**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, participated in ITB Berlin 2026 from March 3rd-5th, 2026, to enhance tourism cooperation with Germany and Indonesia. The event provided a platform for networking and exchange for Indian travel stakeholders. Key outcomes included bilateral meetings and the launch of promotional films with Netflix.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Participation in ITB Berlin 2026:**
* The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, participated in ITB Berlin 2026, the world's leading travel trade show.
* The event took place from March 3rd to 5th, 2026, at Messe Berlin, Germany.
* India's participation aimed to foster tourism cooperation and promote inbound travel.
* **India Pavilion and Inauguration:**
* A significant delegation, including Destination Management Companies (DMCs), hoteliers, State Governments/Union Territories, and tour operators, participated.
* The India Pavilion was inaugurated by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Tourism and Culture.
* The pavilion showcased India's diverse tourism landscape, including niche experiences like spiritual & wellness, wedding, adventure, ecotourism, and gourmet.
* The theme of the Pavilion was "Unique and diverse Tourism Experiences of India."
* **Bilateral Meetings and Discussions:**
* Productive bilateral meetings were held with the Minister of Tourism of Indonesia and the Federal Government Commissioner for Tourism of Germany.
* Discussions focused on enhancing tourism flows, boosting sustainable travel, expanding air connectivity, and deepening people-to-people ties.
* Discussions were also held with the Secretary General of UNWTO on sustainable and regenerative tourism development.
* **Promotional Initiatives:**
* Germany was identified as a key tourism partner, ranking as the 8th largest source market for India with 260,000 Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in 2025.
* Two short films curated by Netflix were launched, celebrating India's culture, traditions, heritage, and cuisine.
* A partnership with Netflix was established to showcase Indian destinations through ten promotional videos over the year.
* **Stakeholder Engagement and Outcomes:**
* State Governments and Union Territories (Rajasthan, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Andaman, and Nicobar Islands) and IRCTC participated.
* 42 stakeholders from the Indian travel industry and State Governments co-exhibited, promoting India's cultural diversity and tourism products.
* Fruitful business meetings were held, establishing new international contacts.
* ITB Berlin served as a platform for strengthening partnerships, establishing business relationships, and promoting innovative travel routes.
* Cultural and craft heritage was showcased through mehendi and DIY activities like block printing and calligraphy.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Travel Industry Stakeholders**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to strengthen existing partnerships, establish new business relationships, and promote travel routes and experiences to an international audience.
* **Action Required:** Engage in business meetings, establish new contacts with international counterparts, and showcase India's tourism offerings.
**State Governments and Union Territories**
* **Impact:** Platform to promote their latest destinations and offerings to the international market, contributing to India's strategic goal of boosting inbound tourism.
* **Action Required:** Participate in co-exhibiting at the India Pavilion, showcasing their unique tourism products and immersive experiences.
**Ministry of Tourism, Government of India**
* **Impact:** Enhanced bilateral cooperation with Germany and Indonesia, increased visibility for Indian tourism globally, and progress towards establishing India as a premier 365 days global travel destination.
* **Action Required:** Continue to foster partnerships, promote sustainable tourism initiatives, and leverage collaborations with entities like Netflix for destination promotion.
**German Tourism Market**
* **Impact:** Remains a significant partner for India, with potential for increased tourist arrivals and engagement with Indian tourism offerings.
* **Action Required:** Continue to be a key source market for India's tourism sector.
Key Entities Referenced
ITB Berlin: A major international travel trade show held annually.
Ministry of Tourism: The government ministry responsible for tourism in India.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: Union Minister of Tourism and Culture of India, who inaugurated the India Pavilion and held bilateral meetings.
Germany: A key tourism partner country for India.
Indonesia: A country with which India held bilateral meetings to boost tourism cooperation.
Ministry of Tourism
India holds bilateral meetings with Germany and
Indonesia on enhancing tourism and sustainable
travel at ITB Berlin 2026
India Participates at ITB Berlin 2026, the World’s Leading
Travel Exhibition
Union Minister of Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
inaugurates India Pavillion and Holds Bilateral Meetings to
Boost Tourism Cooperation
Germany remains one of India’s most important tourism
partners: Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Posted On: 10 MAR 2026 2:30PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, participated at ITB Berlin 2026, held from 3rd – 5th
March at Messe Berlin, Germany. As the world’s leading travel trade show, ITB Berlin (Internationale
Tourismus-Börse Berlin) is a key meeting point for the global tourism industry, providing an important
platform for networking and exchange for the Indian travel stakeholders.India participated with a significant delegation of Destination Management Companies (DMCs), hoteliers,
State Governments / Union Territories and tour operators from across the country. The exhibition was
inaugurated by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Tourism and Culture in the presence of
the Indian Ambassador to India, Shri Ajit Gupte.
Further, in order to strengthen people to people ties, Union Minister of Tourism held productive bilateral
meetings with H.E. Ms Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, Minister of Tourism of Indonesia and Dr Christoph
Ploß, Federal Government Commissioner for Tourism, Germany. The discussions focused on enhancing
tourism flows, boosting sustainable travel, expanding air connectivity, and deepening people-to-people
ties between the nations. Union Minister also engaged with Ms Shaikha Al Nowais, Secretary General,
UNWTO and discussed about different ways to enhance sustainable tourism development and
regenerative tourism.
Union Minister of Tourism, while addressing the Press Conference stated that Germany remains one of
India’s most important tourism partners. Germany ranks as the 8th largest tourist generating source
market for India with 260,000 Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs)** from Germany in 2025.
At ITB Berlin, Union Minister of Tourism launched two short films curated by Netflix for the Ministry,
one celebrating India’s vibrant culture, living traditions, festivals and timeless heritage while the other
celebrates the rich flavours and diversity of Indian cuisine. The Ministry of Tourism has partnered with
Netflix to showcase Indian destinations to global audiences. Under this partnership, Incredible India and
Netflix will curate ten short promotional videos over the year. Inspired by Netflix films and series, each
video highlights a unique facet of India from its flavours and festivals to adventure, wildlife, and natural
beauty reflecting the country’s depth and diversity as seen on screen.The India Pavilion at ITB 2026 showcased the country`s rich kaleidoscope of cultures, languages and
traditions, its diverse tourism landscape as well as the gamut of niche tourism experiences such as spiritual
& wellness, wedding, adventure and ecotourism and gourmet. The theme of the Pavilion revolved around
the Unique and diverse Tourism Experiences of India.
State Governments of Rajasthan, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat,
Uttarakhand, Union Territories (UTs) of Ladakh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands along with IRCTC
participated at ITB to promote their latest destinations and offerings to the international market. 42
stakeholders from the Indian travel industry and State Governments co-exhibited at the India Pavilion to
showcase India's vibrant cultural diversity and the vast range of tourism products and immersive
experiences. The stakeholders had fruitful business meetings and established new contacts with their
international counterparts. The strong presence highlighted India’s strategic goal of further boosting
inbound tourism and establishing the country as a premier 365 days global travel destination.ITB Berlin provided an important platform for strengthening existing partnerships, establishing new
business relationships and promoting innovative travel routes and experiences. The diversity of the
cultural and craft heritage was also showcased to the visitors at the India Pavilion through mehendi and
other DIY activities such as block printing and calligraphy.
** Provisional
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M Annadurai
(Release ID: 2237445) Visitor Counter : 306
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