( Jordan participated for the first time in SATTE 2026 – Jogesh Mudras)
BY DEBAJYOTI CHAKRABORTY
NEW DELHI | 25 FEBRUARY 2026
The 33rd edition of SATTE 2026 opened today at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, with strong participation from over 2,000 exhibitors representing more than 3,200 brands across 60+ countries. Organised by Informa Markets in India, Day 1 witnessed high-energy buyer–seller meetings, policy-led discussions, and global destination engagement, setting a decisive tone for the three-day exhibition.
High-Profile Inauguration and Vision-Led Conversations:
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Tourism and Culture Minister, Government of India, as the Guest of Honour. Other key dignitaries in attendance included Shri Suman Billa IAS, Director General & Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; Shri Kavinder Gupta, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh; Shri Pasang Dorjee Sona, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh; Ms Anita Mendiratta, Special Advisor to the Secretary General, UN Tourism; Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Chairman, Tourism Malaysia; Dr Upasna Arora, Chairperson, SEPC; Dr Subhash Goyal, Chairman, STIC Group; Mr Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India; and Ms Pallavi Mehra, Senior Group Director, Informa Markets in India amidst an august industry presence.
Mr. Vikas Gupta, Director Tourism, Jammu, Mr. Rajiv Mehra, General Secretary, FAITH, Padmashree Ajeet Bajaj, President ATOAI,Mr. Abbas Moiz, President TAFI, Mr. Sunil Kumar R, President TAAI, Mr. Ravi Gosain, President IATO, Mr. Sanjeev Mehra, President Skal India, Mr. Jagdeep Bhagat, President TIA, Mr. Subhas Goyal, President STIC Travel Group, Smt. Padma Rani Seela, CMO of Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority, Mr. Deepak Narvekar, DGM GTDC, Ms. Chavanart Thangsumphant, Ambassador of Thailand to India, together with Ms. Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing Asia and South Pacific; Mr. Chuwit Sirivajjakul, TAT Deputy Governor for Policy and Planning, Mr. Khajornrit Khwanmongkol, Director TAT Delhi, Mr. Nattachit Oonsiam, Director TAT Mumbai,Mr. Ahmad Johanif Mohd Ali, Director Tourism Malaysia, New Delhi, Mr. Rohini Prasad Khanal, Officiating Director Nepal Tourism Board, Mr. Nasrulla Adam, CCO Visit Maldives, Dr. Kaulesh Kumar, Secretary General ABTO were also present at SATTE inaugural day today.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Tourism and Cultural Minister, said, “Over the past three decades, SATTE has not simply organised exhibitions — it has shaped industry conversations, built enduring partnerships, and expanded the horizons of tourism across India and the wider Asia-Pacific region. What makes this moment particularly significant is that India’s tourism movement has clearly arrived on the global stage. And when the world searches for experiences of that depth and diversity, it inevitably discovers India. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi , tourism has moved from the margins of policy to the centre of national development. Through initiatives like Swadesh Darshan 2.0, we are building sustainable destinations rooted in local culture and ecology. Spiritual circuits are witnessing a historic revival, whether in Ayodhya, Ujjain, Kashi or other sacred cities, where rejuvenation and infrastructure upgrades have transformed pilgrimage tourism into a world-class experience. Through other initiatives such as Dekho Apna Desh, Indians are rediscovering India, and domestic tourism has reached unprecedented levels, energising Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. This strong internal demand makes India one of the most resilient tourism markets globally. To investors and industry leaders gathered here today, this year’s theme for SATTE, “An Opportunity Called India”, is not an aspiration; it is a reality. The coming decade will belong to nations that successfully combine culture with commerce, and India is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation.”
Held under the theme ‘An Opportunity Called India’, a key highlight of Day 1 was the special address by Anita Mendiratta, who spoke about India’s rising leadership role in shaping global travel narratives and its growing strategic relevance for international tourism stakeholders.
Inaugural sessions including Reimagining Incredible India!, India: The Next Travel Goldmine, India’s MICE Readiness: Evolving Landscape, Agency-Led Growth: Mastering the Digi Shift, and From Hype to Habit: How AI is Reshaping Global Travel were conducted through fireside chats and panel discussions. These conversations underscored tourism’s expanding economic contribution and its role in employment generation, infrastructure development, and regional growth. With participation from central and state tourism authorities, discussions centred on Tourism Vision 2047, air connectivity expansion, MICE infrastructure, sustainable tourism frameworks, and public–private collaboration.
Shri Suman Balla, IAS, DC & Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India, said, “As we gather for the 33rd edition of SATTE, I am reminded of how far this platform has come. What began as a promising industry gathering has evolved into a truly world-class exhibition, made possible by outstanding infrastructure like Yashobhoomi and the sustained efforts of the organisers. India today stands at the beginning of a long-term tourism growth cycle. With 20 million inbound visitors, 30 million outbound travellers, and a domestic market that has surged to nearly 3 billion journeys, demand is significantly outpacing supply. That makes this the right time and the right place to invest in India’s tourism story. Our focus at the Ministry is clear: enabling easier travel through digital innovation and infrastructure, and improving the ease of doing business through reforms and deregulation. For those betting on India: be ambitious, think long term, and seize the opportunity.”
