India Plans Bigger Tourism Showcase at IFTM 2027 to Boost Global Travel Partnerships

India is setting the stage to showcase its presence in international tourism by building a bigger pavilion at IFTM 2027, extended involvement of Indian states and tourism players, and participation in the global travel market. Talking exclusively to Travel And Tour World at IFTM 2026, Pushpam Kumar, Senior General Manager at Incredible India and Director of India Pavilion at IFTM 2026 said the country wants to grow opportunities for inbound and outbound tourism and foster international industry collaboration.

Kumar said there was increased interest from markets like Japan and Sri Lanka but confirmed the presence at the world’s leading tourism shows, such as Berlin, Japan and Madrid.

India Sees Strong International Tourism Opportunities at IFTM 2026

India’s participation in IFTM 2026 has provided an important platform for connecting Indian tourism businesses with international travel professionals.

According to Kumar, the exhibition has created opportunities across both inbound and outbound tourism. International visitors have expressed interest in travelling to India, while participating Indian tourism partners have gained opportunities to engage with overseas businesses.

He described the response to the India Pavilion as tremendous, highlighting the interest shown by visitors and industry representatives throughout the event.

The exhibition has also allowed participating Indian tourism stakeholders to explore potential business relationships and establish contacts within the international travel industry.

For Incredible India, the event represents more than an opportunity to showcase destinations. It provides a meeting point where tourism businesses can develop relationships and explore possibilities for future cooperation.

Kumar indicated that the encouraging response has strengthened plans for India’s participation in the next edition.

Japan and Sri Lanka Show Interest in India’s Buddhist Tourism Circuit

Religious and cultural tourism emerged as an important area of international interest during India’s participation at IFTM 2026.

Kumar specifically identified India’s Buddhist Circuit as a tourism offering attracting attention from international markets.

He mentioned Japan and Sri Lanka among the countries showing interest in Buddhist tourism opportunities in India.

The interest reflects the potential for India to engage international travellers through tourism experiences connected with Buddhism and its cultural heritage.

Kumar’s comments also highlighted the importance of presenting specialised tourism offerings to overseas markets rather than relying solely on general destination promotion.

The Buddhist Circuit provides one such focus for international engagement.

Although Kumar did not disclose visitor numbers, confirmed bookings or specific tourism agreements, he emphasised that the interest expressed during the exhibition was encouraging.

The discussions demonstrate how specialised tourism themes can create opportunities for Indian tourism stakeholders to engage with travellers and industry partners from different countries.

Incredible India Prepares a Larger Pavilion for IFTM 2027

One of the most significant announcements during the interview concerned India’s plans for IFTM 2027.

Kumar confirmed that preparations are already underway to expand the country’s participation at the next exhibition.

He explained that the proposed larger pavilion would aim to bring together all Indian states and additional tourism stakeholders under a broader national presentation.

According to Kumar, discussions and planning have already begun with India’s Ministry of Tourism.

The intention is to create a more extensive platform for showcasing India’s tourism opportunities and strengthening engagement with international industry professionals.

He expressed confidence that India would become a major participant at the next edition of IFTM.

The proposed expansion follows the positive response received during the 2026 exhibition.

However, Kumar did not specify the pavilion’s proposed size, investment requirements or the number of participating organisations.

The plans therefore represent an ambition currently under development rather than a finalised exhibition arrangement.

India Targets Berlin, Japan and Madrid for Wider Tourism Engagement

India’s international tourism strategy also includes participation in major travel industry exhibitions beyond IFTM.

During the interview, Kumar identified ITB Berlin, JATA in Japan and a tourism exhibition in Madrid as part of the country’s planned international engagement.

These events would provide additional opportunities for Indian tourism representatives to interact with travel businesses and stakeholders from different international markets.

Kumar presented the proposed exhibition programme as part of a broader effort to cover the global tourism landscape.

The approach places international trade events at the centre of India’s plans to strengthen tourism visibility and business relationships.

Participation in multiple exhibitions could allow Indian tourism stakeholders to maintain conversations with overseas partners across different markets.

Kumar did not announce specific promotional budgets, partnership agreements or visitor targets associated with these exhibitions.

Nevertheless, his remarks indicated a clear intention to maintain and expand India’s presence at important international tourism gatherings.

Tourism Creates Economic Value While Strengthening Cultural Connections

Discussing the IFTM 2026 theme, The Value of Travel, Kumar emphasised tourism’s economic and cultural importance.

He explained that international visitors contribute to the revenue generated by destinations and support the wider tourism economy.

However, he also argued that tourism’s value extends beyond financial benefits.

Travellers bring their cultural experiences and perspectives into the destinations they visit, creating opportunities for interaction between different societies.

According to Kumar, these exchanges contribute to cultural understanding and social development.

His comments presented inbound tourism as an activity that benefits destinations through both economic contributions and cultural engagement.

This perspective also explains why India continues to welcome international travellers and promote its tourism offerings overseas.

For Kumar, the value of tourism lies in its ability to connect people while generating economic opportunities.

India’s Next Tourism Chapter Focuses on Global Visibility

India’s plans in 2027 are in line with the ambitions shared by Kumar in IFTM 2026.

The key idea behind the expansion is a bigger national pavilion, a greater number of stakeholder registration and more ongoing discussions in international tourism events.

The market from Japan, Sri Lanka and other markets has also raised opportunities for the promotion of India’s cultural and religious tourism experiences through the Buddhist circuit.

The interview did not identify any definite investment figures, new flight services or tourism treaties. Rather, it set the pace of India’s international tourism outreach.

Having already co-promoted the Ministry of Tourism among the Incredible India delegates, the tour operators are now gearing up for a more powerful lobby at IFTM 2027. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_cuYL0zD_s

Kumar sent the message loud and clear: India is poised to return on a larger scale, to recruit more tourism stakeholders into its global promotional mix, and to foster stronger relationships in the travel ecosystem worldwide.

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