BY DEBAJYOTI CHAKRABORTY
JAIPUR | 18 SEPTEMBER 2026
The sixth edition of the Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart (RDTM) kicked off with a grand inauguration at the historic Amer Fort, drawing nearly 300 travel agents from across India alongside more than 700 local properties and tour companies.
Speaking as the chief guest, Shuchi Tyagi, Tourism Secretary for the Government of Rajasthan, highlighted the vital role of home-grown travel. “Domestic tourism is one of the key pillars of India’s tourism growth, and Rajasthan is among the country’s top destinations,” Tyagi stated, noting that the state is experiencing steady, positive growth in this sector. She emphasized that new government policies are actively being implemented to attract investment, strengthen the tourism ecosystem, encourage local participation, and add value across the entire tourism chain. This year, the event is anchored to the theme: ‘Stories, Journeys, Smiles: One State, Two Marts, Endless Opportunities.’
Tyagi further observed a major shift in traveller preferences, noting that modern tourists are moving away from conventional hotspots in search of authentic, experience-based travel. She pointed out Rajasthan’s massive potential to expand into niche markets—including wedding, rural, wildlife, eco-tourism, wellness, adventure, spiritual, monsoon, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism. The state’s current strategy focuses on transforming Rajasthan into a year-round destination by highlighting lesser-known areas, developing new tourist circuits, and promoting local experiences. According to Tyagi, this approach aims to distribute the economic benefits of tourism directly to local communities, artisans, entrepreneurs, homestay operators, and guides across various regions.
Rajasthan aims to double its GDP through tourism by developing region-specific, experience-based products and expanding travel beyond traditional circuits. Speaking at the Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart (RDTM), Tourism Commissioner Rukmani Riar emphasized that accessing emerging domestic markets requires continuous coordination between the government, the hospitality industry, and local communities. She highlighted RDTM’s vital role in overcoming practical challenges and designing new travel itineraries.
Supporting this vision, Surendra Singh Shahpura, President of the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR), noted a significant post-COVID surge in domestic tourism, driven by popular sites like the Khatu Shyamji Temple in Sikar. He urged stakeholders to promote Rajasthan’s unexplored destinations to better connect future generations with the state’s rich culture and history.
Tarun Bansal, Secretary General of FHTR, opened the event by emphasizing that the Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart (RDTM) serves as a vital catalyst for tourism growth. He noted that the initiative significantly boosts national GDP, generates widespread employment opportunities, and builds lasting goodwill.
Adding to this, Kuldeep Singh Chandela, the immediate past president of FHTR and RATTO, shared insights into the two-day exhibition’s theme, revealing that more than 700 hoteliers are participating to showcase their diverse tourism offerings.
The event also featured discussions on the evolving landscape of Rajasthan tourism. Tejbir Singh Anand (President of ATOAI), Caroline Moore (Horse India), and Ashish Gupta (Consulting CEO of FAITH) explored the sector’s ongoing transformations and its strong future outlook.
During the event, two promotional videos were screened: one prepared by the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR) highlighting lesser-known local destinations, and another by the Rajasthan Tourism Department. Dignitaries at the event also launched the FHTR Magazine, the HRAR Magazine, and the Stepwell Project Report. As part of the Kamaicha Project—an initiative dedicated to preserving cultural heritage—artists Sandeep Ratnu and Niaz Khan were presented with the Kamaicha, a vital string instrument in Rajasthan’s traditional folk music.
The program, moderated by Radhika Pachar, concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by FHTR Senior Vice President Rajendra Singh Pachar. Other notable attendees included RATO President Mahendra Singh Rathore, FHTR Vice President Gyan Prakash, FHTR Treasurer Rajendra Singh Jodha, and various association members.
The 6th edition of the Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart (RDTM) officially commenced at the B.M. Birla Convention Centre in Jaipur, marked by a formal inauguration ceremony at 10:00 a.m. The high-profile event was attended by senior dignitaries from the Tourism Department, Government of Rajasthan, alongside key representatives from the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR) and various hospitality sectors.
Following the opening ceremony, a series of structured, pre-scheduled B2B business sessions began at the sellers’ designated exhibition booths. This year’s travel mart sees record-breaking engagement, bringing together approximately 300 domestic travel agents and over 700 properties and tour operators from Rajasthan. With over 21,000 corporate meetings anticipated across the two days, the mart serves as a premier commercial catalyst to showcase and scale Rajasthan’s diverse experiential tourism, hospitality products, and destinations to the national market.
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