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. Presented by the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board in association with the Chhattisgarh Travel Trade Association (CGTTA), the marketplace combined B2B interactions, an exhibition and an evening programme as the travel industry marked World Tourism Day.
The B2B and exhibition component ran through the afternoon, creating a dedicated setting for travel trade and tourism stakeholders to connect, showcase destinations and explore business opportunities. The event brought together participants from across Chhattisgarh and beyond, with domestic and international tourism stakeholders forming part of the marketplace’s wider industry network.
The programme also placed attention on the changing landscape of tourism, with discussions around AI and technology-led solutions. The focus reflected the event’s broader emphasis on collaboration, new business opportunities and knowledge exchange within the tourism ecosystem. The official event listing also highlighted destination and product showcases, industry conversations and networking among the programme’s key components.
The evening programme continued the industry’s engagement beyond the B2B marketplace, bringing tourism development and sector-wide conversations into the day’s programme. The event also saw participation from senior tourism stakeholders, including Chhattisgarh’s Tourism Minister Rajesh Agrawal, Chhattisgarh Tourism Board Chairman Neelu Sharma and other tourism officials and industry representatives.
Now in its third edition, Central India Connect Marketplace has developed as a platform for bringing tourism businesses, destinations and travel trade representatives into direct engagement. The 2026 edition continued that B2B-led approach while adding a stronger focus on technology, collaboration and emerging opportunities across the sector.
