Pune and Hyderabad Successfully Host India International Travel Mart 2025

Pune and Hyderabad Successfully Host India International Travel Mart 2025

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 11, 2025

The Pune and Hyderabad editions of the India International Travel Mart (IITM) concluded on a successful note, offering a strong platform for travel and tourism stakeholders to connect, collaborate, and explore new opportunities. Held from 27–29 November 2025 in Pune and 4–6 December 2025 in Hyderabad, both events marked an important milestone as IITM continues its journey of strengthening partnerships and shaping the tourism landscape for 25 years.

With exhibitors from national and international tourism boards, travel companies, hotels, airlines, and allied sectors, the two editions highlighted India’s growing influence as a global tourism hub. Both events attracted a wide range of participants whose presence added value to the discussions, networking sessions, and destination showcases.

The Pune inauguration was graced by industry leaders including Mr. Narendra Dev Bhatta, Member – Executive Committee, Nepal Tourism Board; Mr. Aijaz Qaiser, Joint Director, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism; Mr. Amit Kumar Sharma, President, Pune Hotelier’s Association; Mr. Shahbehram Rabbani, President, Skal International Pune; Sushil Kumar Singh, Chapter Chairman, ADTOI – UP and IATO Bihar; Mr. Aniket Kelkar, Secretary, Travel Agents Association of Pune; Mr. Mohan Shedge, Treasurer, Travel Agents Association of Pune; Ms. Payal Joshi, Sr. Trustee, Travel Agents Association of Pune; Mr. Navin Mahajan, Trustee, Travel Agents Association of Pune; and Mr. V G Kelkar from the Travel Agents Association of Pune.

The Hyderabad edition was inaugurated by Smt. Valluru Kranthi, IAS, Managing Director, Telangana Tourism Development Corporation Limited and Director (FAC) – Department of Tourism; Mr. M Hishamuddin, Director, Tourism Malaysia; Mr. N S N Mohan, Vice President and President Elect, SKAL International; Mr. Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI; Mr. Valmiki Kishan, Chairman, Tourism Committee – APFCCI and IATO; and Mrs. Sujana Kumar, Vice President of TOAT.

More than 400 exhibitors participated across the two cities, with representation from over 15 countries and numerous Indian states. Tourism Malaysia and Nepal Tourism Board participated as Partner Countries, showcasing their offerings and strengthening ties with the Indian market.

The events featured a strong business networking component, with hosted buyer programs attracting travel agents from key markets such as Nashik, Kolhapur, and Aurangabad. These programs facilitated more than 10,000 one-on-one business meetings, giving exhibitors significant visibility and collaboration opportunities.

Visitor engagement remained high, with more than 5,000 travel agents attending across both cities. Destination presentations, cultural showcases, and interactive sessions added energy to the platform and encouraged participants to explore new-age travel segments such as adventure, wellness, and culinary tourism.

IITM also highlighted the evolving trends in Indian travel, supported by the growth of the middle class, rising disposable incomes, and shifting travel preferences. The increasing interest in domestic travel after the pandemic has played a strong role in revitalising the sector, with travellers rediscovering the country’s cultural and natural diversity.

Sphere TravelMedia Director, Rohit Hangal, said, “The Pune and Hyderabad editions of India International Travel Mart have reaffirmed our commitment to being the foremost platform for the travel and tourism industry in India. The enthusiastic participation from exhibitors and the overwhelming response from visitors highlight the growing dynamism of the sector.”

Sphere TravelMedia Director, Sanjay Hakhu, added, “As we successfully conclude the Pune and Hyderabad editions, we are reminded of the resilience and creativity that define the travel industry. These events have not only facilitated meaningful business connections but also inspired new ideas in sustainable and experiential tourism. The growing outbound travel market in India presents vast possibilities, and IITM aims to connect global destinations with diverse Indian travellers.”

With participation from over 20 Indian states including Telangana, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Goa, along with international destinations such as Turkey, Malaysia, Botswana, Kenya, Vietnam, Bali, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan, and Maldives, IITM continues to strengthen its presence as a major travel and tourism platform in India.

The successful completion of the Pune and Hyderabad editions further reinforces IITM’s commitment to nurturing industry connections, opening opportunities, and promoting growth across India’s vibrant travel sector.


FIFA World Cup 2026: Paraguay Stuns Germany as Late-Night Food Orders Rise in India

FIFA World Cup 2026: Paraguay Stuns Germany as Late-Night Food Orders Rise in India

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 1, 2026

Paraguay produced one of the biggest upsets in FIFA World Cup 2026 history by defeating four-time champions Germany 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the Round of 32 clash ended 1-1 following 120 minutes of play.

The victory marks Paraguay's biggest-ever World Cup triumph. The South American side, which last reached the quarter-finals in 2010 and had not qualified for the tournament since, booked its place in the Round of 16 with a memorable performance.

