TBO’s multi-city roadshow brings global hospitality, cruise and travel brands together with Indian travel professionals
India’s expanding luxury outbound travel market is drawing greater attention from international hospitality, cruise and travel companies, with business-to-business platforms increasingly being used to connect global suppliers with travel advisors across the country.
One such initiative is Luxe Connect, the luxury travel networking roadshow organised by TBO. The 2026 edition brought together 25 exhibitors and around 300 luxury travel advisors across Mumbai and New Delhi, according to TBO. The company’s own post-event communication confirms the participation of 25 exhibitors and 300 advisors across the two-city programme.
The event was held in Mumbai on September 21 and New Delhi on September 23, with pre-scheduled business meetings between suppliers and travel professionals.
International suppliers target India’s luxury market
The roadshow provided a platform for luxury hotels, cruise companies, destination businesses and other travel suppliers from international markets to engage directly with Indian travel advisors.
For international brands that are still developing their presence in India, such events provide an opportunity to understand how the market operates, identify potential distribution partners and establish relationships with travel companies serving affluent outbound travellers.
TBO has positioned Luxe Connect as part of its broader strategy around luxury travel. The company had previously announced plans to expand the event’s international supplier participation and develop a more focused B2B ecosystem for premium travel sellers and suppliers.
Luxury travel demand broadens beyond traditional markets
Discussions at the event highlighted several changes taking place in India’s outbound travel market.
Travel professionals cited continued demand for Europe, particularly France, Italy, Spain and the UK, while Japan, Australia and destinations across Asia are also attracting increasing interest.
The market is also becoming more diverse geographically. Travel businesses are reporting demand from travellers in India’s Tier II cities, while personalised itineraries and experience-led holidays are becoming increasingly important within the luxury segment.
Rather than relying exclusively on conventional group tours, some high-end travellers are seeking individually designed journeys built around specific interests, experiences and service requirements.
Cruises gain visibility among Indian travellers
Cruise holidays are another segment attracting growing attention from the Indian travel trade.
Industry representatives participating in Luxe Connect said Indian travellers are increasingly considering cruises as part of their holiday choices. Group travel continues to play an important role, including special-interest groups and MICE movements, while individual leisure demand is also developing.
The growing presence of cruise companies at B2B travel events reflects the wider diversification of India’s outbound tourism market, as travel advisors introduce customers to products and destinations beyond conventional land-based holidays.
Technology and distribution remain central
The growth of specialist B2B events comes as travel distribution platforms increasingly combine technology with relationship-driven sales.
TBO describes itself as a global travel distribution platform connecting travel buyers with suppliers across hotels, airlines, cruises, car rentals, transfers, rail and other travel products. Its current platform connects more than 159,000 travel buyers with more than one million hotels across more than 100 countries, according to the company.
The company has also been expanding its use of artificial intelligence, automation and data-driven tools as part of its broader technology strategy.
For luxury travel, however, technology is being complemented by direct interaction between suppliers and travel advisors. Face-to-face meetings remain particularly relevant where itineraries involve multiple suppliers, high-value accommodation, cruises, experiences and customised services.
Indian travel advisors play a larger role
The developments also point to the changing role of Indian travel advisors. As luxury travellers seek greater personalisation, advisors are increasingly involved in designing complex itineraries rather than simply arranging individual flights or hotel bookings.
For international suppliers, establishing relationships with these advisors can provide access to customers across India’s established metropolitan markets as well as emerging outbound centres.
TBO’s current business model reflects this wider distribution landscape, with the company serving travel agencies, independent advisors, tour operators, travel management companies and other enterprise buyers.
A growing B2B ecosystem for outbound travel
The second edition of Luxe Connect follows the launch of the platform in 2025. TBO’s own event material said the initiative was created as a focused platform for premium travel sellers, hoteliers and other luxury suppliers, with the company planning a larger international network for the 2026 edition.
The latest event suggests that luxury outbound travel is becoming an increasingly important area of interaction between Indian travel businesses and international suppliers.
As Indian travellers explore more destinations, seek personalised experiences and increasingly consider products such as luxury cruises, international hotel groups and destination specialists are looking to strengthen their relationships with the country’s travel trade.
For the wider tourism industry, the expansion of such B2B platforms highlights the importance of distribution networks in converting growing outbound travel interest into bookings and long-term commercial partnerships.
