The 15th edition of the Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB) 2026 is currently underway in Jaipur, having opened with its inaugural ceremony on April 26 at Jai Mahal Palace Hotel.
Organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in partnership with the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the three-day event will continue with exhibitions and structured B2B meetings at Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre.
Centred on high-value, experience-led tourism, GITB 2026 aims to accelerate immersive travel, while driving investment, employment, and innovation across the sector.
The event has drawn 185 hosted international buyers from 50 countries and is expected to facilitate over 10,000 B2B meetings over the course of the programme, showcasing its significance as a key platform for promoting India’s inbound tourism.
Delivering the welcome address, Jyotsna Suri, Past President of FICCI and CMD of The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, emphasised the importance of collaborative industry efforts to strengthen India’s global tourism positioning. She said, “GITB reflects the strength of sustained public-private partnership and continues to elevate India’s presence on the global tourism map through meaningful engagement.”
Diya Kumari, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, said, “GITB showcases Rajasthan’s leadership in tourism while fostering global partnerships. Tourism is a key growth engine, driving employment, investment, and inclusive development. Through focused initiatives, from heritage restoration and stepwell conservation to new circuits like Shekhawati and improved infrastructure, we are positioning Rajasthan as a year-round, experience-driven destination.”
She added, “We reaffirm our commitment to make Rajasthan a world-class tourism destination, driving investment, employment, and innovation, and invite global partners to be part of this journey.
Reinforcing the policy framework, V. Srinivas, Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan, said, “Tourism is central to the vision of a ‘Viksit Rajasthan’, with Tourism Policy 2025 enabling investment, ease of doing business, and expansion across emerging segments such as homestays, film tourism, and eco-tourism, strengthening India’s broader tourism ecosystem.”
Aligning with the national vision, Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, stated that India aims to double tourism’s contribution to GDP from 5.22 per cent to 10 per cent over the next decade. This growth will be supported by expanding infrastructure, enhanced air connectivity, and rising global demand.
Highlighting the evolution of the platform, Shuchi Tyagi, Secretary, Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, noted that GITB has evolved into a strategic marketplace connecting Rajasthan’s tourism offerings directly with global buyers, backed by infrastructure readiness and investment facilitation.
A key highlight of the opening day was the release of the EY Knowledge Paper, “Reimagining Inbound Tourism in India – Trends, Technology and Transformational Opportunities: Towards Incredible India 4.0”, offering perspectives on the evolving tourism landscape.
The exhibition is being held today and tomorrow (April 27–28) at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre, with extensive networking taking place between exhibitors, hosted buyers and delegates. The second edition of the FICCI Travel and Excellence Awards is also scheduled for today.