Paraguay took the lead late in the first half through a header from Julio Enciso, before Kai Havertz equalised for Germany in the 52nd minute. The match remained level through extra time, forcing a penalty shootout. Jose Canale converted the first sudden-death penalty, while goalkeeper Orlando Gill made two crucial saves to seal Paraguay's historic victory.

In another Round of 32 fixture, Brazil edged past Japan with a 2-1 victory to progress to the next stage. Morocco also booked its place in the Round of 16 after defeating the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.

While football fans continue to enjoy thrilling knockout action, the tournament is also influencing late-night food habits in India. With FIFA World Cup matches being played at 12.30 am, 3.30 am and 6.30 am IST, food delivery platforms and restaurant chains have witnessed a rise in overnight orders.

According to data shared by Swiggy Food Marketplace, nearly half of all late-night food orders placed between 11 pm and 3 am during June 11 to June 24 were made between 11 pm and midnight, making it the busiest hour for deliveries on match nights.

Football fans largely preferred comfort food, with pizzas, burgers, fries and beverages topping the order list. The most popular items included Pepper Barbecue Chicken Pizza Mania, Crispy Chicken Burger Peri Peri Meal, Crispy Veg Burger Peri Peri Meal and Garlic Breadsticks.

Among metro cities, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai recorded the highest number of late-night football-related orders, while Surat, Thiruvananthapuram and Patna emerged as the leading cities among India's growing markets.


Aditya Birla Housing Finance Expands Delhi Presence with Shahdara Branch

Aditya Birla Housing Finance Expands Delhi Presence with Shahdara Branch

By Hariharan U

Published on June 30, 2026

Aditya Birla Housing Finance Limited (ABHFL), a subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited, has expanded its presence in New Delhi with the launch of a new branch in Shahdara. With this addition, the company now operates four branches in the capital, strengthening its distribution network in one of India’s key housing finance markets.

Shahdara, a well-connected and steadily developing residential locality, continues to witness consistent housing demand supported by strong metro and rail connectivity and proximity to key commercial hubs across Delhi and the NCR region. ABHFL’s new branch aims to improve accessibility to tailored housing finance solutions for homebuyers in the area.

The company offers a wide range of housing finance products including affordable housing loans, prime housing loans, construction finance, and loans against property. These services cater to salaried individuals, self-employed professionals, and emerging income groups, supported by a digital-first onboarding system that enables faster approvals and improved transparency.

To mark the launch, ABHFL has introduced a limited-period offer featuring zero login fees along with spot loan sanctions of up to ₹50 lakh. The offer is valid from June 24 to June 30, 2026, and is designed to encourage quicker and more affordable access to home financing.

Speaking on the expansion, Pankaj Gadgil, MD & CEO of Aditya Birla Housing Finance Limited, said that New Delhi remains a key growth market for the company. He added that ABHFL is focused on deepening customer engagement by combining its expanding physical presence with strong digital capabilities to simplify the home loan journey.

The expansion aligns with ABHFL’s broader strategy of strengthening its retail lending portfolio while promoting financial inclusion and delivering a smoother, customer-centric “Happy Home Loan Journey” for borrowers across India.


Ginger Strengthens Presence with New Hotels in Siwan and Agra

Ginger Strengthens Presence with New Hotels in Siwan and Agra

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 30, 2026

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India's largest hospitality company, has expanded the footprint of its Ginger brand with the opening of Ginger Siwan, Chapra Road in Bihar and Ginger Agra Fatehabad Road in Agra.

Commenting on the expansion, Ms. Deepika Rao, Executive Vice President – Hotel Openings & New Businesses, IHCL, said, "With the launch of Ginger hotels in Siwan and Agra, Ginger continues to strengthen its presence across India’s commercial and cultural cities. Siwan is rapidly emerging as a center for trade and commerce in Bihar, while Agra remains one of the country’s most iconic tourist destinations with strong demand from both domestic. The openings of Ginger Siwan and Ginger Agra reflect our strategy to expand in high-potential markets."

Located on Fatehabad Road, Ginger Agra Fatehabad Road features 70 keys, offering modern amenities and cityscape views. Guests can dine at Qmin, Ginger's signature in-house restaurant, which serves a selection of Indian, Mughlai and international cuisine. The hotel also includes a bar, providing a space for guests to relax and socialise.

In Bihar, Ginger Siwan, Chapra Road offers 30 keys designed for convenience, comfort and hassle-free stays. The hotel also features Qmin, the brand's all-day dining restaurant, serving a mix of local favourites and international dishes.

Both Ginger Siwan and Ginger Agra Fatehabad Road are equipped with banquet halls and meeting venues, making them suitable for corporate events as well as social gatherings.

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