Jaipur, September 18: The sixth edition of the Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart (RDTM) witnessed the grand opening of its two-day exhibition at the B.M. Birla Convention Centre in Jaipur on Thursday. Rajasthan Chief Secretary V. Srinivas inaugurated the exhibition by cutting the ribbon and lighting the ceremonial lamp.
After the inauguration, Srinivas toured the exhibition and visited various stalls, interacting with exhibitors and learning about tourism and hospitality products, services and new travel experiences from different parts of Rajasthan. Tourism Secretary Shuchi Tyagi, Tourism Commissioner Rukmani Riar, senior tourism officials, representatives of the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR), hospitality sector representatives and other key tourism industry stakeholders were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary V. Srinivas said the participation of tour operators, hotels, heritage properties and other tourism stakeholders from across the country was encouraging. He said the footfall at the exhibition reflected the growing importance of domestic tourism. Various tourism products, including hotels, technology solutions, Palace on Wheels and caravans, along with initiatives related to innovation and sustainable tourism, are being showcased at the exhibition.
He added that the government is working on new innovations for domestic tourists visiting Rajasthan. Referring to caravans displayed at the exhibition, he said tourists could use them during long journeys, making travel more convenient and comfortable.
Former Jaipur royal family member Sawai Padmanabh Singh also visited the RDTM exhibition and took a tour of the various displays.
Rajasthan Tourism Secretary Shuchi Tyagi said tourists today are looking beyond traditional destinations and increasingly seeking authentic and experience-based journeys. She highlighted Rajasthan's potential in wedding, rural, wildlife, eco-tourism, wellness, adventure, spiritual, monsoon and MICE tourism.
She said efforts are being made to develop Rajasthan as a year-round tourism destination while promoting lesser-known destinations, new tourism circuits and local experiences. This, she said, would help increase tourists' length of stay and extend the benefits of tourism to local communities, artisans, entrepreneurs, homestay operators, guides and other stakeholders.
Tourism Commissioner Rukmani Riar said the sixth edition of RDTM aims to strengthen domestic tourism, particularly in view of the prevailing geopolitical situation, while creating new business opportunities for stakeholders associated with Rajasthan's tourism sector.
She also highlighted a new initiative to take RDTM to districts to promote lesser-known destinations and local tourism products. Delegates are being introduced to Rajasthan's diverse tourism offerings through experiences involving the architecture of Amer Fort, the state's sporting heritage through polo and handicrafts made by women artisans associated with Rajeevika.
FHTR President Surendra Singh Shahpura said RDTM has now emerged as a major celebration for the tourism sector. He said FHTR has also been entrusted with organising the first Marwar Travel Mart. For the first time, wedding planners from across the country have been invited to the event, opening new opportunities for Rajasthan's wedding and MICE industries.
He added that the tourism industry had played an important role in Rising Rajasthan and that efforts were being made to connect rural areas with tourism in line with the state's tourism policies, creating investment and employment opportunities in underserved regions.
With the opening of the exhibition, pre-scheduled business-to-business (B2B) meetings between registered buyers and sellers are being held over two days. The meetings are taking place at registered sellers' booths, where buyers are exploring Rajasthan's tourism and hospitality products and services and discussing potential business opportunities.
RDTM has brought together major stakeholders from India's travel and tourism industry, including hoteliers, luxury and experience-based tourism service providers, travel agents, tour operators, wedding planners, event managers, airlines, tourism boards, policymakers, media representatives and social media influencers.
This year, around 300 travel agents from across the country and more than 700 properties and tour companies from Rajasthan are participating across nearly 160 pavilions. The exhibition is showcasing Rajasthan's tourism destinations, hospitality services and experience-based tourism products to leading buyers from across India.
For the first time, the event has also provided a platform to the events and wedding industry, creating an opportunity to promote the art, culture, heritage and cuisine of lesser-known regions of Rajasthan on a wider platform.
The exhibition will remain open for the public on September 19, while B2B meetings and other activities will continue during the two-day event.
Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart 2026 is being organised by the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR) in association with the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan. The event is supported by several tourism and hospitality associations, including the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Rajasthan (HRAR), Rajasthan Association of Tour Operators (RATO), Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA), Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) and Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), among other national tourism organisations.
This year, the CREDAI Tourism Wing is also participating in the event and contributing to efforts aimed at promoting tourism development. The mart seeks to showcase the diversity of Rajasthan's tourism and hospitality sector while creating new business opportunities for industry stakeholders.
Special Millet Cake Cutting Ceremony on PM Modi's Birthday
During the RDTM 2026 opening programme, FHTR representatives celebrated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday by cutting a special cake prepared from millet. The millet cake was specially brought from Jodhpur and was a key attraction of the celebration.
The initiative highlighted Rajasthan's rich millet-based food traditions and the importance of millets in promoting a healthy lifestyle. The celebration was also organised in support of the Prime Minister's vision of promoting 'Shree Anna' and creating greater awareness about millet consumption.