The third edition of Central India Connect Marketplace 2026 brought together more than 60 exhibitors, tourism professionals, travel trade representatives and destination stakeholders from India and overseas at Mayfair Lake Resort, Raipur, on 27 September 2026. The event was presented by the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board in association with the Chhattisgarh Travel Trade Association (CGTTA) and coincided with World Tourism Day.
The marketplace provided a dedicated platform for tourism businesses and industry professionals to connect, showcase destinations and explore new business opportunities through B2B meetings, exhibitions and networking activities.
Central India Connect Marketplace 2026 Creates B2B Platform for Tourism Industry
The Central India Connect Marketplace 2026 featured an afternoon B2B and exhibition programme designed to facilitate direct interaction between travel trade representatives, tourism businesses and destination stakeholders.
Participants from Chhattisgarh and other parts of India, along with international tourism stakeholders, formed part of the marketplace’s wider industry network. The B2B format enabled participating businesses to present their destinations, tourism products and services while establishing new professional connections.
The event’s focus on direct business interaction reflects the growing importance of trade marketplaces in connecting tourism suppliers with travel agents, tour operators, destination representatives and other industry professionals.
More Than 60 Exhibitors Participate in Raipur Marketplace
More than 60 exhibitors participated in the Central India Connect Marketplace 2026, bringing together a diverse mix of tourism and travel industry representatives.
The exhibition component created an opportunity for participants to showcase destinations, tourism products and travel-related offerings to a targeted B2B audience. Such interactions also provided participating businesses with opportunities to understand market requirements, exchange ideas and explore potential partnerships.
With domestic and international stakeholders attending the marketplace, the event provided a broader platform for tourism businesses seeking to expand their professional networks.
Technology and AI Take Focus at Central India Connect Marketplace 2026
Technology and artificial intelligence were among the key themes highlighted during the event. Discussions around AI and technology-led solutions reflected the changing nature of the tourism industry and the growing role of digital tools in travel planning, destination marketing and business operations.
The focus on technology added another dimension to the Central India Connect Marketplace 2026, which was not limited to destination promotion and B2B meetings. Industry conversations also encouraged participants to consider emerging technologies and changing consumer expectations within the tourism ecosystem.
As travel businesses increasingly adopt digital platforms and technology-based solutions, discussions around AI provided an opportunity for tourism stakeholders to exchange perspectives on the sector’s evolving requirements.
Destination Showcases and Industry Networking
Destination and product showcases formed an important part of the marketplace. Participating stakeholders used the exhibition to present tourism destinations and offerings while engaging with travel trade professionals.
Networking remained another major component of the Central India Connect Marketplace 2026. The B2B setting allowed representatives from different segments of the tourism industry to interact directly and identify potential areas for cooperation.
For destinations and tourism businesses, such industry platforms can provide opportunities to strengthen trade relationships and build awareness among travel professionals.
Senior Tourism Stakeholders Participate in the Event
The event also witnessed participation from senior tourism stakeholders, tourism officials and industry representatives. Chhattisgarh Tourism Minister Rajesh Agrawal and Chhattisgarh Tourism Board Chairman Neelu Sharma were among the prominent participants associated with the programme.
Their participation added an institutional dimension to the marketplace and highlighted the role of collaboration between government tourism bodies and the private travel trade.
The presence of tourism officials alongside exhibitors, travel professionals and destination representatives also reinforced the event’s objective of bringing different parts of the tourism ecosystem together on a common platform.
Evening Programme Extends Tourism Industry Engagement
Following the afternoon B2B and exhibition activities, the event continued with an evening programme. The programme extended the day’s industry engagement and provided another setting for tourism stakeholders to interact and discuss developments within the sector.
Held around World Tourism Day, the programme also provided an opportunity to highlight tourism development, collaboration and the importance of industry partnerships.
The combination of B2B meetings, exhibition activities, networking and the evening programme gave Central India Connect Marketplace 2026 a comprehensive format for industry engagement.
Central India Connect Marketplace Enters Its Third Edition
The 2026 event marked the third edition of Central India Connect Marketplace. Since its launch, the marketplace has developed as a platform focused on bringing tourism businesses, destinations and travel trade representatives together for direct interaction.
The third edition continued this B2B-oriented approach while introducing stronger attention to technology, collaboration and emerging opportunities in the tourism sector.
The participation of more than 60 exhibitors demonstrated the continuing interest in dedicated industry platforms where tourism stakeholders can meet potential business partners and exchange market knowledge.
Chhattisgarh Tourism and Central India’s Growing Industry Network
The marketplace also highlighted the role of Chhattisgarh as a meeting point for tourism stakeholders from Central India and other markets. By bringing together domestic and international participants, the event created a platform for discussions around destinations, travel products and business opportunities.
For the regional tourism industry, such marketplaces can support stronger connections between destinations and travel trade representatives while encouraging greater collaboration across different tourism segments.
The participation of government representatives, tourism boards, travel trade professionals and exhibitors further reflected the interconnected nature of the modern tourism industry.
Central India Connect Marketplace 2026 Focuses on Future Tourism Opportunities
The Central India Connect Marketplace 2026 combined traditional B2B tourism networking with conversations around technology and emerging opportunities. Its focus on AI and technology highlighted how digital transformation is becoming increasingly relevant to tourism businesses and destination stakeholders.
At the same time, the marketplace retained its core emphasis on face-to-face business interaction, destination showcases and professional networking. This combination provided participating stakeholders with opportunities to build relationships while also discussing changes affecting the tourism sector.
As the tourism industry continues to evolve, platforms that encourage knowledge exchange and collaboration can play an important role in connecting businesses, destinations and travel professionals.
Central India Connect Marketplace 2026 Marks Another Milestone in Tourism Networking
The third edition of Central India Connect Marketplace 2026 brought together more than 60 exhibitors and a wide network of tourism and travel trade stakeholders at Mayfair Lake Resort in Raipur on 27 September 2026.
Presented by the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board in association with CGTTA, the marketplace featured B2B interactions, an exhibition, destination and product showcases, networking opportunities and an evening programme.
With its continued focus on direct industry engagement and its growing attention to AI, technology and emerging tourism opportunities, the 2026 edition added another chapter to the development of Central India Connect Marketplace as a B2B platform for the tourism industry.
