The second edition of South India TRAVMART (SITM) was held on August 29–30, 2025, at the Accord Metropolitan Hotel, Chennai, marking another milestone in the growth of the B2B travel mart series. The event witnessed record participation, bringing together 58 exhibitors that included leading airlines, hotel chains, DMCs, cruise lines, state tourism boards, and international tourism boards.
Strong Industry Support
This year’s edition was headlined by Chhattisgarh Tourism as the Gold Sponsor, represented by a delegation of 11 service providers. The Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board – South India and Sri Lanka also extended its support, flying in four service providers and hoteliers from Malaysia to present their offerings. The collaborative participation underscored the growing relevance of South India as a vital market for both domestic and international destinations.
Inaugural Ceremony
The mart opened with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony graced by Sunil Kumar, President of TAAI, as Guest of Honour. He was joined by industry leaders including Hishamuddin Bin Mustafa, Director, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board – South India and Sri Lanka; T. Devaki (TAAI); S.P. Rajendran (TAAI); Ross Masood (GITC); C.K. Raja (TAFI); Dr. Nitin Mittal (NIMA); and P. Ashok Kumar (ADTOI). Their presence lent weight to the event’s positioning as a platform for meaningful collaboration within the travel trade community.
Cultural and Knowledge Showcases
The cultural segment offered a delightful glimpse of South India’s artistic heritage through a Bharatanatyam performance by Smritika and Yogitha of Sridevi Nrithyalaya, along with students of Guru Dr. Sheela Unnikrishnan, who presented a soulful Ganesh Vandana.
Complementing the cultural showcase, the mart featured a series of knowledge sessions. Presentations were delivered by Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, Ren Tours (Bhutan), Sasta Europe, Turtle Down Under, and TRAVMART Marketplace, giving participants insights into emerging destinations and evolving travel trends.
High-Impact B2B Networking
One of the core highlights of SITM–South India TRAVMART was the intensive B2B networking, which saw the participation of nearly 200 pre-registered buyers from across Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala. Over the course of the two-day event, these engagements resulted in more than 4,000 business meetings, showcasing the high level of demand and the opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships across the region’s travel ecosystem.
Adding to the lively atmosphere, the mart also hosted exciting lucky draws. Prizes included complimentary visa services and discount coupons from Airocity Visas, holiday packages to Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan from REZBOOK, a hotel stay package from Lexis Hotel Group Malaysia, and smartwatches from TRAVMART Marketplace.
The success of the second edition of SITM highlights the growing importance of South India as a hub for both outbound and domestic travel opportunities. By bringing together tourism boards, global service providers, and a wide network of travel buyers, the mart once again reinforced its position as a vital platform for business development, networking, and knowledge exchange.
