Bengaluru to host ‘Karnataka International Travel Expo 2018’

Dotted with spice and coffee plantations, jungles teeming with tigers and Asia’s biggest population of elephants, and famous beer craft, Karnataka is a mixing pot of cultures

Showcasing the rich cultural heritage and high-tech offerings that Karnataka offers, the Department of Tourism in the state is set to host the inaugural edition of ‘Karnataka International Travel Expo’ (KITE), from February 28-March 2, 2018, at the Bangalore International Exhibition Center (BIEC).

Karnataka a southern state of India has over the years contributed towards being a large part of the country’s ever-growing tourism arrival figures.

Thus to further promote Karnataka as a diverse and fascinating tourist destination, the Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, announced the inaugural edition of ‘Karnataka International Travel Expo’ (KITE), from February 28-March 2, 2018, at the Bangalore International Exhibition Center (BIEC).

The expo is set to offer a B2B platform with over 400 registered buyers and media from over 25 countries exploring business opportunities for discerning travel and tourism products.

“Karnataka is home to a large and exciting portfolio of globally acclaimed tourism products with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, splendid wildlife, resplendent nature, and virgin beaches. The Karnataka International Travel Expo, being held for the first time will provide the impetus to the inbound travel and tourism industry and would enhance marketing efforts of Karnataka Tourism to promote our destinations to the travel trade from all over the world,” said Priyank Kharge, Minister for Tourism, IT & BT, Government of Karnataka.

The event is supported by major travel trade and hospitality association in India such as the Association of Domestic Tour Operators Association of India (ADTOI), Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), Indian Association of Tour Operators, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), SKAL, FKCCI, Karnataka Tourism Forum, and Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI), amongst others.

An exclusive Karnataka pavilion at the event will showcase different facets of the state including its festivals, beaches, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, coastal regions, pilgrimage destinations, wildlife and national parks, medical tourism, destination management companies, travel agents and tour operators, handicrafts, cultural vistas, etc.

The event will attract over 1,000 delegates from more than 25 countries for the three-day event, facilitating over 10,000 pre-matched appointments and bringing together qualified international buyers and sellers for face-to-face meetings, educational forums and networking functions.

“Karnataka, with its diverse range of products is fast emerging as one of the most interesting and productive states for the travel trade industry both for leisure and business travel. A globalised one-stop sourcing platform is vital for stakeholders within the tourism industry to effectively reach out to the Karnataka travel market,” said TK Anil Kumar, secretary Tourism, Government of Karnataka.