New Delhi, March 10 India's participation, along with a country pavilion, at the recently held ITB Berlin—one of the world's leading travel trade shows—provided a platform for strengthening existing partnerships and establishing India as a premier 365-day global destination, the tourism ministry said on Tuesday.
The ministry participated in ITB Berlin 2026, held from March 3-5 at the Messe Berlin exhibition centre in 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 Indian travel stakeholders.
Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, along with an Indian delegation, participated, and he also engaged with several leaders.
Addressing a press conference, the minister said, "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 (provisional figure) Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) from Germany in 2025, according to a statement issued by India's tourism ministry.
Shekhawat also held "productive bilateral meetings" with Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, Minister of Tourism of Indonesia, and Christoph Ploß, Federal Government Commissioner for Tourism of Germany.
The discussions focused on enhancing tourism flows, promoting sustainable travel, expanding air connectivity, and deepening people-to-people ties between the nations, it said.
The Union minister also engaged with Shaikha Al Nowais, Secretary General, UNWTO, and discussed ways to enhance sustainable tourism development and regenerative tourism.
India's "strong presence" at ITB Berlin highlighted the country's strategic goal of further boosting inbound tourism and establishing India as a premier 365-day global travel destination, the ministry said.
The event "provided an important platform for strengthening existing partnerships, establishing new business relationships, and promoting innovative travel routes and experiences."
The diversity of India's cultural and craft heritage was also showcased to visitors at the India Pavilion through activities such as 'mehendi' and block printing and calligraphy.
The India Pavilion showcased the country's rich cultural landscape, languages, and traditions, its diverse tourism offerings, as well as niche tourism experiences such as spiritual and wellness, weddings, adventure, and ecotourism, and gourmet experiences.
The pavilion focused on India's unique and diverse tourism experiences.
Representatives from various destination management companies, hotels, state governments and Union Territories, and tour operators from across the country participated.
At ITB Berlin, the Union tourism minister also launched two short films curated by the OTT platform Netflix for the ministry. One celebrated India's vibrant culture, living traditions, festivals, and timeless heritage, while the other celebrated the rich flavors and diversity of Indian cuisine.
The ministry has partnered with Netflix to showcase Indian destinations to global audiences.
Under this partnership, the ministry, through its 'Incredible India' platform and Netflix, will curate ten short promotional videos over the year. Inspired by Netflix-hosted films and series, each video highlights a unique facet of India, from its flavors and festivals to adventure, wildlife, and natural beauty, reflecting the country's depth and diversity, as seen on screen, it said.
Representatives from state governments of Rajasthan, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, and Union Territories of Ladakh, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, along with IRCTC, participated to promote their latest destinations and offerings to the international market, the ministry said.