The India International Travel Mart (IITM) is set to make a grand return in July 2025 with two flagship editions in South India—Chennai from 16th to 18th July at the Chennai Trade Centre, and Bangalore from 24th to 26th July at Tripura Vasani, Palace Grounds. With a legacy of over 100 successful editions, IITM continues to lead the way as one of India’s most trusted and longest-running travel trade shows.

Now in its 26th year in these cities, IITM Chennai and IITM Bangalore are poised to once again become the region’s most influential platforms for tourism marketing, networking, and business development. These events will gather a diverse group of national and international tourism boards, travel operators, hospitality brands, travel technology providers, and industry stakeholders under one roof.

IITM’s strength lies in its focus on meaningful B2B engagement. Over three days, both events will feature curated exhibitions, hosted buyer programs, and interactive sessions that allow professionals to exchange ideas, discover new destinations, and build valuable business connections.

Speaking on the significance of the events, Mr. Sanjay Hakhu, Director of Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions, said, “Over the years, India International Travel Mart has become a landmark event in South India’s tourism calendar. Our Chennai and Bangalore editions are not just events; they are powerful platforms for driving business, discovering new opportunities, and strengthening industry relationships.”

Mr. Rohit Hangal, Director of Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions, added, “We are proud to present South India’s largest and most influential travel exhibitions 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.”

The exhibitions will showcase dedicated zones for domestic and international destinations, luxury and experiential travel, sustainable tourism, and travel technology. Key attractions will include presentations on AI-driven travel planning, virtual travel experiences, and contactless solutions, highlighting how technology is shaping the future of travel.

India’s tourism market presents a massive opportunity for investment, especially in South India. Chennai, known for its strong outbound travel segment and interest in spiritual and nature-based experiences, and Bangalore, home to tech-savvy, high-spending travelers, are both important markets for the global travel industry.

Recent statistics show that India’s outbound travel market is one of the fastest-growing globally. With over 96 million passport holders, visa-free access to 57 countries, and a projected outbound spend of $44 billion by 2032, the potential for tourism stakeholders is immense.

IITM 2025 aims to serve as a launchpad for B2B partners to showcase their offerings, gain real-time market insights, and explore collaborations across sectors. This year, there will also be a strong emphasis on sustainable travel, with various exhibitors presenting eco-friendly and responsible tourism solutions.

Whether you’re a destination marketer, travel service provider, hotelier, or technology enabler, IITM 2025 is the place to connect, collaborate, and create new business opportunities in India’s vibrant travel industry.

Gurugram has taken a bold step toward blending urban life with inner peace through the launch of Eternal Oasis, a sprawling new-age centre for spiritual well-being, cultural experiences, and emotional growth.

Nestled on the city’s prestigious Golf Course Road, Eternal Oasis covers over 100,000 sq. ft., offering a thoughtfully designed space where arts, mindfulness, and community thrive together. From music appreciation and art therapy to practical workshops on mindfulness, relationship dynamics, emotional intelligence, and anger management, the centre is a holistic haven for seekers and changemakers alike.

Spread across three expansive floors, Eternal Oasis is equipped with three large multipurpose halls, a spacious art gallery, 30 guest rooms, and a range of flexible areas for exhibitions, performances, conferences, and workshops. The facility is built to accommodate intimate gatherings as well as large community events, making it ideal for individuals, collectives, and corporate groups looking to host meaningful engagements.

The vision behind this space comes from Umesh Mathur, Founder and Director of the Foundation For Learning Technologies - an NGO focused on spiritual education and purpose-driven content. Mathur identified a major gap in the availability of structured education for emotional, spiritual, and psychological well-being, which led to the birth of Eternal Oasis.

"Eternal Oasis is not just a venue. It is a vision to promote life skills in a structured manner," shares Mathur. "Most schools do not have a subject that teaches you how to cope with your own mind. Gurugram needs a space where culture, arts, spirituality, and community can flourish together."

He further emphasized the need to nurture mindful awareness especially among professionals in Gurugram’s fast-paced corporate environment. The centre aims to provide a much-needed pause, an enriching escape that promotes inner empowerment and a more connected way of living.

Going beyond traditional spiritual centres, Eternal Oasis is designed for motivational talks, self-development seminars, experiential workshops, and creative wellness programs. The management is actively seeking partnerships with organizations and individuals to bring in activities related to meditation, music, art, life coaching, emotional wellness, dance, fitness, and more.

With its inclusive approach and deep-rooted vision, Eternal Oasis is set to become a landmark in Gurugram’s growing landscape of holistic living and conscious community-building.

Passengers using the Chennai International Airport are raising concerns about the poor quality of service at the airport lounges maintained by Travel Food Services (TFS). Complaints have emerged that travelers are being denied entry to the lounge even when they present valid debit or credit cards, leading to a wave of dissatisfaction online and offline.

Typically, after completing security checks, many passengers access the airport lounge by paying a small fee through their debit or credit cards. Lounges offer amenities like cozy seating, vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals, free Wi-Fi, newspapers, flight information screens, and TV access, making them a popular choice to relax before flights.

However, TFS, the company responsible for maintaining lounge services at both the domestic and international terminals of Chennai Airport, is now under fire.

"I paid ₹2,000 to access the TFS lounge at the D1 Terminal of Chennai International Airport, but the staff refused entry citing false reasons. It was a complete insult. My bank allows access to this lounge, but they ignored that," shared a disgruntled passenger.

Another user on social media criticized the hygiene and food quality, saying, "The food in the lounge was in very poor condition. Fruits weren’t clean and even basic food options were missing. Why are they still managing this lounge?"

With rising discontent, many are urging the Airport Authority to reevaluate its contract with TFS. The poor experience has left travelers frustrated and has highlighted the gap between expectations and the services offered.

The Airport Authority has responded, stating that immediate action is being taken based on the complaints posted online. "We advise the respective outlets if there are concerns with service and food quality. A decision to change vendors is under review due to the issues reported about TFS," an official said. Any further problems within the lounge area will be reported to the concerned company for resolution, the authority added.