India Aims to Revitalize Inbound Tourism Post ITB Berlin Participation

New Delhi, India's participation in the recently held ITB Berlin, one of the world's premier travel trade shows, provided a platform to strengthen existing partnerships and establish the nation as a year-round global destination, according to the tourism ministry.

The event took place from March 3-5, 2026, at the Messe Berlin exhibition center in Germany.

As a key meeting point for the global tourism industry, ITB Berlin facilitated important networking opportunities for Indian travel stakeholders.

Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat led the Indian delegation and engaged with several leaders during the event.

During a press conference, the minister emphasized that Germany is one of India's most significant tourism partners.

In 2025, Germany was the 8th largest source of foreign tourists for India, with 260,000 arrivals.

Shekhawat also held productive meetings with tourism leaders from Indonesia and Germany, discussing ways to enhance tourism flows, promote sustainable travel, and improve air connectivity.

Additionally, he met with Shaikha Al Nowais, Secretary General of UNWTO, to explore avenues for sustainable tourism development.

India's strong presence at ITB Berlin highlighted its goal of boosting inbound tourism and establishing itself as a favored travel destination.

The event provided a crucial platform for building partnerships, creating new business relationships, and promoting innovative travel experiences.

The India Pavilion showcased the country's rich cultural heritage through activities like mehendi, block printing, and calligraphy, offering visitors a glimpse into its diverse tourism landscape.

Representatives from various destination management companies and state governments attended the event to promote their offerings to an international audience.

Moreover, the Union tourism minister launched two short films produced by Netflix, celebrating India's vibrant culture and culinary diversity, as part of a partnership to showcase Indian destinations globally.

Through the 'Incredible India' platform, the ministry and Netflix plan to release ten promotional videos highlighting India's unique facets, inspired by popular films and series.

State governments from regions like Rajasthan, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu participated to promote their latest tourism offerings to the global market.