New Delhi, February 20, 2025:
The second day of SATTE 2025, South Asia’s leading travel and tourism exhibition, continued to drive strategic collaborations and global networking at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. The event witnessed a remarkable confluence of industry professionals, exhibitors, and thought leaders, reinforcing SATTE’s role as a catalyst for shaping the future of travel and tourism.
Apart from the business on the show floor, several highlights marked the day. A key highlight was the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) and its Japanese counterparts, marking a significant milestone in strengthening tourism ties between India and Japan. This collaboration aims to foster cross-promotion of tourism between the two nations, enrich cultural exchanges, and unlock new travel opportunities. With a focus on Okinawa, the MoU will encourage Indian travellers to explore Japan while facilitating greater tourism from Japan to India, reinforcing the strong ties between the two countries.
The ‘Atithi’ initiative, an exclusive buyer-seller meet in collaboration with the Service Export Promotion Council (SEPC), continued to serve as a dynamic platform for fostering business relationships, connecting international buyers with Indian tourism stakeholders, and unlocking new opportunities.
The day also featured an array of insightful conference sessions that delved into emerging industry trends, challenges, and market dynamics.
One of the key discussions, “Routes Development: Significance & Impact,” moderated by Sunil Kumar, President of the Travel Agents Association of India, explored how strategic air, sea, and land routes fuel economic growth, boost tourism, and shape the future of global connectivity. Industry leaders analyzed upcoming opportunities and trends for route development in 2025 and beyond.
The “Anchoring Opportunities in Cruise & Port Tourism” panel, led by Vinod Zutshi, Former Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, examined the potential of India’s cruise tourism sector. The discussion focused on enhancing infrastructural capabilities, attracting foreign tourists, and positioning India as a premier cruise destination. Meanwhile, the session on “Overcrowded & Overlooked: Balancing the Scales,” moderated by Sanjay Basu, Chairman of Far Horizon Tours and a member of CII National Tourism & Hospitality Committee, highlighted the importance of sustainable tourism by bringing attention to emerging destinations that remain underexplored.
With outbound travel from India on a sharp rise, the panel discussion on “India on the Move – Cracking the Code of Outbound Growth,” moderated by Rajeev Nangia, Chief Operating Officer, TRAC Representations India Pvt. Ltd., examined evolving traveller preferences, key international markets, and strategies to further propel outbound tourism.
Complementing this, the “AI Revolution & Hyper-Connected Tourism – Are We Ready?” session, moderated by Chirag Agrawal, Co-founder & COO of TravClan, explored the transformative role of AI in reshaping the global tourism landscape. Experts shared insights on leveraging AI-driven innovation to enhance customer experiences and operational efficiencies in the travel sector.
The day concluded with a thought-provoking Fireside Chat on “From Viral to Vital: The Impact of Social Media on Destinations.” Leading travel influencers discussed the power of digital platforms in destination marketing and how viral content can turn hidden gems into must-visit locations, transforming tourism economies worldwide.
Destination briefings for Rajasthan, Sri Lanka, and Saudi Arabia, among others, explored these much loved tourist regions’ expanding potential.
SATTE Awards 2025, marked as a must-attend event on every travel professional’s calendar, recognized excellence across 22 categories, including Hotels, Tour Operators, Tourism Boards, International Cruises, and Travel Agents. This year’s edition saw 231 nominations from 187 companies, including 90+ new entrants, reflecting the industry’s dynamic evolution. The Shakti Awards, an initiative by Informa Markets, honored the contributions of women leaders shaping the future of travel and tourism. The winners were selected by a distinguished jury chaired by Mr. Arvind Singh, Former Tourism Secretary, Government of India, in collaboration with industry veterans. Ernst & Young served as the Process Advisor, with Travel Trends Today as the Official Media Partner.
With over 2,000 exhibitors, 40,000+ visitors, and participation from 50+ countries, SATTE 2025 continues to reinforce its position as South Asia’s premier travel and tourism exhibition. The event remains a hub for global industry stakeholders to explore new business avenues, engage in knowledge-sharing, and drive the future of the travel sector.
The exhibition showcases a diverse range of exhibitors, including travel agents, tour operators, airlines, hoteliers, and tourism boards. Key visitors include travel professionals, wedding planners, corporate leaders, and procurement heads.
This year, SATTE 2025 spotlights both international destinations such as Malaysia, Hong Kong, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Japan, Uzbekistan, Mauritius, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, as well as leading Indian states including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Odisha, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab. Core segments such as homestays, adventure tourism, domestic travel, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) are also at the forefront, providing industry stakeholders a platform to showcase brands, generate leads, and share insights.
