IITM Cochin 2026 opens with strong outbound focus

Highlights India booming outbound travel and global connectivity

IITM Cochin, the first travel event of the year, began on a positive note at Kochi in Kerala with strong participation from domestic tourism stakeholders and growing interest from international destinations.

Featuring over 150 exhibitors from over 15 Indian states and 10 international destinations and showcasing a wide spectrum of travel offerings such as pilgrimages, adventure, culture, wildlife and experiential tourism, the India International Travel Mart (IITM) Cochin has opened.

In a press statement, the organisers of IITM say that the event marks the biggest-ever showcase in Kochi and serves as a key business platform for travel agencies, hoteliers, tour companies and other industry stakeholders. The event enables participants to interact, network and explore collaborations, partnerships and joint ventures across domestic and international markets.

The statement adds that the expo was inaugurated in the presence of senior industry veterans, including Hishamuddin Bin Mustafa, Director, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, Ekta Kabra and Pawan Kumar Jain, Additional Directors, Rajasthan Tourism, Mariyamma Jose, Chairperson, TAAI, Paulose Mathew, TAFI, Abdul Nazir, President, Tour Operators Association of India, Jose Pradeep, President, Kerala Travel Mart Society and Rajkumar, CEO, Kerala Travel Mart Society, U C Riyaz, Convenor, FICCI KESC Tourism Committee, along with representatives from Jammu and Kashmir Tourism, including Peer Zahid Ahmad and Praveen.

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According to the statement, Tourism Malaysia is the partner country for the 2026 edition. Tourism stakeholders from states including Telangana, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Kerala are also participating, actively promoting their destinations alongside international participants from Vietnam, Malaysia, Bali, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan.

On sustainability, the statement notes that IITM 2026 places strong emphasis on responsible tourism and wellness. The exhibition highlights eco-friendly initiatives, community-based tourism projects and conservation efforts aimed at protecting natural and cultural heritage of India.

They add that the growth of the middle class, higher disposable incomes and changing cultural attitudes have contributed to the recent spike in tourism. Post-pandemic travel demand has further strengthened the industry resilience, with travellers seeking new experiences and meaningful breaks from routine.

The statement also highlights the outbound travel trends, as India continues to be among the fastest-growing outbound markets in the post-pandemic period. Multiple new airports across the country are catering to rising outbound demand. Around 7.2 pc of Indian population currently owns a passport, with the majority issued in the past decade. As of mid-December, 96 million Indians held passports, a figure expected to cross 100 million this year.

The organisers add that Indian outbound travel market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 11 pc to surpass USD 44 billion by 2032. They say that Indian passport holders now enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 57 countries, while Indian tourists remain among the highest spenders per overseas visit, with outbound visitor spend expected to rise from USD 23 billion in 2018 to USD 45 billion by 2028.

“Over the years, India International Travel Mart has become landmark event in South India tourism calendar. Our Kochi edition is not just an event, they are powerful platforms for driving business, discovering new opportunities and strengthening industry relationships in one of India’s fastest-growing travel markets,” says Sanjay Hakhu, Director, Sphere Travelmedia and Exhibitions.

“We are proud to present Kochi’s largest multi-destination travel exhibition once again. With increasing participation from across India and abroad, IITM continues to highlight the diversity, vibrancy, and potential of the travel and tourism sector in the region,” says Rohit Hangal, Director, Sphere Travelmedia and Exhibitions.