Pasang Dorjee Sona, Minister of Tourism, Govt of Arunachal Pradesh, said, “SATTE is a powerful platform that brings the world of tourism together and gives emerging destinations the visibility they truly deserve. I come from Arunachal Pradesh where our diversity is our greatest strength. Though small in population, just 1.3 million people across 84,000 square kilometres, Arunachal holds extraordinary tourism potential. We are the land of the first sunrise in India, home to over 23 major tribes and rich cultural traditions. From tropical valleys to snow-clad mountains, from spiritual heritage to adventure landscapes, we offer experiences in every direction. With improved connectivity and government support, Arunachal is emerging as a must-visit destination.”
Kavinder Gupta, Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, said, “For over three decades, SATTE has served as a vital bridge connecting global travel professionals and shaping the direction of the tourism industry. Also, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi , Ladakh has witnessed unprecedented development, from improved electricity, healthcare and digital connectivity to strengthened air links and world-class road infrastructure, including the transformative Zoji La Tunnel. These advancements are ensuring year-round connectivity and opening new opportunities for tourism and local livelihoods. Thus, Ladakh today is not merely a destination; it is an emotional and transformative experience, and truly a must-visit for travellers worldwide.”
The conference sessions drew packed audiences, reflecting strong industry appetite for forward-looking dialogue and actionable insights.
Commenting on the opening day, Mr Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India, said, “India’s tourism story today is powered by triple-engine growth — domestic, outbound, and inbound. With over 303 crore domestic tourist visits annually, the domestic sector continues to anchor the industry, with experiential, spiritual, and regional travel trends accelerating growth in tier-2 and tier-3 destinations. While Indian outbound travel is projected to reach USD 42 billion, improved connectivity and initiatives like Chalo India are accelerating inbound recovery. SATTE mirrors this momentum.
By bringing together 2,000+ exhibitors from 60+ countries, the platform goes beyond being a trade show — it becomes a strategic marketplace where policy, partnerships, and business opportunities converge to shape how India travels and how the world engages with India,” he added.
Anita Mendiratta, Special Advisor to the Secretary General- UN Tourism, says, “We’ve heard remarkable statistics about growth at SATTE 2026, but the real story of India’s tourism future is not just about scale; it’s about people. It’s not only ‘Incredible India,’ it’s “Incredible Indians”, who give this nation its soul. The pandemic reminded us that tourism is not simply about destinations; it’s about human connection and shared experience. Today’s travellers want authenticity, community and purpose; they want to know their visit truly makes a difference. India’s living culture, welcoming communities and expanding connectivity uniquely position us for this moment. Together, we have the opportunity to build a tourism future rooted in values, pride and partnership.”
Domestic and International Participation Highlights India as a High-Value Source Market:
The momentum of domestic tourism is reflected in SATTE’s scale this year, with participation from 28+ Indian states. Complementing this, the show’s strong global presence—with representation from 60+ countries—highlighted India’s importance as one of the fastest-growing outbound and domestic travel markets. Destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and APAC engaged actively with Indian travel buyers, signalling strong confidence in India as a high-value source market.
Tourism boards from Thailand, Malaysia, Maldives, Jordan, Egypt, Hong Kong, Nepal, Jamaica, and Vietnam showcased new offerings, strategic partnerships, and targeted campaigns designed to attract the evolving Indian traveller.
Technology, Sustainability, and Emerging Travel Segments in Focus:
Day 1 also spotlighted technology-driven transformation across travel distribution and consumer engagement. Leading platforms such as EaseMyTrip, Cleartrip, TBO, and TRIPJACK demonstrated AI-enabled itinerary planning, mobile-first booking solutions, and data-driven personalization, reflecting the rapid evolution of India’s $25+ billion online travel market.
High-growth segments including MICE, cruise tourism, destination weddings, wellness, adventure, and experiential travel emerged as strong discussion points, supported by new infrastructure investments and curated offerings aligned with changing consumer aspirations.
SATTE 2026 further strengthened business enablement through Think Labs knowledge sessions, dedicated niche zones, and the Atithi Buyer–Seller Meet (in partnership with SEPC), designed to facilitate structured matchmaking and large-scale industry dialogue.
Sustainability remained a core theme across the showfloor, with increased participation from eco-conscious operators and initiatives promoting responsible tourism practices and reduced industry carbon footprint.
As SATTE 2026 progresses over the next two days, the focus will remain on structured business interactions, knowledge exchange, and cross-border partnerships, further reinforcing its position as South Asia’s leading travel trade exhibition and a key catalyst for India’s tourism growth trajectory.
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