India International Travel Mart: Cochin's Grand Success and Upcoming Events in 2025

India International Travel Mart: Cochin's Grand Success and Upcoming Events in 2025

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 21, 2025

The much-anticipated India International Travel Mart (IITM) in Cochin concluded successfully on 19th January 2025, bringing together key stakeholders from the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. Hosted at Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Kadavanthra, this premier event showcased a variety of domestic and international travel destinations, services, and innovative offerings. With participation from over 100 exhibitors from 15 Indian states and 5 international destinations, IITM Cochin proved to be a remarkable platform for promoting tourism and facilitating crucial industry connections.

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The event attracted over 3000 buyers from across Kerala and was attended by industry veterans and dignitaries, including Mr. Sejoe Jose, Mr. UC Riyaz, Ms. Mariyamma Jose, Mr. K Rajkumar, and Mr. Ashraf. The exhibition highlighted destinations ranging from pilgrimages and adventures to wildlife and heritage tourism. Visitors could explore diverse travel options and discover exciting new business partnerships, making IITM Cochin the perfect networking hub.

As IITM celebrates its 25th Anniversary, the event took on even greater significance. Gujarat Tourism was the Partner State, while Lakshadweep and Chandigarh were the Feature States, drawing attention to their rich cultural offerings and tourism opportunities. The exhibition saw a mix of international destinations like Turkey, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, and more, all aggressively marketing their products and services.

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The theme of sustainable tourism took center stage at IITM, promoting eco-friendly initiatives and conservation efforts to protect India’s natural and cultural heritage. As the world embraces responsible travel practices, the exhibition highlighted community-based tourism projects and wellness tourism initiatives, inspiring travellers to tread lightly on the destinations they explore.

Sphere TravelMedia Directors, Rohit Hangal and Sanjay Hakhu, emphasized the importance of collaboration, innovation, and sustainable practices in shaping the future of the travel industry. Rohit Hangal expressed excitement about the exhibition being a hub for future growth, while Sanjay Hakhu highlighted India’s emerging role as a key player in the global travel market.

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With domestic tourism continuing to thrive, driven by an increase in disposable incomes and cultural shifts, the Indian travel industry remains resilient and adaptable. The recovery from the pandemic and the rise of the middle class further bolster this growth, providing an optimistic outlook for the future of tourism in India.

Upcoming IITM Events in 2025:
The success of IITM Cochin sets the stage for upcoming editions across the country, promising unparalleled opportunities for travel professionals and industry partners:

  • IITM Kolkata: 14 – 16 February 2025

  • IITM Ahmedabad: 7 – 9 March 2025

  • IITM Chennai: 16 – 18 July 2025

  • IITM Bangalore: 24 – 26 July 2025

  • IITM Delhi: 24 – 26 September 2025

  • IITM Mumbai: 9 – 11 October 2025

  • IITM Pune: 27 – 29 November 2025

  • IITM Hyderabad: 4 – 6 December 2025

Each of these editions will provide valuable opportunities to explore the best of travel, hospitality, and tourism, while further solidifying IITM’s legacy as India’s premier travel trade exhibition. Stay tuned for more updates as the future of travel continues to unfold at these upcoming events.

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Highlights of IITM Cochin:

  • Gujarat Tourism as Partner State

  • Lakshadweep and Chandigarh as Feature States

  • Over 100 exhibitors showcasing 15 Indian states and 5 international destinations

  • A focus on sustainable tourism, eco-friendly initiatives, and wellness tourism

  • A premier B2B platform for networking and forging new partnerships in the tourism industry

Note: The IITM Cochin edition has concluded, but be sure to attend the next events happening soon across other cities!


Urban Square Mall Brings Udaipur Together to Create 300-Foot Tricolour

Urban Square Mall Brings Udaipur Together to Create 300-Foot Tricolour

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 18, 2026

Urban Square Mall brought the people of Udaipur together for a unique Independence Day celebration, creating a 300-foot-wide Tricolour through the hand impressions of more than 10,000 people from across the city.

The community-led artwork was conceptualised and sketched by Urban Sketchers, led by renowned architect Sunil Ladha. Thousands of individual hand impressions came together to form one large Tricolour, turning the celebration into a shared expression of patriotism and community spirit.

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Measuring 300 feet in width and 15 feet in height, the artwork was divided into three 100-foot panels representing saffron, white and green. Each section was filled with the actual hand impressions of citizens, making the Tricolour a creation of the people of Udaipur.

The initiative saw participation from several community groups and organisations, including the Udaipur Pink Women Army led by Dr. Archana Shaktawat, BCI Tourism Group led by Shradhha Gattani and Mukesh Madhwani, Urban Sketchers, and schools including St. Matthew School, Prayas, Miranda and Royal Academy. Members of the Riverfront Nav Rattan community, RWAs such as Grace Crystal, customers and mall teams, along with social communities such as Let Us Hopp, also joined the initiative.

Adding to the meaning of the artwork, the mural featured visual references to iconic figures including Maharana Pratap, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, along with other freedom fighters. The artwork connected Udaipur's Mewar legacy with India's wider freedom movement, highlighting themes of courage, unity and national pride.

