We promise to make Darjeeling a global tourist destination: Tourism Minister Sankar Ghosh at TTF
Kolkata/IBNS: Travel has always been about more than destinations. As India's travel industry prepares for one of its busiest seasons, Fairfest Media has once again created a space where those conversations can take shape.
Sankar Ghosh, Tourism Minister of West Bengal, said, "The tourism potential we have in West Bengal will turn into performance. We will consult with other states, gather their knowledge and experience and adapt their good projects and policies to our state."
"We promise to make Darjeeling a global tourist destination in near future," he said.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by several prominent dignitaries, including Sankar Ghosh, West Bengal's Minister for Tourism and Parliamentary Affairs, Satpal Maharaj, Tourism Minister of Uttarakhand, Rohan Khaunte, Tourism Minister of Goa, Siriporn Tantipanyathep, Royal Thai Consul General, along with representatives from the tourism and hospitality sectors.
West Bengal Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh inaugurates TTF Kolkata by lighting the ceremonial lamp. Photo: Avishek Mitra
Rohan Khaunte, Tourism Minister of Goa, said, "Goa is capable, familiar and always ready to surprise you. I will request the Travel and Tourism Fair to not promote Goa only as a beachside holiday, but promote the new Goa as a family destination, its village festivals, its adventure and monsoon experiences."
The timing is deliberate. Scheduled ahead of the Durga Puja festivities and the winter holiday booking season, the exhibition arrives at a moment when destinations, tourism boards and travel businesses are looking to connect with one of the country's most influential travel markets—Eastern and Northeastern India.
"I'm proud to share that Uttarakhand is the first state in the country to have successfully implemented an Aadhar-based authenticated registration system for pilgrimage, making the journey of lakhs of devotees safer, better organised and more transparent," said Satpal Maharaj, Tourism Minister of Uttarakhand.
Kolkata has long served as an important gateway for domestic and international tourism. The exhibition reflects that position by creating a platform where destination marketing, business networking and industry partnerships converge. Tourism boards, travel companies, hospitality brands, airlines and travel technology firms found themselves sharing the same space, each looking to shape the journeys of the months ahead.
Royal Thai Consul General, Siriporn Tantipanyathep said, "It is important to bring destinations to life, connect cultures and build friendships that transcend borders. Thailand captures the heart of its travellers and creates meaningful moments."
The scale of participation underscored the event's growing relevance. More than 500 exhibitors took part, representing 21 Indian states, including Goa, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh, among others, alongside six other countries. Thailand was featured as the partner country, adding an international dimension to an exhibition designed to strengthen both domestic and global tourism ties.
The first two days were devoted to business-to-business (B2B) interactions, allowing industry stakeholders to build partnerships and explore new opportunities before the exhibition opened its doors to consumers on the final day. Travel fairs have always been about more than destinations. They are where ideas are exchanged, partnerships are forged and future itineraries begin to take shape.
(Reporting by Aaheli Chakraborty, images by Avishek Mitra)Support Our Journalism
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