OTM Retains Top Position Among Asia-Pacific Travel Trade Shows for Third Year Running

Mumbai: The Outbound Travel Mart (OTM), managed by Fairfest Media, has secured its position as the premier travel trade show across India and the broader Asia-Pacific region, according to findings from an independent market research study conducted by NielsenIQ, a global consumer intelligence firm.

The research marks the third consecutive year in which OTM has received this recognition. The customised study examined perceptions among exhibitors and visitors who had attended OTM alongside one or more competing travel trade shows in the region.

The 2026 research demonstrates strengthened performance compared to previous years. Respondents showed notably higher preference levels for OTM, with the lead expanding across successive annual studies. The evaluation assessed business value perceptions alongside market positioning.

The survey analysed 15 international travel trade shows operating across Asia and 19 regional events in India. The comparison included major competitors such as SATTE Delhi, ITB Asia Singapore, TTF, and ITB India.

Key findings from the research reveal that among respondents participating in OTM and at least one other travel trade show in India, 63 per cent identified OTM as the country's leading travel trade show—substantially ahead of any competing event. When assessed at the Asia-wide level, 36 per cent of respondents designated OTM as Asia's leading travel show, again surpassing other regional events.

Perhaps most significantly, 71 per cent of eligible respondents credited OTM with delivering the highest overall business value among all evaluated travel trade shows.

The research methodology involved online surveys conducted between 18 March and 7 April 2026, encompassing respondents from India, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Switzerland, and South Africa. The study drew from a substantially expanded respondent pool compared to the previous year's research, including 435 total respondents—77 exhibitors and 358 visitors, more than double the prior year's sample size. The research utilised a database comprising over 14,000 visitors and more than 2,200 global exhibitors.

This year's findings show marked improvement from the 2025 study, when 55 per cent of respondents who attended two or more shows in India had ranked OTM as the country's leading travel trade show.

Sanjiv Agarwal, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fairfest Media, commented on the results: "These findings carry particular weight because they demonstrate both market leadership and tangible business value. The fact that more than seven in ten eligible respondents selected OTM as delivering the highest overall business value underscores our commitment to connecting quality buyers, facilitating meaningful interactions, and generating measurable returns for travel industry professionals. With India and Asia gaining increasing prominence in global tourism, OTM will continue functioning as the essential meeting ground for industry stakeholders to engage with these expanding opportunities."

OTM has progressively strengthened its international presence, elevated buyer quality standards, and expanded industry participation. As India and Asia solidify their roles as pivotal travel markets globally, the show's strategic importance for the international travel sector continues to grow.