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Commenting on the initiative, Nandini Taneja, CEO, Bhumika Enterprises, said, “We are overwhelmed by the response and participation this initiative received from the people of Udaipur. What makes this Tricolour truly special is that it has been created by the hands of the community itself. More than 10,000 people came together, each leaving their own impression to create one powerful symbol of unity and patriotism. We thank every school, community, resident group, brand partner and individual who became a part of this celebration. At Urban Square Mall, we are proud to have provided a platform that brought the city together in such a meaningful and memorable way.”

The completed 300-foot Tricolour was displayed at Urban Square Mall, turning the destination into a vibrant Independence Day celebration and giving the people of Udaipur a shared symbol created by their own hands. The initiative captured a simple message: 10,000+ hands, one flag and one united spirit of India.


Godrej Home Lockers Teams Up With Dhurandhar: The Revenge and Ranveer Singh to Redefine Home Security

By Hariharan U

Published on March 21, 2026

Godrej has always stood for trust and protection in Indian homes, and its latest campaign makes that message impossible to miss. The Security Solutions Business of Godrej Enterprises Group has collaborated with the highly anticipated film Dhurandhar: The Revenge, featuring Ranveer Singh, to launch a co-branded digital campaign that puts Godrej home lockers squarely at the centre of the home security conversation.

The concept is a natural fit. Dhurandhar, as a word and as a character, carries weight: strength, resilience, and an unshakeable sense of dependability. Those are precisely the values Godrej has built its security portfolio around, and the collaboration uses the film's powerful narrative to bring that connection to life in a way that feels culturally relevant and immediately relatable.

A co-branded video featuring Ranveer Singh has been launched across digital platforms, blending cinematic storytelling with a strong product narrative that highlights the robustness and reliability of Godrej home lockers. The campaign is being amplified through YouTube, Connected TV, and Meta platforms, targeting audiences where the conversation about both entertainment and home safety is most active.

Pushkar Gokhale, Business Head of the Security Solutions Business at Godrej Enterprises Group, explained what drew the brand to this collaboration. "Dhurandhar: The Revenge as a concept represents strength, resilience, and dependability, values that are deeply embedded in our brand ethos. By collaborating with a cultural moment led by a dynamic personality like Ranveer Singh, we can bring alive the idea that true strength lies in securing what matters most. Our home lockers are designed to be that unwavering protector for Indian households."

The campaign arrives at a time when Indian consumers are increasingly thinking about both physical and digital safety at home. Godrej's Security Solutions Business has been responding to that shift with advanced home lockers that bring together modern technology and the kind of legacy trust that has been built over decades.

Positioning the product as the true Dhurandhar of the household is a smart and memorable way to make that case, and with Ranveer Singh delivering the message, the reach is guaranteed to be significant.


IHCL’s Gateway Brand Reaches 50-Hotel Milestone with Hyderabad Signing

IHCL’s Gateway Brand Reaches 50-Hotel Milestone with Hyderabad Signing

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 16, 2026

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, has announced the signing of a Gateway hotel in Somajiguda, Hyderabad. With this addition, the Gateway brand has reached a significant milestone of a 50-hotel portfolio. The upcoming property will be developed as a conversion project.

Speaking about the development, Ms Leah Tata, Vice President & Brand Leader, Gateway Hotels & Resorts, IHCL, said, “The re-imagined Gateway’s ethos is centred on the idea of creating a ‘Gateway to a Destination’, with hotels that are closely connected to the cultural fabric of the location. This strength of the brand has enabled it to rapidly scale to a 50-hotel portfolio, capturing the growth in business and leisure markets across metros cities, state capitals and commercial centres. With the addition of Gateway Hyderabad, the brand debuts in the city and we are delighted to partner with Mr. D. Siva Rama Raju and Mr. DVS. Soma Raju for this project.”

Located in the heart of Hyderabad, the 225-key Gateway Somajiguda, Hyderabad will offer a range of dining and recreational facilities. The hotel will feature an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, a bar and a lounge. Leisure amenities will include a modern gym, health club, swimming pool and treatment rooms.

The property will also cater to meetings and events with extensive conference infrastructure. It will include 11 banquet halls, with the largest spanning approximately 10,000 square feet, supported by multiple meeting rooms, making it suitable for both corporate gatherings and social events.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr D. Siva Rama Raju and Mr DVS. Soma Raju said, “We are delighted to collaborate with IHCL for this project. We look forward to bringing a refreshed hospitality experience to Somajiguda.”

Somajiguda is one of Hyderabad’s prominent commercial and residential areas, known for its corporate offices, retail establishments, and healthcare institutions. Its central location makes it a strategic destination for business travellers as well as leisure visitors.

With the addition of this project, IHCL will have eight hotels in Telangana, including three currently under development, further strengthening its footprint in the region.

Mr D. Siva Rama Raju, an entrepreneur from Andhra Pradesh, began his professional journey in agriculture and civil contracting before establishing himself as a leading real estate developer and hotelier in Hyderabad. He is also recognised for his philanthropic and religious contributions.

Mr DVS. Soma Raju, an MBA graduate from the University of Dubuque in the United States, has gained hands-on hospitality experience both in the U.S. and India. He previously led the development and operations of a hotel in Hyderabad and later co-founded a large-scale 999-bed medical tourism project.

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