The Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR) and the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, jointly hosted the stakeholders’ meeting of the fifth edition of the Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart (RDTM) 2025 at ITC Rajputana, Jaipur. The meeting brought together industry leaders, experts, and institutional representatives to discuss the roadmap for the upcoming event, scheduled to be held from September 12 to 14 in Jaipur.
The gathering was graced by Rajesh Yadav, Principal Secretary, Rajasthan Tourism Department, and Commissioner of Tourism, Rukmani Riar. Other dignitaries present included former FHTR President Apoorv Kumar, FHTR President Kuldip Singh Chandela, Senior Vice President Surendra S. Shahpura, and Secretary General CA Virendra S. Shekhawat, among others.
Speaking on the occasion, Principal Secretary Rajesh Yadav highlighted Rajasthan’s enduring appeal for domestic and international travelers. He noted that Rajasthan currently ranks fifth in terms of tourist preference, with 7–8 per cent share in both domestic and foreign tourist arrivals in 2023–24. The state government, he said, has introduced special schemes for the hospitality sector while also investing heavily in infrastructure.
“Today’s tourists are increasingly looking beyond historical monuments and seeking experiential tourism. We must identify and develop new destinations to cater to this demand. The state government is working with a commitment to innovation and has already undertaken tourism projects worth ₹1,000 crore, with plans to invest ₹5,000 crore over the next five years,” Yadav said.
He further informed that district collectors have been directed to identify potential new tourist sites across categories – including heritage landmarks, natural attractions such as lakes, waterfalls, dunes, forests, and hills, culturally significant villages, fairs and festivals, religious and spiritual sites, and locations suitable for adventure, eco, or wellness tourism. Local art, crafts, cuisine, and traditions that could be integrated into experiential tourism are also being documented.
Yadav stressed the importance of balancing “over-tourism” in popular destinations like Jaisalmer and called for promoting rural tourism to engage the younger generation and expand tourism opportunities across the state. He also urged stakeholders to contribute innovative ideas for developing new destinations and experiences.
CA Virendra S. Shekhawat, Secretary General of FHTR, noted that FHTR is Rajasthan’s apex tourism body, supported by the Hotels and Restaurants Association of Rajasthan and the Rajasthan Association of Tour Operators. “FHTR has always played a leading role in promoting tourism in the state,” he said.
FHTR President Kuldip Singh Chandela emphasised the need for collaboration across the tourism sector. “Tourism is like one big family, and collective efforts strengthen it. We also need to establish research institutions to engage students in this sector. Roadshows and international promotions before RDTM have already given a major boost to Rajasthan tourism,” he added, thanking the government for supporting FHTR’s international outreach.
Tourism Commissioner Rukmani Riar underlined the sector’s progress since 2019, pointing out that tourism’s contribution to India’s GDP has grown by 20 per cent in this period, with a 9 per cent increase in overall expenditure. She noted that FHTR has actively participated in 25 national and 5–6 international events, enhancing Rajasthan’s presence globally. “Now is the time to present RDTM more effectively on the global stage,” she said.
The upcoming RDTM 2025 will be organised in collaboration with several prestigious associations, including the Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA), Hotels and Restaurants Association of Rajasthan (HRAR), Rajasthan Association of Tour Operators (RATO), Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Global Association of Events and Hospitality Professionals, and the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI).
The significance of the event is evident from past success. The previous edition witnessed the participation of over 240 national buyers and 280 Rajasthan-based sellers, generating more than 7,000 B2B meetings. These engagements created strong leads for hotel bookings, curated travel experiences, and destination weddings, underlying RDTM’s role as a catalyst for tourism growth in the state.
With expectations of greater participation this year, RDTM 2025 is poised to open new business opportunities and strengthen Rajasthan’s position as a leading tourism destination in India.
