OTM 2026, Asia’s leading travel trade show, officially opened at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai on 5 February 2026, reinforcing India’s position as one of the world’s most influential outbound travel and tourism markets. Recognised by NielsenIQ as the top travel trade exhibition in India and Asia for two consecutive years, OTM 2026 has brought together the global tourism ecosystem under one roof, with over 2,200 exhibitors from more than 60 countries, 45+ National Tourism Organisations, and a projected footfall of over 50,000 travel trade professionals across three days. As international destinations, airlines, hotels and tourism boards increasingly prioritise India, OTM 2026 emerges as a definitive platform shaping the future of global travel engagement with the Indian market.
OTM 2026 at a Glance
- Event: OTM 2026 – Asia’s Leading Travel Trade Show
- Location: Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai
- Dates: 5–7 February 2026
- Scale: 2,200+ exhibitors from 60+ countries
- Attendance: 50,000+ travel trade visitors, including 1,000+ hosted and VIP buyers
- Focus Areas: Outbound travel, global tourism partnerships, aviation connectivity, MICE, corporate travel, destination marketing and travel technology
- Key Feature: 50,000+ pre-scheduled B2B meetings and the OTM Forum featuring global tourism leaders and policymakers
India Moves to the Centre of Global Destination Strategy
The inauguration of OTM 2026 on Day 1 underscored a clear shift in the global travel industry ’s engagement with India. No longer viewed as an emerging market, India has firmly positioned itself as a central outbound travel growth engine, driven by rising disposable incomes, expanding international air connectivity and growing demand for long-haul, experiential and premium travel. This transition was visibly reflected across the exhibition floor, with global destinations showcasing long-term, high-value trade strategies focused on Indian travellers.
Day 1 Inaugural Programme Sets the Tone for OTM 2026
Day 1 commenced with the official inauguration of OTM 2026, followed by a VIP walk-around and exhibitor interactions, leading into the flagship Inaugural Programme titled “India Takes Its Place on the Global Travel Stage.” The exhibition was inaugurated by Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Chairman, Tourism Malaysia; Richard Duval, Minister of Tourism, Mauritius; H.E. Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Sarawak; and Hon. Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Sri Lanka. The session was moderated by Tanya Khanijow.
The afternoon featured the CEOs’ Lunch, followed by the panel “India at 100 Million: The Global Race to Capture the Next Big Traveller Wave,” which brought together destination leaders from Switzerland, Mauritius, the Cayman Islands, Uzbekistan, Malaysia and France. Day 1 concluded with a market-focused discussion on demand and disruption in India’s online travel sector, featuring CXOs from Cleartrip, MakeMyTrip and Paytm Travel, moderated by Virendra Jain (VIDEC).
Global Destinations Deepen Engagement with India
OTM 2026 features strong official participation from destinations across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Americas and Oceania. With nearly 50 global tourism boards officially present, this edition reflects one of the deepest levels of international destination engagement seen in the Indian market. Alongside established outbound markets, several destinations previously considered niche or aspirational are now positioning India as a priority growth market, with many participating exclusively at OTM 2026.
Aviation Connectivity Takes Centre Stage
Highlighting the role of air connectivity in unlocking outbound travel growth, Malaysia Airlines is participating as the Partner Airline at OTM 2026, showcasing its network reach, premium offerings and India-focused travel solutions. Several other leading carriers, including Air India, are also participating prominently, reinforcing aviation’s central role in supporting India’s expanding global travel footprint.
From Exhibition Floor to Measurable Business Outcomes
Beyond destination and airline participation, OTM 2026 continues to strengthen its positioning as a focused B2B market-access platform. The exhibition brings together hotels and resorts, destination management companies, cruise operators and travel technology providers, enabling structured engagement through pre-scheduled meetings, on-ground interactions and curated networking. With over 50,000 pre-scheduled B2B meetings expected across three days, outcome-driven conversations remain central to the platform.
As part of its broader international vision, Fairfest Media has recently expanded its global footprint with the acquisition of WTE Miami, extending its market-access platform beyond Asia and strengthening trade links between India, Asia and the Americas.
What Lies Ahead at OTM 2026
Following a strong opening day, the agenda across Days 2 and 3 moves into sharper, segment-led discussions covering leisure demand, corporate travel, destination weddings, marketing and distribution. The programme also explores experience-led tourism, business mobility, travel technology and the evolving role of intermediaries, before concluding with the Valedictory and Awards Function.
Commenting at the inauguration, Sanjiv Agarwal, Chairman & CEO, Fairfest Media Ltd., said, “OTM was created to reflect the reality of global travel today, where India is no longer an emerging opportunity but one of the most sought-after and strategic travel markets globally. The participation we see at OTM 2026, from established destinations to emerging and exotic ones, clearly demonstrates how the world is repositioning itself around the Indian traveller. OTM continues to serve as the leading travel show in Asia – one where this engagement takes shape in a focused, world-class setting.”
As OTM 2026 unfolds over three dynamic days in Mumbai, the event continues to underline India’s transformation from an emerging travel market to a central force in global tourism strategy. With record international participation, high-impact B2B meetings, and forward-looking discussions on outbound travel, aviation connectivity, corporate travel and destination marketing, OTM 2026 cements its status as Asia’s most influential travel trade platform. For global destinations and industry leaders, the message is clear: engaging with the Indian traveller is no longer optional—it is essential, and OTM remains the gateway where that global engagement begins.
