The 14th edition of The Great Indian Travel Bazaar was held from 4th to 6th May 2025 at Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre, Rajasthan. The first day saw the presence of prominent personalities like Union Minister of Tourism & Culture, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ms. Diya Kumari, Vice Chairperson, NITI Aayog, Shri Suman Bery and Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, Smt. Pravati Parida at the Meet in India Conclave organized by The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI). More than 300 delegates and participants attended the event consisting of International MICE Companies/Operators, Domestic MICE Companies/Professional Conference organizers, Speakers, Foreign Tour Operators specialized in MICE invited for GITB, Secretaries from States / UTs, Media, Stakeholders from various Tourism and Hospitality Associations, Local Stakeholders (Hotels, DMCs, Associations, GITB, officials from States / UTs, exhibitors etc.) etc.
Message from the Leaders:
Union Minister of Tourism & Culture, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, addressed the conclave and said that India’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) Industry is set to be a major economic driver, generating high-quality jobs. Speaking at the conclave, Shri Shekhawat said, India’s MICE industry is rapidly emerging as a global powerhouse, fuelled by robust economic growth, world-class infrastructure, and strong government backing. States across the country are unlocking tourism opportunities in their own unique ways — and now, it’s time for India to position itself firmly on the global MICE map.
Vice Chairperson, NITI Aayog, Shri Suman Bery, emphasized, “The vision laid by Hon’ble PM during India’s G20 presidency has opened new pathways. It is now up to states to build on this momentum. From deregulation to concert tourism, India has the opportunity to become a global hub for events and experiences.”
Highlighting Rajasthan as an emerging MICE destination, Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ms. Diya Kumari, said, “Rajasthan is not just a heritage destination — it is a vibrant, future-ready hub for MICE tourism. With state-of-the-art convention centres, seamless connectivity, digital infrastructure, and world-class hospitality, we are building a dynamic ecosystem that blends tradition with transformation” Elucidating Rajasthan’s commitment to MICE not as a short-term effort, but as a strategic priority to drive growth, innovation, and global visibility, the Deputy CM of Rajasthan said, “Rajasthan is ready — not just to welcome conferences, but to offer an unforgettable, enriching experience.”
Deputy Chief Minister, Smt. Pravati Parida, while addressing the gathering said, whether it’s conferences or exhibitions, India is ready to welcome the world—and Odisha stands proudly among the leading states. From the spiritual serenity of Puri to the architectural marvel of Konark, our state offers not only robust infrastructure but also a rich cultural tapestry for all to experience.
Goa & Odisha Tourism Mark a Strong Presence:
Goa Tourism made a notable impact at The Great Indian Travel Bazaar 2025, under the leadership of Mr. Sanjeev Ahuja, IAS, Secretary, Tourism, Government of Goa, along with Shri Kedar Naik (Director of Tourism), Mr. Gavin Dias (General Manager, GTDC), and Mr. Rajesh Kale (Deputy Director – South).
Mr. Ahuja participated as a distinguished panelist in the high-profile session titled “Catalysing Growth: How Tourism Policies are Attracting MICE Opportunities”, sharing the stage with senior tourism officials from Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Odisha. He presented Goa’s progressive policy initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, and marketing strategies that are propelling the state’s emergence as a key MICE tourism hub in India.
In a significant parallel event, Odisha Tourism organized a high-level stakeholder consultation on MICE Tourism, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Parvati Parida. The session saw participation from over 45 key industry stakeholders, including representatives from Event Management Agencies (EMAs), Foreign Tour Operators (FTOs), and Destination Management Companies (DMCs).
The dialogue aimed to address operational challenges and unlock new avenues for policy-driven MICE incentives, reinforcing Odisha’s commitment to positioning itself as a competitive and culturally rich MICE destination.
“We understand the operational bottlenecks in the tourism sector and are committed to resolving them through policy-driven MICE incentives, backed by a strong Ease of Doing Business framework,” she stated, extending an invitation to FTOs and DMCs to explore Odisha as a destination.
India’s MICE Market Growth:
The India MICE market generated a revenue of USD 49,402.6 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 103,686.5 million by 2030 while registering a growth of 13% CAGR. This growth is fuelled by the recent developments in MICE-ready destinations coming up in cities like Varanasi, Khajuraho, Kochi etc. Over the last decade, India has shown a tremendous growth curve in infrastructure with be it the construction of roads over 1,50,000 km, new railway stations, semi high-speed trains, inland waterways, more than 150 operational airports and over 2.48 million hotel rooms. Further, India’s hosting of G20 nations has reinforced India’s growing venue network and regional tourism potential.