Berlin [Germany], March 5 (ANI): Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat held bilateral meetings with tourism leaders from Indonesia and Germany to discuss strengthening cooperation in the tourism sector on the sidelines of ITB Berlin 2026.
According to the Ministry of Tourism on Wednesday, Shekhawat met Widiyanti Puri Wardhana, Tourism Minister of Indonesia, and Christoph Ploß, Federal Government Commissioner for Tourism of Germany, during separate bilateral engagements.
The ministry said the discussions focused on enhancing tourism flows, boosting sustainable travel, expanding air connectivity, and deepening people-to-people ties between the nations.
According to the ministry, Shekhawat also met with UNWTO Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nowais and discussed innovative approaches for advancing sustainable and regenerative tourism.
On the first day of ITB Berlin 2026, the Ministry of Tourism organized the Incredible India Press Conference, attended by Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and India’s Ambassador to Germany, Ajit Gupte.
According to the ministry, the interaction with international media during the press conference underscored the country’s sustained tourism growth, enhanced connectivity, and significant advancements in infrastructure.
The Ministry of Tourism is participating in ITB Berlin from March 3 to 5, the world’s leading travel trade show.
The 700-square-meter Incredible India Pavilion, inaugurated by Minister Shekhawat, brings together 37 Destination Management Companies (DMCs) and six state governments, showcasing heritage, culture, wellness, wildlife, and experiential travel while strengthening global tourism partnerships.
In an official post on X, the ministry said, “The Ministry of Tourism has partnered with Netflix to showcase Indian destinations to global audiences through cinematic storytelling.”
As part of the initiative, tourism promotion films under this partnership were launched by Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at the Incredible India Press Conference and the India Evening event during ITB Berlin 2026, highlighting India’s culture, festivals, and cuisine.
Earlier in February, Union Minister of Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said tourism has become central to national development and that the government is working with a vision of increasing the sector’s contribution to GDP from 6 percent to 10 percent.
He made the remarks during the 33rd annual edition of the South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE), held at Yashobhoomi in Dwarka, New Delhi. The event is regarded as a premier travel and tourism exposition in India.
Shekhawat, along with Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta, attended the inaugural ceremony, which brought together stakeholders from across the tourism and travel industry.
Highlighting the importance of the event, the Union Minister said, “Continuing this journey of 33 years, SATTE has become Asia’s largest travel market. Over 2,000 exhibitors have come from India and abroad. Large stalls have been set up to showcase the tourism potential of almost every state in the country. Through all this, the B2B and B2C meetings that will take place here will undoubtedly help further grow and decentralize India’s tourism potential.”
He further emphasized that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, India’s tourism potential is being developed in line with the vision of a developed India. (ANI)
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