Organization of 'Central India Connect Chhattisgarh Marketplace-2026' on World Tourism Day
Initiative to connect Chhattisgarh's tourism with national-international markets, participation of tour operators, travel agents, and hospitality sector representatives from home and abroad.
Emphasis on business partnerships among tourism stakeholders in B2B meetings, state-level awards presented to tourism stakeholders for outstanding work.
Government committed to giving Chhattisgarh a distinct identity on the national-international tourism map - Shri Rajesh Agarwal.
Raipur, September 27, 2026 / On the occasion of World Tourism Day, 'Central India Connect Chhattisgarh Marketplace-2026' was organized at Mayfair Lake View Resort, Nava Raipur, under the joint auspices of Chhattisgarh Tourism Board and Chhattisgarh Travel Trade Association. The objective of the event was to connect Chhattisgarh's tourist destinations with domestic and international tourism markets, promote tourism business, and bring together various stakeholders of the tourism industry on one platform to increase tourist footfall in the state. Tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers, homestay operators from Chhattisgarh and various other states, especially neighboring states, along with representatives of foreign tour agencies, participated in the event.
The event was graced by the presence of the Chief Guest, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Shri Rajesh Agarwal. The event was presided over by the Chairman of Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, Shri Neelu Sharma. On this occasion, Secretary of Tourism Department Dr. S. Bharidason, Managing Director of Chhattisgarh Tourism Board Shri Saumil Ranjan Choubey, National President of Alliance India Association Shri Jagdeep Bhagat, President of Chhattisgarh Travel Trade Association Shri Jaspreet Bhatia, Shri Kapil Jain, Collector of Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi Shri Vijay Dayaram K., GM of Hotel Mayfair Shri Nilesh, CEO of Zila Panchayat GPM Shri Mukesh Rawate, along with representatives from the tourism industry, media representatives, and officers and employees of the Tourism Board were present.
Emphasis on Connecting Tourism with Employment and Local Economy
In his address, Minister of Tourism and Culture Shri Rajesh Agarwal said that tourism is not just a medium for sightseeing, but an important sector connecting nature, culture, history, heritage, and the local economy. Chhattisgarh possesses diverse tourism assets such as the vibrant tribal culture of Bastar, the natural beauty of Sarguja, waterfalls like Chitrakote and Tirathgarh, the historical and archaeological heritage of Sirpur, the religious faith of Rajim, the architectural art of Bhoramdev, and the wildlife of Barnawapara.
He stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the state government is continuously working towards giving Chhattisgarh a distinct identity on the national and international tourism map. The objective of tourism development is not just to increase the number of tourists but also to create new employment opportunities for local youth, economic empowerment for women, markets for artisans and artists, and new livelihood opportunities for rural and tribal communities.
Shri Agarwal said that 'Central India Connect Chhattisgarh Marketplace' is an important platform for connecting tourism stakeholders with domestic and international tourism markets. This will help in increasing business partnerships, connecting with new tourism markets, developing new tour packages, and taking Chhattisgarh's tourist destinations to a larger number of tourists.
Tourism Board Chairman Outlines Event Objectives
Chairman of Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, Shri Neelu Sharma, said that this event is not just a festival or a formal program, but a significant effort to take Chhattisgarh's tourism to new heights. By bringing together domestic and international tourism stakeholders and various stakeholders on one platform, efforts are being made to strengthen business relationships and give Chhattisgarh a new identity at the national and international level.
He emphasized the crucial role of travel agents and tour operators in tourism development. The B2B meeting provided opportunities to create new tourism packages and develop business partnerships. He called upon travel agents to include Chhattisgarh's tourist destinations in their tour packages and to cooperate in promoting the state's tourism potential to the country and the world.
Over 400 Travel Agencies Connected with the Tourism Board
Shri Neelu Sharma informed that through roadshows and participation in various national tourism events in major cities like Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Pune, and Chennai, Chhattisgarh's natural beauty, culture, historical heritage, and tourism facilities have been promoted. As a result of these efforts, more than 400 travel agencies have joined the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board. He added that this network will be further expanded in the coming times.
