India Pavilion Showcases Tourism Power at ITB Berlin 2026

The India Pavilion was inaugurated by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in the presence of Ajit Gupte, Ambassador of India to Germany.

India highlighted its diverse tourism offerings and strengthened global partnerships at ITB Berlin 2026, the world’s leading travel trade fair held from 3–5 March at Messe Berlin, Germany. The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, led a large delegation of industry stakeholders to promote the country as a year-round global travel destination.

The India Pavilion at the exhibition served as a major platform for networking, business engagement, and showcasing India’s cultural diversity, heritage tourism, and niche travel experiences to international audiences.

Minister Inaugurates India Pavilion

The India Pavilion was inaugurated by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in the presence of Ajit Gupte, Ambassador of India to Germany.

India participated with a strong delegation comprising Destination Management Companies (DMCs), tour operators, hoteliers, and representatives from several State Governments and Union Territories.

A total of 42 stakeholders from the Indian travel industry and government bodies co-exhibited at the pavilion, presenting a wide range of tourism products and experiences.

Germany Among Key Tourism Markets for India

Addressing a press conference during the event, Shekhawat emphasised the importance of Germany as a major tourism source market for India.

Germany ranks as the 8th largest source of foreign tourists for India, with around 260,000 German visitors travelling to the country in 2025.

The minister noted that strengthening ties with European markets remains a priority as India seeks to expand international tourist arrivals and position itself as a global tourism hub open throughout the year.

Bilateral Talks to Boost Tourism Cooperation

On the sidelines of the exhibition, the tourism minister held bilateral meetings with global tourism leaders and policymakers.

Key discussions included:

• Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, Minister of Tourism of Indonesia

• Dr. Christoph Ploß, Federal Government Commissioner for Tourism, Germany

• Shaikha Al Nowais, Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

The discussions focused on enhancing tourism flows, promoting sustainable and regenerative tourism, improving air connectivity, and strengthening people-to-people ties between countries.

India Partners with Netflix to Promote Tourism

A major highlight of India’s participation at ITB Berlin was the launch of two short promotional films produced in partnership with Netflix.

The films celebrate:

• India’s rich cultural traditions, festivals, and heritage

• The diversity and global appeal of Indian cuisine

Under the collaboration, Incredible India and Netflix will produce 10 short promotional videos during the year, inspired by popular Netflix films and series.

Each video will highlight a different dimension of India, including food, culture, wildlife, adventure, festivals, and natural landscapes, helping bring Indian destinations to global audiences through digital storytelling.

India Pavilion Highlights Diverse Tourism Experiences

The theme of the India Pavilion at ITB Berlin 2026 focused on showcasing the unique and diverse tourism experiences available across the country.

The pavilion highlighted niche segments such as:

• Spiritual and wellness tourism

• Wedding tourism

• Adventure tourism

• Eco-tourism

• Culinary tourism

Visitors were also introduced to India’s rich craft traditions through interactive experiences such as mehendi art, block printing, and calligraphy workshops.

States and UTs Promote New Destinations

Several State Governments and Union Territories participated in the India Pavilion to promote their destinations to international buyers and travel professionals.

Participants included:

• Rajasthan

• Kerala

• Madhya Pradesh

• Tamil Nadu

• Goa

• Uttar Pradesh

• Gujarat

• Uttarakhand

• Ladakh

• Andaman & Nicobar Islands

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) also participated, showcasing rail-based tourism products and travel packages.

Strengthening India’s Global Tourism Footprint

The Ministry of Tourism said ITB Berlin 2026 provided an important platform to strengthen partnerships, establish new business relationships, and promote innovative travel routes and tourism experiences.

The strong participation of Indian stakeholders reflects the country’s strategy to boost inbound tourism, expand international connectivity, and position India as a premier global travel destination available throughout the year.