OTM 2025, Asia’s largest and most influential travel trade show, wrapped up on a high note, drawing participants from over 80 countries, with more than 40,000 trade visitors and 2,100 exhibitors. Over three days (January 30- February 1) in Mumbai, the event facilitated numerous business deals, cementing its status as a leading global tourism collaboration and growth platform.
OTM 2025: Fairfest CEO On How Technology Is Shaping The Future Of Global Travel
Sanjiv Agarwal, Chairman and CEO of Fairfest Media Ltd, the organiser of OTM 2025, reflects on its success and highlights India's growing influence in the global tourism market
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Highlighting India’s burgeoning role as a key driver of future global tourism, the show underscored the country’s importance in shaping the industry’s trajectory.
Sanjiv Agarwal, Chairman & CEO of Fairfest Media Ltd, the event organiser, shared his thoughts on the event’s success, emphasising India’s rising influence in the global tourism market. Excerpts from the interview here.
Sanjiv Agarwal - Founder & CEO Fairfest Media and Organisers of OTM OTM
Could you share the vision behind launching the latest edition of OTM and what sets it apart from other travel and tourism trade shows?
Fairfest has been organising travel events since 1989, connecting clients worldwide with the Indian travel market. OTM ranked as Asia’s #1 travel show by NielsenIQ - the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, is where international destinations connect with India on a massive scale.
Mumbai, India’s largest outbound travel market, is the perfect location for OTM. This isn’t just another trade show—it’s unmatched in size, quality of business opportunities, and the variety of participants. From insightful sessions to exclusive discussions, OTM is designed to be the ultimate platform for India’s travel trade across key sectors like leisure, luxury, weddings, and MICE.
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What sets OTM apart is the trust it has earned globally. Destinations like the Cayman Islands, Egypt, France, Georgia, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Maldives, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Tanzania, and Uganda have chosen OTM as their exclusive platform in India. This shows the faith global destinations and travel brands have in OTM and the confidence they place in India as a rapidly growing travel market.
OTM also hosts State Tourism Boards and travel providers from every corner of India — including Uttarakhand, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala and many others.
The 2025 edition of OTM hosted about 40,000+ travel trade visitors, including 1,000+ top buyers from Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities in India. This includes travel agents, MICE professionals, corporate travel managers, and wedding planners—representing a broad spectrum of India’s travel ecosystem.
A glimpse of OTM 2025 OTM
What key segments or themes did the event focus on this year? How do these align with current trends in the travel and tourism industry?
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The central theme for the event was the rise of the Indian Traveller on the Global Stage. OTM Forum 2025 spotlighted the most relevant topics in India’s travel and hospitality sector, featuring top industry leaders and next-gen innovators. These sessions brought together experts from every travel segment—weddings, luxury, budget travel, MICE, experiential travel, or wellness. It helped participants gain fresh perspectives, hear new ideas, and better understand the direction of the industry.
Can you highlight any specific regions or countries prominently showcased at OTM Mumbai? What value do they bring to Indian and international attendees?
OTM 2025 featured over 2,100 exhibitors from more than 80 countries, including well-established destinations and hidden gems waiting to be discovered. This year, OTM had star attractions from our biggest exhibitors, such as Malaysia, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Peru, Visit Qatar and many more. By connecting Indian travel professionals with globally renowned destinations and brands, OTM offers attendees opportunities to explore new markets, form meaningful partnerships, and discover untapped potential.
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Sustainability is a significant focus in the travel industry today. How is OTM addressing this concern and encouraging sustainable practices among participants?
We at OTM care deeply about “Responsible Travel.” We believe that travel is inherently a force for good and deeply benefits and supports local communities and economies. By connecting key players in the travel industry, OTM catalyses fostering meaningful collaborations that promote tourism as a driver of growth, cultural exchange and shared prosperity. Our goal is to inspire the industry to create experiences that leave a positive impact, strengthening the ties between travellers and destinations.
What role does technology play in shaping the experience of OTM, both for exhibitors and visitors? Were there any digital innovations planned for this edition?
Technology is transforming travel and events, and it’s a big part of OTM, too. This year, we’ve introduced tools to make the event experience smooth for exhibitors and visitors.
One of the highlights was the OTM application, SnapCard. It allowed participants to exchange contact details, schedule meetings, and access event agendas all in one place. The app even included an AI-based matchmaking system, helping users connect with the partners or services they seek.
In addition, many travel technology companies displayed their innovations at OTM, giving attendees a look at the cutting-edge tools shaping the future of travel.
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Looking at the broader impact of OTM, how do you see the event shaping India’s position as a global travel hub in the coming years?
India’s outbound travel market is growing at an incredible pace. By 2027, it’s expected to become the fifth-largest globally, with a market value of USD 89 billion—more than double what it was in 2019.
OTM plays a key role in driving this growth by acting as a gateway for global destinations to tap into India’s potential. It’s not just about showcasing travel options—it’s about creating connections, fostering innovation, and setting new benchmarks for the industry.
For anyone in the travel business, OTM is where you find the best opportunities, meet the right people, and stay ahead of the game. With a focus on outbound travel and innovation, OTM 2025 is set to keep pushing boundaries and strengthening India’s position on the global stage.
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