SATTE 2026 commenced on Wednesday, attended by senior tourism officials and key industry stakeholders
Anita Mendiratta
The 33rd edition of the South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE), hosted by Informa Markets in India, opened in New Delhi, bringing together over 2,000 exhibitors from 60 plus countries and positioning India firmly as a high growth inbound tourism destination through strong global participation, policy led dialogue and international buyer engagement.
In a press statement, the organisers say that in the event held under the theme An Opportunity Called India, a key highlight of Day 1 was the special address by Anita Mendiratta, Special Advisor to the Secretary General, UN Tourism, who spoke about India’s rising leadership role in shaping global travel narratives and its growing strategic relevance for international tourism stakeholders.
According to the statement, the inauguration was attended by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Tourism and Culture Minister, Government of India, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, state governments, global tourism bodies and leading industry stakeholders.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Government of India, inaugurates the event with an official address
The statement says that inaugural sessions such as Reimagining Incredible India!, India: The Next Travel Goldmine and India’s MICE Readiness were held through panels and fireside chats, focussing on Tourism Vision 2047, air connectivity, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) infrastructure, sustainability and public private collaboration, with packed audiences underlining strong global interest in India’s inbound tourism potential.
“Over the past three decades, SATTE has not simply organised exhibitions, it has shaped industry conversations, built enduring partnerships and expanded the horizons of tourism across India and the wider Asia-Pacific region. What makes this moment particularly significant is that India’s tourism movement has clearly arrived on the global stage. And when the world searches for experiences of that depth and diversity, it inevitably discovers India. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, tourism has moved from the margins of policy to the centre of national development. Through initiatives like Swadesh Darshan 2.0,” says Shekhawat.
“We are building sustainable destinations rooted in local culture and ecology. Spiritual circuits are witnessing a historic revival, whether in Ayodhya, Ujjain, Kashi or other sacred cities, where rejuvenation and infrastructure upgrades have transformed pilgrimage tourism into a world-class experience. Through other initiatives such as Dekho Apna Desh, Indians are rediscovering India and domestic tourism has reached unprecedented levels, energising Tier II and Tier III cities,” adds Shekhawat.
Suman Billa
“As we gather for the 33rd edition of SATTE, I am reminded of how far this platform has come. What began as a promising industry gathering has evolved into a truly world-class exhibition, made possible by outstanding infrastructure like Yashobhoomi and the sustained efforts of the organisers. India today stands at the beginning of a long-term tourism growth cycle. With 20 million inbound visitors, 30 million outbound travellers and a domestic market that has surged to nearly 3 billion journeys, demand is significantly outpacing supply. That makes this the right time and the right place to invest in India’s tourism story. Our focus at the Ministry is clear, enabling easier travel through digital innovation and infrastructure, and improving the ease of doing business through reforms and deregulation. For those betting on India, be ambitious, think long term, and seize the opportunity,” says Suman Billa, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India.
Pasang Dorjee Sona
“SATTE is a powerful platform that brings the world of tourism together and gives emerging destinations the visibility they truly deserve. I come from Arunachal Pradesh where our diversity is our greatest strength. Though small in population, just 1.3 million people across 84,000 sqkm, Arunachal holds extraordinary tourism potential. We are the land of the first sunrise in India, home to over 23 major tribes and rich cultural traditions. From tropical valleys to snow-clad mountains, from spiritual heritage to adventure landscapes, we offer experiences in every direction. With improved connectivity and government support, Arunachal is emerging as a must-visit destination,” says Pasang Dorjee Sona, Minister of Tourism, Govt of Arunachal Pradesh.
Kavinder Gupta
“For over three decades, SATTE has served as a vital bridge connecting global travel professionals and shaping the direction of the tourism industry. Also, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ladakh has witnessed unprecedented development, from improved electricity, healthcare and digital connectivity to strengthened air links and world-class road infrastructure, including the transformative Zoji La Tunnel. These advancements are ensuring year-round connectivity and opening new opportunities for tourism and local livelihoods. Thus, Ladakh today is not merely a destination it is an emotional and transformative experience and truly a must-visit for travellers worldwide,” says Kavinder Gupta, Governor of the Union Territory, Ladakh.
Yogesh Mudras
“India’s tourism story today is powered by triple-engine growth domestic, outbound and inbound. With over 303 crore domestic tourist visits annually, the domestic sector continues to anchor the industry, with experiential, spiritual and regional travel trends accelerating growth in Tier II and Tier III destinations. While Indian outbound travel is projected to reach USD 42 billion, improved connectivity and initiatives like Chalo India are accelerating inbound recovery. SATTE mirrors this momentum,” says Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets, India.
The organisers says SATTE 2026 has participation from over 28 Indian states, showcasing the depth and diversity of India’s tourism offerings to international buyers. Strong global participation from destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Asia Pacific region underlined confidence in India as a priority inbound destination.
They adds tourism boards from Thailand, Malaysia, Maldives, Jordan, Egypt, Hong Kong, Nepal, Jamaica and Vietnam engaged actively with Indian stakeholders to build two way tourism flows and long term partnerships.
The statement adds that the opening day also highlighted technology driven transformation supporting inbound travel, with platforms such as EaseMyTrip, Cleartrip, TBO and Tripjack demonstrating Artificial Intelligence enabled itinerary planning, mobile first booking solutions and data driven personalisation to improve destination discovery and visitor experience. High growth segments including MICE, cruise tourism, destination weddings, wellness, adventure and experiential travel were key focus areas, aligned with global demand trends.
As SATTE 2026 continues over the next two days, the focus will remain on deepening international partnerships, knowledge exchange and deal making, reinforcing its role as South Asia’s leading travel trade exhibition and a key catalyst for positioning India as a competitive, high value inbound tourism destination.