GITB 2025 fuels Rajasthan’s $350B vision; India eyes global MICE & long-haul tourism, ET Government

Rajasthan: ‘Meet in India’ Conclave and GITB 2025 inaugurated in JaipurThe Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB) 2025, held in Jaipur on May 5 and 6, is expected to significantly bolster Rajasthan’s economy, aligning with the state’s ambitious vision to become a $350 billion economy by 2030.

The event brought together key stakeholders from India’s travel, hospitality, and tourism sectors, along with hundreds of foreign tour operators, signalling a renewed push to position India as a must-visit long-haul destination. Over 270 Foreign Tour Operators (FTOs) from 53 countries took part, interacting with representatives from 10 Indian state tourism boards.

These included Rajasthan, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi. The event served as a melting pot for India’s tourism landscape, showcasing everything from heritage experiences and wellness tourism to eco-tourism and modern travel infrastructure.

A major highlight of this year’s GITB was the “Meet in India Conclave 2025,” which zeroed in on the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism segment.

Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, laid out the government’s vision to transform India into a top MICE destination globally.The minister highlighted iconic infrastructure such as Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi in Delhi, which have elevated India’s capacity to host world-class events. He also stressed the need to integrate MICE tourism into the broader national tourism strategy, seeing it as a catalyst for economic growth, employment generation, and regional development.

Deputy chief minister Diya Kumari highlighted the state’s focus on positioning itself as a global hub for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism. She emphasised that such initiatives are integral to diversifying Rajasthan’s tourism offerings and attracting high-spending international travelers.

While discussing with the ET government Mansi Nimbhal, Odisha Tourism Director signalled the state’s ambition to tap into international travel markets more aggressively. Odisha is looking to position itself as a year-round destination, rich in heritage and natural beauty, and ready to welcome global travelers.

More than 11,000 pre-scheduled B2B meetings took place during the event, creating a solid platform for Indian tourism businesses to connect with international buyers. The event also saw interest from niche sectors like adventure tourism, film tourism, spiritual circuits, and luxury wellness travel. Several stakeholders also took advantage of the platform to launch new products, announce partnerships, and explore collaborative ventures.

On day one of GITB, a research report titled “How to Grow Inbound Tourism in India — Unlocking Long Haul Opportunities” was released. The findings of the report underlined the untapped potential of inbound tourism, especially from long-haul markets such as North America, Western Europe, and Australia.

The growing influence of social media platforms—such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok—on travel decisions, with nearly 40% of travelers reportedly using these platforms for planning trips. The report recommended creating a unified digital campaign, involving influencers and personalised marketing, to attract global audiences.

The study also proposed forming a dedicated tourism task force, building strategic partnerships with global travel platforms, and simplifying visa processes to make India more tourist-friendly.

• Published On May 7, 2025 at 02:34 PM IST

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