The second edition of SITM–South India TRAVMART 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.

For years, Tokyo has reigned supreme on the bucket lists of Indian travellers heading to Japan. But according to new Agoda data, there’s a twist in the story this year: while searches for Tokyo grew a healthy 59% between May and August 2025, Osaka stole the spotlight with a staggering 158% surge.

Agoda reports a 68% overall year-on-year rise in Indian searches for Japan, showing that the country is no longer just about Tokyo’s neon glow or Kyoto’s temples. From Osaka’s street food stalls to Okinawa’s beaches, Indians are discovering that Japan has far more to offer, and they’re hungry for it.

Osaka: India’s New Darling In Japan

Move over, Tokyo; Indians have a new crush. Osaka’s appeal is easy to understand. It’s a city that thrives on energy, from the bustling food heaven of Dotonbori to the family-friendly thrills of Universal Studios Japan. And when travellers want a break from the city buzz, Nara’s friendly deer park is just a short trip away.

Osaka is also less intimidating than Tokyo since its more warm, paced, walkable, and a little more relaxed. For Indian families, couples, and groups of friends, it’s the perfect mix of city adventure and easy day trips.

Beyond Tokyo And Kyoto: Indians Branch Out

While Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto remain the holy trinity of Japanese travel, Agoda’s data shows Indian travelers are widening their gaze:

Why The Japan Boom Now?

“Japan’s mix of modern cities, cultural heritage, and natural beauty is striking a chord with Indian travelers like never before,” said Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda. And he’s right. Japan offers something for everyone. According to Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Delhi Office, a record 233,000 Indian tourists visited Japan between January and December 2024, a jaw-dropping 40% surge in Indian tourists. And why wouldn’t it? Whether it’s anime dreams, cleanliness that would put us all to shame, or just a love for sushi, Japan has never been hotter on the Indian travel radar.

Travellers also made the most of a weak yen, which had slumped to the lowest level in 2024 since 1986, and people haven’t been afraid of opening their wallets to snap up bargains from hotels and destinations. And if Agoda’s numbers are any indication, 2025 is the year Indians are embracing Japan like never before. Tokyo may always be iconic, but it’s Osaka, with its neon nights, savoury takoyaki, that is winning our hearts.

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Inside Travel Group co-founder Alastair Donnelly added: “India has long been a missing piece of our Asia puzzle.

“This is our first new destination to launch since 2022, and we believe that with India, with our partners on the ground, the people we work across the country and with the cultural adventures we are able to create, we have something incredible.

“We have a team of five India travel specialists, with experience and knowledge from all over the country, but all united by their passion for the country and culture, and knowing what makes travel great.”

India sales and product specialist Brandon Clements joined the team earlier this year after 13 years at A&K as an India specialist.

“Jess and the team have shown that there is a conscious effort to offer something very different to what is already out there on the market,” said Clements.

“The cultural adventures on site are a snippet of what is possible, but they provide inspiration.”

Donnelly added: “As a B Corp that prides itself on using ‘travel as a force for good’, we hope that we can encourage people to explore beyond the usual, get beneath the surface and give back to communities across the country that would benefit from cultural adventure tourism.”