OTM 2026: India’s Global Tourism Influence Reaches New Heights At Mumbai’s Largest Travel Show

The OTM 2026 event which took place at Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai has established India as a vital emerging market for international tourism. The main travel industry exhibition attracted more than 2200 exhibitors from over sixty countries to showcase India’s increasing power in international travel.

India’s Role in the Global Travel Ecosystem

The OTM 2026 is the largest and most diverse travel trade show in Asia, attracting more than 50,000 trade visitors and 1,000+ industry professionals over its three-day run. Recognized by NielsenIQ as Asia’s leading travel trade show for two consecutive years, this event stands as a testament to the country’s rising prominence as a global tourism hub.

India’s outbound tourism market is rapidly expanding, driven by increasing disposable incomes, improved international connectivity, and a booming interest in long-haul, experiential, and high-value travel. This shift is reflected across the exhibition, where destinations, airlines, and tourism boards from across the globe are engaging with India as a priority market.

The Scale of OTM 2026

OTM 2026’s scale is a clear indication of the global tourism community’s interest in India. Over 2,200 exhibitors, representing national and state tourism boards, airlines, hotels, destination management companies, cruise operators, and travel technology providers, showcased their offerings. Countries from every continent, including long-established markets and emerging destinations, are prioritising India for strategic growth in the outbound travel sector.

With more than 50,000 trade visitors, including hosted and VIP buyers, OTM 2026 provided ample opportunities for B2B engagement across various travel segments such as leisure, MICE, weddings, and niche tourism. In addition, the event facilitated over 50,000 pre-scheduled B2B meetings, reinforcing its status as a platform designed for measurable business outcomes.

India at the Forefront of Tourism Innovation

At the OTM Forum, senior industry leaders, policymakers, and tourism professionals gathered to discuss the future of outbound travel and destination competitiveness. Industry leaders from major companies such as MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip, Thomas Cook India, and Paytm, alongside representatives from global tourism boards and airlines, discussed strategies for unlocking India’s tourism potential.

The session on India at 100 Million: The Global Race to Capture the Next Big Traveller Wave saw industry leaders from Switzerland, Mauritius, Uzbekistan, and Malaysia Tourism among others. These discussions highlighted how destinations are recalibrating their marketing and promotions to capture the growing demand from Indian travellers.

India’s increasing appetite for high-value travel experiences is no longer a niche; it is becoming the defining trend of global tourism. Destinations are recognising this shift and aligning their strategies accordingly, with India becoming a key component of long-term trade promotions.

Aviation and Connectivity

Aviation connectivity played a crucial role in supporting India’s expanding outbound travel. Major international carriers, including Malaysia Airlines, were present at the event, underlining the role of enhanced air links in driving tourism growth. As the Indian traveller becomes more global in outlook, robust air connectivity is pivotal in enabling long-haul travel to emerging and established destinations.

OTM 2026 also spotlighted India’s rising engagement with experiential travel, including cultural tourism, luxury vacations, and wellness retreats. Destinations now look beyond traditional offerings to cater to India’s evolving preferences, which are increasingly shaped by a desire for unique, high-end, and culturally immersive experiences.

India’s Growing Influence on Global Tourism Strategy

India’s transformation from an emerging market to a central player in global tourism was underscored by its position at the heart of OTM 2026. Once considered a growth market, India is now driving tourism strategies across the globe, as evidenced by the strong participation from international tourism boards and travel professionals.

India is no longer an emerging opportunity but is one of the most sought-after and strategic travel markets globally as remarked by Sanjiv Agarwal, Chairman & CEO of Fairfest Media Ltd., the organisers of OTM. His remarks echoed the sentiment that India’s growth in outbound tourism is reshaping the global travel landscape.

The participation of key industry leaders from across the globe at the OTM Forum demonstrated how the global travel ecosystem is pivoting towards India as a long-term, high-value market. With rising wealth, better connectivity, and a diverse travel landscape, India’s influence in global tourism continues to grow exponentially.

Key Highlights from the Inaugural Day

OTM 2026’s inaugural day set the stage for the three-day event. The official inauguration, attended by prominent dignitaries such as Datuk Manoharan Periasamy from Tourism Malaysia and Richard Duval, Minister of Tourism, Mauritius, was followed by engaging panel discussions. The CEOs’ Lunch also featured a panel titled India at 100 Million: The Global Race to Capture the Next Big Traveller Wave, discussing the burgeoning demand from Indian travellers and the competition to attract them.

The discussions focused on how destinations can best position themselves to cater to the rising expectations of Indian travellers. Whether it’s through innovative marketing, luxury offerings, or authentic cultural experiences, the global tourism industry is recognising that India is now at the epicentre of growth.

The Future of Global Tourism is Indian

The OTM 2026 has highlighted India’s shift from an emerging market to a leading force in global tourism. With over 50,000 trade visitors, 2,200 exhibitors, and strong representation from destinations worldwide, OTM 2026 has firmly established India as a key player in the global travel ecosystem.

The world needs to adjust its travel strategies to match the preferences of Indian tourists since India’s international travel volume keeps increasing. India has become an essential travel market which all destinations must consider because it now offers both experiential and luxury travel and MICE and niche travel options. The future of international tourism now depends on Indian travelers who will create new tourism patterns across different countries.

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