Gujarat CM opens 3-day Tourism Trade Fair with states showcasing destinations
Gandhinagar, Aug 6
More than 900 exhibitors and tourism departments from across India have come together at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar for the three-day Travel and Trade Fair, which opened on Thursday as Gujarat seeks to strengthen its tourism sector and expand business opportunities within the travel industry.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the fair, which will run from August 6 to 8, in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi. Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte and Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj also attended the inaugural ceremony.
The event, organised in Gujarat for the past two decades, is a business-to-business (B2B) travel trade exhibition that brings together tourism departments, destination promoters and industry stakeholders.
According to the state government, the platform has contributed to the growth of Gujarat's tourism ecosystem by facilitating business partnerships and connecting participants from across the travel and hospitality sectors.
The fair assumes additional significance this year after the Gujarat government declared 2026 as the state's "Year of Tourism".
Officials said the event is expected to provide an opportunity to showcase Gujarat's tourist destinations and tourism development prospects to a wider national audience while also promoting collaboration between states.
In a statement issued on the occasion, officials said: "The Travel and Trade Fair also reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of promoting tourism while advancing the concept of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' by encouraging greater engagement among states."
Following the inauguration, CM Patel, Dy CM Sanghavi and the visiting ministers toured the exhibition, visiting stalls set up by several states, including Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and Goa.
They interacted with exhibitors and reviewed information on tourism promotion schemes, travel offerings and initiatives being implemented by the participating states.
The exhibition features tourism departments from different parts of the country alongside more than 900 exhibitors representing various segments of the travel and tourism industry.
The three-day event is expected to facilitate business networking, destination promotion and discussions on opportunities for tourism development across India.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Wonderful to see states collaborating for tourism. Goa and Uttarakhand ministers attending shows national unity. As someone who travels frequently, I'd love to see better connectivity and affordable packages for middle-class families from these collaborations.
900+ exhibitors is impressive! Gujarat has so much potential - from Rann of Kutch to Statue of Unity. Hope the fair also focuses on sustainable tourism practices and not just business numbers. Our heritage sites need preservation along with promotion.
Last year's fair was a hit, got to know about many offbeat destinations. This year expecting more regional food stalls and cultural performances. Tourism isn't just about places, it's about people and their stories. 👏
Good step but honestly, hosting fair is easy. Need to work on ground reality - cleanliness at tourist spots, safety for women travelers, and transparency in pricing. All show, no substance won't work in long run. Hope officials take note.
As a travel blogger, I appreciate this initiative. States competing and collaborating for tourism means better experiences for us travelers. Would love to see more digital promotion and virtual tours for those who can't visit physically! 🌏
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