Hectic B2B meetings dominate Day 2 of KITE 2025

Focus on socio-economic benefits of tourism & promoting off-beat destinations

On the second day of the second edition of the Karnataka International Travel Expo, KITE 2025, a hectic schedule of pre-fixed B2B meetings was organised between 150 local exhibitors and almost 400 hosted buyers from India and overseas. The focus of the event, according to Karnataka Tourism, is to position Karnataka as a premier tourism destination and enhance its socio-economic impact.

Pre-fixed B2B meetings between about 150 local tourism stakeholders from Karnataka and almost 400 hosted buyers from across India and 29 other countries dominated the agenda on Day 2 of the second edition of Karnataka International Travel Expo (KITE) 2025 that is currently underway in Bengaluru.

The event, positioned as the largest such B2B tourism meet in India, was inaugurated on Wednesday by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

According to the organisers, about 15,000 meetings, between the exhibitors of Karnataka comprising travel agents, tour operators, resort, homestays and other services and almost 400 hosted buyers from 30 countries were scheduled during the event.

“The previous edition was held in 2019, and at that time, it was a success despite the presence of Covid-19. Now, after five years, we are hosting the event again, and the response this time has been very positive. Currently, we have nearly 125 foreign buyers and 250 Indian buyers. Additionally, with media and other attendees, the total number of participants has exceeded 500. The event features an impressive lineup of exhibitors from Karnataka, attracting a mix of both international and domestic buyers,” K Syama Raju, President, Karnataka Tourism Society, tells tells India & You.

The Day 2 of the event was inaugurated by Karnataka Tourism Minister H K Patil, along with Secretary, Tourism, Salma K Fahim and Director Tourism and Managing Director KSTDC, Rajendra KV.

The exhibitors say that they have had a hectic day with lots of productive meetings.

“The morning has been quite busy with a lot of meetings and hopefully the second half is all equally good. It is a good mix of both international and domestic so far. All the FTOs here are showing a lot of interest. Some of them who know about the destination and our properties are meeting us and some of them are new who do not know about it are enquiring about it.” says Debopriyo Sen, General Manager, Sales, Tamara Leisure Experiences, one of the exhibitors at KITE 2025, tells India & You.

In a statement, Karnataka Tourism says that KITE 2025, organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, and the ‘Karnataka Tourism Society,’ promises to be a platform that brings together stakeholders from across the tourism and hospitality industries.

The statement adds that events like KITE enhance Karnataka’s global visibility, facilitates business opportunities, drive tourism revenue and employment, promote off-beat locations in the state as tourism destinations and position the state as a global travel hub.