ITB India 2025: India-Thailand Alliance Pioneers a New Era for South Asian Tourism
Mumbai, August 19, 2025 – As the global travel industry converges at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai from September 2–4, 2025, ITB India 2025 emerges as a landmark event where India and Thailand are teaming up to reshape South Asian tourism. Under the theme The Business of Experience: Curated Travel for Targeted Growth, this dynamic collaboration showcases innovative travel packages, sustainable initiatives, and a bold vision for regional connectivity, positioning both nations as trailblazers in the global tourism landscape. With over 400 exhibitors, 600 buyers, and 8,000 attendees, the event marks a pivotal moment for Indo-Thai tourism synergy.
A Strategic Indo-Thai Partnership
India and Thailand are leveraging ITB India 2025 to unveil a groundbreaking joint campaign, Discover South Asia Together, which promotes seamless multi-destination travel experiences. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and India’s Ministry of Tourism are presenting integrated travel itineraries combining India’s cultural gems, like Rajasthan’s forts, with Thailand’s wellness retreats in Chiang Mai. “This partnership is about creating journeys that blend India’s heritage with Thailand’s hospitality,” says TAT Deputy Governor Siripakorn Cheawsamoot. A key highlight is Thai Airways’ announcement of three new weekly flights between Bangkok and Mumbai, starting October 2025, to facilitate easier access for travelers.
The collaboration also introduces the Indo-Thai Heritage Trail, a curated route linking Buddhist pilgrimage sites like Bodh Gaya in India with Thailand’s Sukhothai temples. This initiative, backed by the ASEAN Tourism Forum, aims to attract spiritual travelers from Europe and North America, with pre-scheduled B2B meetings at ITB India fostering partnerships between Indian and Thai tour operators.
Sustainability and Innovation at the Core
Both nations are spotlighting sustainable tourism at ITB India 2025. Thailand’s Green Destinations Map, showcased at the event, promotes eco-friendly experiences like low-carbon rail tours in Northern Thailand, while India highlights its Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, focusing on sustainable development in tier-2 cities like Varanasi. A dedicated panel, Sustainability Synergies: India and Thailand, will feature experts like Dr. Anirudh Chatterjee from India’s Ecotourism Society and Thailand’s Wasumon Netkitcharoen, discussing carbon-neutral travel strategies.
The event’s Experiential Travel Track, debuting in 2025, showcases Indo-Thai innovations like film tourism. India’s Bollywood-inspired tours in Mumbai and Thailand’s cinematic journeys tied to The Beach filming locations in Krabi are drawing attention from global buyers. “We’re crafting experiences that resonate emotionally,” says Romil Pant, Senior Vice President at Thomas Cook India, who will lead a session on immersive tourism. Virtual reality booths will allow attendees to preview these destinations, blending technology with cultural storytelling.
Boosting Connectivity and Economic Impact
ITB India 2025’s Buyer Elite Programme, supported by associations like ADTOI and TAAI, ensures a 1:1 exhibitor-to-buyer ratio, enabling Indian and Thai tourism boards to connect with high-value buyers from tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Thailand’s pavilion, featuring the Sarawak Tourism Board and Visit Northern Finland, will highlight cross-regional partnerships, while India’s booth showcases its Vibrant Villages initiative to promote border tourism in Arunachal Pradesh.
The event is projected to generate over 30,000 business engagements, surpassing 2024’s 25,000, with a focus on MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and travel technology. Indian startup Zetexa Global will demo AI-driven booking platforms, while Thailand’s TATAI digital tourism hub, a 3D hologram system, offers real-time travel assistance, enhancing visitor experiences.
A Vision for South Asian Tourism
“India and Thailand are not just neighbors in spirit but partners in progress,” says Darren Seah, Executive Director of Messe Berlin Asia Pacific, the event’s organizer. The Indo-Thai alliance at ITB India 2025 aims to position South Asia as a unified tourism powerhouse, tapping into India’s growing middle class and Thailand’s 35.5 million visitor target for 2025. With panels on AI personalization and wellness tourism, featuring speakers like Anurag Jain of RateGain and Scott Wegener of Tripadvisor, the event bridges tradition and innovation.