Emphasis on Giving New Direction to Tourism with Digital Technology and AI
In his presentation, Managing Director of Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, Shri Saumil Ranjan Choubey, presented the tourism potential of Chhattisgarh in the context of the World Tourism Day 2026 theme 'Tourism, Hospitality and Digitalization'. He stated that there is a need for continuous learning, experimentation, and exploration of new possibilities in the tourism sector. The use of digital technology and artificial intelligence can be an effective means for tourism-related information, promotion, tourist experience, content creation, and increasing accessibility to tourist destinations.
The presentation detailed Chhattisgarh's natural wealth, waterfalls, wildlife, caves, tribal culture, community tourism, homestays, adventure tourism, and historical and archaeological heritage. The potential of tourist and heritage sites such as Chitrakote, Tirathgarh, Kutumsar-Kailash-Dandak Caves, Mainpat, Jashpur, Bastar Dussehra, Sirpur, Bhoramdev, Dholkal Ganesh, Narayanpal, and Malhar were highlighted.
He mentioned that efforts are being made to strengthen the infrastructure for tourism development following the granting of industry status to tourism. The identification of over 280 rooms for 82 homestay beneficiaries, the Tourism Board's website and mobile app for digital reservations, and increasing market reach through investor meetings and roadshows are key initiatives. Various initiatives including the Sirpur Integrated Development Plan, Shaktipeeth Corridor, and Destination Signage & Facilities are progressing.
Work towards Connecting Local Communities with Tourism
Secretary of the Tourism Department, Dr. S. Bharidason, stated that tourism must be considered not just a subject of travel but a medium for development, employment, and economic empowerment. Special attention needs to be paid to providing employment and income opportunities by connecting local communities with tourism. He emphasized the need to develop tourism partnerships with other states and countries by converting Chhattisgarh's historical heritage, cultural richness, and natural wealth into better tourism products and packages.
Dr. Bharidason further added that the objective of today's event should not be limited to discussion but should be translated into actual tourism development through the new contacts and partnerships established here. He stressed the need for extensive promotion of Chhattisgarh's tourist destinations through digital marketing and social media.
New Direction with Tourism Granted Industry Status
President of Chhattisgarh Travel Trade Association, Shri Jaspreet Bhatia, expressed happiness over the re-organization of such an important event after a gap of approximately three years. He noted that granting industry status to tourism in Chhattisgarh has given a new direction to the sector's development. He underscored the need for dynamism, timeliness, and better implementation in the tourism sector, requiring collaboration between the government, tourism department, and all stakeholders.
Tourism Industry Participation Seen in National-International Scope
Promotional stalls were set up by various tour operators, hoteliers, and tourism organizations at the event venue. Along with the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, the Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi and Dhamtari district administrations also set up stalls to promote their tourist destinations. The participation of tourism stakeholders from various states of the country and neighboring states, along with foreign tour agencies, gave the event a broad scope.
A B2B meeting was held between travel agents and other tourism stakeholders. Discussions were held on tourism packages, business partnerships, bringing tourist groups to Chhattisgarh, and possibilities of connecting the state's tourist destinations with national and international markets. Thus, the event served as an important business connect platform for stakeholders connected to the national-international tourism market on the occasion of World Tourism Day.
Honoring Excellence in Tourism
During the event, state-level awards were presented to tourism stakeholders for their outstanding contributions in the tourism sector. The awards were presented by the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Shri Rajesh Agarwal. The Best Tourism District Promotion Award was given to Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi, Best Eco-Tourism Site Award to Takshak Bhoramdev, Best Hotel Award to Ambition Jagdalpur, Best Tour Operator Award to D. Ramesh Camp Ones, Best Tourism Startup Award to Shri Shivam Trivedi of Heritage Wala, Best Adventure Tour Operator Award to Shri Saurabh Singh of Trippy Hills, Jashpur, and Best Homestay Award to Shri Mansingh of Dhurwa Dera.
Similarly, the Best Influencer award was presented to Shri Anupam Sinha, the Best Tourist Information Center/Star Performer CTB award to Shri Srinivas Rao and team from Dongargarh, and the Best Star Performer Resort CTB award to Shri Subhash Thakur and team from Eco Hareli Resort, Barnawapara. All awards included a cash prize of ₹11,000, a memento, and a certificate. During the program, the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Shri Rajesh Agarwal, also released a coffee table book based on the archaeological sites of Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district.