The second day of SATTE 2025 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, reaffirmed its role as a key platform for shaping the future of travel and tourism. Industry professionals, exhibitors, and thought leaders gathered to discuss emerging trends, foster strategic partnerships, and explore new business opportunities in the ever-evolving global tourism landscape.
India-Japan MoU Strengthens Tourism Ties
One of the most significant developments of the day was the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) and its Japanese counterparts. This agreement aims to promote bilateral tourism, cultural exchanges, and travel opportunities, with a special focus on Okinawa. The initiative seeks to encourage Indian travelers to explore Japan while attracting more Japanese tourists to India, further strengthening the diplomatic and economic relationship between the two nations.
Business & Networking at ‘Atithi’
The exclusive buyer-seller meet, ‘Atithi,’ organized in collaboration with the Service Export Promotion Council (SEPC), continued to serve as a vital platform for forging business relationships. This initiative connected international buyers with Indian tourism stakeholders, facilitating discussions that could lead to significant industry growth.
Expert Panels Address Industry Challenges & Innovations
The conference sessions offered deep insights into pressing industry challenges, emerging trends, and future market dynamics.
- “Routes Development: Significance & Impact” – Moderated by Sunil Kumar, President of the Travel Agents Association of India, this session examined how strategic air, sea, and land routes contribute to economic growth and tourism expansion. Industry experts discussed opportunities for route development beyond 2025.
- “Anchoring Opportunities in Cruise & Port Tourism” – Led by Vinod Zutshi, Former Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, this panel explored India’s potential as a major cruise tourism hub, highlighting infrastructural enhancements and strategies to attract foreign tourists.
- “Overcrowded & Overlooked: Balancing the Scales” – Moderated by Sanjay Basu, Chairman of Far Horizon Tours, this session addressed the need for sustainable tourism, focusing on lesser-known destinations that hold untapped potential.
- “India on the Move – Cracking the Code of Outbound Growth” – With outbound travel from India witnessing rapid growth, this discussion, moderated by Rajeev Nangia, COO of TRAC Representations India Pvt. Ltd., analyzed traveler preferences, key international markets, and strategies to boost outbound tourism.
- “AI Revolution & Hyper-Connected Tourism – Are We Ready?” – As artificial intelligence continues to transform the tourism sector, this session, moderated by Chirag Agrawal, Co-founder & COO of TravClan, explored AI-driven innovations that enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.
- Fireside Chat: “From Viral to Vital: The Impact of Social Media on Destinations” – Leading travel influencers shared insights on the growing power of digital platforms in destination marketing and how viral content can turn hidden gems into must-visit locations.
Destination Briefings & Award Recognition
SATTE 2025 also featured destination briefings for Rajasthan, Sri Lanka, and Saudi Arabia, among others, highlighting the expanding tourism potential of these regions.
The SATTE Awards 2025 celebrated excellence in travel and hospitality across 22 categories, recognizing outstanding contributions from hotels, tour operators, tourism boards, international cruise operators, and travel agencies. With 231 nominations from 187 companies—including 90+ new entrants—the awards underscored the industry’s evolution. The Shakti Awards, an initiative by Informa Markets, honored the contributions of women leaders driving innovation in the travel and tourism sector. The winners were selected by a distinguished jury chaired by Arvind Singh, Former Tourism Secretary, Government of India, alongside industry experts. Ernst & Young served as the process advisor, with Travel Trends Today as the official media partner.
A Global Stage for Travel & Tourism
With over 2,000 exhibitors, 40,000+ visitors, and participation from more than 50 countries, SATTE 2025 solidified its position as South Asia’s premier travel and tourism exhibition. The event provided a hub for industry stakeholders to explore new business avenues, engage in knowledge-sharing, and drive future growth.
Exhibitors included travel agents, tour operators, airlines, hoteliers, and tourism boards, while key visitors ranged from travel professionals and wedding planners to corporate leaders and procurement heads. This year’s edition prominently featured international destinations such as Malaysia, Hong Kong, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Japan, Uzbekistan, Mauritius, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. Leading Indian states, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Odisha, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab, also showcased their tourism potential.
Core segments such as homestays, adventure tourism, domestic travel, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) were at the forefront, providing a platform for industry leaders to promote their brands, generate leads, and exchange insights.
Looking Ahead
SATTE 2025 continues to play a pivotal role in redefining the travel and tourism landscape, fostering international collaboration, and driving industry innovation. As the global tourism sector evolves, SATTE remains a cornerstone event, bringing together stakeholders to shape the future of travel and hospitality.
