 2 at Jio World Convention Centre.
With an impressive line-up of over 2,100 exhibitors, the event brought together tourism boards from more than 80 countries and 30 Indian states and union territories. Over 40,000 qualified buyers and industry professionals converged to explore global destinations, ground breaking innovations, and unparalleled business opportunities.
OTM 2025 was inaugurated by Chief Guest Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism and Culture, Government of India, alongside a distinguished panel of dignitaries. The opening session, moderated by Kamiya Jani, Founder of Curly Tales, featured insightful discussions on the future of Indian tourism and its immense growth potential.
The event stood out as the preferred travel trade show for several countries, with participation from Cambodia, France, Georgia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, the Maldives, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, Tanzania, the Cayman Islands, Uganda, the USA, Visit Brussels, and Visit Sarajevo.
Additionally, major global destinations such as Azerbaijan, Egypt, Greece, Fiji, Malaysia, Mauritius, Moscow, Nepal, Peru, Qatar, Sri Lanka, St. Petersburg, Thailand, Pattaya, Sarawak, and Tokyo made their presence felt, reinforcing OTM’s role as a critical hub for travel industry networking and collaboration.
India’s vibrant domestic tourism industry was a key highlight, with participation from 30 states and union territories. Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala took centre stage, showcasing their unique cultural heritage, breath taking landscapes, and innovative tourism initiatives. This strong focus on domestic travel aimed to promote inter-state tourism and unveil lesser-known gems within the country.
The event featured engaging discussions with top travel industry leaders:
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism and Culture, Government of India, underscored the significance of outbound tourism in driving India’s economic growth.
H.E. Mr. Haim Katz, Minister of Tourism, Israel, emphasized the growing tourism ties between India and Israel, inviting Indian travellers to explore Israel’s diverse attractions.
Mr. Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Malaysia, shed light on Malaysia’s strategic initiatives to attract Indian tourists and foster cultural exchanges between the two nations.
With a dynamic mix of international and domestic exhibitors, industry experts, and decision-makers, OTM 2025 successfully provided a comprehensive platform for networking, business collaborations, and thought-provoking discussions. As the travel industry continues to evolve, this event reaffirmed its position as a crucial hub for fostering global tourism partnerships and shaping the future of travel.