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.


Rad Elan Brings Korean Party Energy to Worldmark Aerocity with Punter Soju

Rad Elan Brings Korean Party Energy to Worldmark Aerocity with Punter Soju

By Hariharan U

Published on December 31, 2025

Worldmark Aerocity turned into a vibrant cultural hotspot as the Korea Street Fair brought together global flavours, music and festive energy in New Delhi. Adding to the excitement, Rad Elan Distributors Pvt. Ltd. came on board as the exclusive liquor sponsorship partner, creating a high-energy bar experience that quickly became one of the event’s biggest attractions.

Across all three days, Punter Soju clearly emerged as the crowd favourite. Available in Original, Peach and Green Grape variants, the brand saw a strong response from visitors, ranging from first-time soju drinkers to regular enthusiasts. Long queues at the bar counters reflected its growing popularity, making Punter Soju one of the most talked-about offerings at the fair.

One of the standout highlights was the serving of Soju Bombs, paired with Taiwan Beer, which kept the bar buzzing well into the evenings. The playful and refreshing combination struck a chord with festival-goers and quickly became one of the most ordered drinks during the event.

Alongside Punter Soju, Rad Elan also showcased a selection of kombucha options and peach-based cocktails. These lighter, flavour-forward beverages proved especially popular among younger guests and those looking for refreshing alternatives, further strengthening the brand’s connect with an urban, globally curious audience.

The Korea Street Fair witnessed strong footfall and sustained energy throughout its three-day run, contributing to its overall success. The enthusiastic response reinforced Rad Elan’s growing presence in experiential brand activations and highlighted the rising appeal of soju culture in India’s metro markets.

More than just a food and beverage showcase, the event celebrated shared experiences, cultural exchange and social moments. With upbeat vibes, packed counters and memorable flavours, the Korea Street Fair once again demonstrated how global cultures continue to find a vibrant and joyful expression in India.


Central Park Hosts Annual Flower Show Celebrating Winter Blooms and Community Living

Central Park Hosts Annual Flower Show Celebrating Winter Blooms and Community Living

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 31, 2025

Central Park, a Gurugram-based real estate developer under the Bakshi Group of Enterprises, recently hosted its much-awaited annual Flower Show across Central Park Resorts and Central Park Flower Valley. Both developments were transformed into visually striking floral landscapes, welcoming residents and guests for a celebration that brought together nature, culture and community living.

One of Central Park’s signature community initiatives, the Flower Show featured an elegant display of winter blooms such as chrysanthemums, spider pompons, daisies and other seasonal varieties. Carefully curated floral installations, immersive thematic zones and lush pathways created a refined yet inviting atmosphere, encouraging residents to engage with nature while strengthening community bonds.

The celebrations began with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony led by senior citizen residents, setting a warm and inclusive tone. The event also featured soulful live performances that added to the festive ambience. A thoughtfully curated line-up of community-led activities followed, including children’s art sessions, sustainability-focused games, a community fashion show, Christmas tree decoration activities, talent showcases, live singing performances, DJ-led evenings and seasonal gourmet food experiences by St. Jerome, Central Park’s hospitality vertical.

image

The strong participation across both locations reaffirmed Central Park’s commitment to hosting the Flower Show as an annual tradition that reflects its broader vision of nurturing meaningful community connections within thoughtfully designed living environments.

Reflecting on the event, Vikram Singh, President, Central Park, said, “The Flower Show has evolved into a valued community tradition, reflecting our ongoing commitment to creating and maintaining environments where nature, thoughtful design, and shared experiences come together to enrich everyday living. The response from residents and visitors reinforces our belief that luxury is most meaningful when it fosters connection through nature, culture, and community.”

Adding to this, Neeraj Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, said, “In a growing township, building community is as important as building homes. Initiatives like this encourage shared responsibility, sustainable habits, and everyday interaction, helping create a place that evolves thoughtfully and remains meaningful for its residents over time.”

This year’s Flower Show once again highlighted Central Park’s focus on harmonising greenery, thoughtful design and vibrant community living, further strengthening its position as one of Gurugram’s wellness-forward residential destinations. The initiative underlined the brand’s commitment to curating meaningful experiences that go beyond the idea of luxury residences.


Malabar Gold & Diamonds Showcases 15th Edition of Brides of India at Omaxe Chowk, Delhi

Malabar Gold & Diamonds Showcases 15th Edition of Brides of India at Omaxe Chowk, Delhi

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 31, 2025

Malabar Gold & Diamonds, one of the world’s most trusted jewellery brands, hosted the Delhi edition of its flagship Brides of India campaign at its Omaxe Chowk, Chandni Chowk showroom. The showcase offered brides and their families a focused bridal jewellery experience inspired by North Indian wedding traditions, while bringing together signature bridal styles from across India under one roof.

Now in its 15th year, Brides of India has grown into one of the country’s most recognised bridal jewellery platforms. The campaign celebrates the diversity of Indian bridal heritage and highlights the emotional and cultural significance jewellery holds across communities and regions. Bridal jewellery continues to play a meaningful role beyond the wedding day, carrying family sentiment, tradition and value across generations.

Sharing his thoughts on the Delhi edition, Mr. M. P. Ahammed, Chairman, Malabar Group, said,

“Bridal jewellery is never an impulse purchase. It carries the weight of tradition, the pride of family and the emotion of a once-in-a-lifetime milestone. Through Brides of India, we bring together authentic bridal styles from across regions so that every bride can find jewellery that reflects her customs, complements her wedding wardrobe and remains meaningful long after the celebrations. For families in Delhi, Chandni Chowk has long been at the heart of wedding shopping, and this showcase is designed to make that journey more confident, comfortable and complete.”

Chandni Chowk, known for its long-standing association with wedding shopping, served as a fitting location for the showcase. The collection placed strong emphasis on North Indian bridal jewellery, featuring polki and kundan-inspired statement sets, layered neckpieces, bold bridal earrings, bangles and designs created for extended ceremonial wear.

Alongside regional favourites, customers could also explore curated bridal collections from across India, including kasavu-inspired gold jewellery from Kerala, intricate motifs from Bengal, regal polki craftsmanship from Rajasthan and temple-inspired gold designs from South India. The collection reflected the evolving nature of weddings today, where regional aesthetics blend seamlessly with personal expression.

The in-store experience presented jewellery as complete bridal looks, allowing families to visualise combinations across different wedding ceremonies. Customers were guided through curated pairings of necklaces, chokers, long necklaces, bangles, bridal earrings, mangalsutras and rings, with a strong focus on comfort, balance and wearability throughout long celebrations.

With Brides of India in Delhi, Malabar Gold & Diamonds continues to strengthen its connection with bridal shoppers by offering jewellery that respects tradition while adapting to modern wedding formats. Backed by transparent pricing, certified quality processes and reliable service support, trust remains at the core of the bridal experience the brand delivers.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.