SATTE’s Landmark EY Report Shows ₹3,000 Crore Economic Impact, Cementing Its Role as India’s Travel Gateway

On a crisp October morning in New Delhi, Shri Suman Billa, IAS, Additional Secretary and Director‑General of the Ministry of Tourism, unveiled a report that feels a bit like a scorecard for the whole Indian travel ecosystem. The study – the first independent Economic Impact Report for SATTE, put together with EY – puts a number to something the industry has long suspected: the South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) is more than a trade show; it’s an economic engine.

According to the EY‑backed analysis, SATTE 2026 generated a direct and indirect impact of roughly ₹3,000 crore. That’s not just a headline‑grabbing figure; it translates into tens of thousands of hotel nights, thousands of flight bookings, and a massive ripple of employment across the sector. In plain terms, every booth, every handshake, every coffee‑break conversation added up to a sizable slice of the country’s tourism pie.

Numbers, however, only tell part of the story. The exhibition attracted more than 1,500 exhibitors and saw over 45,000 visits, with 26,000+ unique attendees arriving from 60+ countries. Spread across a sprawling 37,000 sq m of floor space, the event became a crossroads where destination marketers, travel agents, cruise lines and tech providers could actually meet face‑to‑face – something that virtual platforms still struggle to replicate.

What really caught the eye of exhibitors was the lead‑generation success rate. EY’s findings reveal that 89 % of participants walked away with tangible business leads, and an even higher 92 % said they’re already planning to return for SATTE 2027. Those aren’t just optimistic estimates; they’re reflections of real‑world intent to keep the conversation going, to turn a fleeting introduction into a lasting partnership.

Beyond the booth, the report highlights broader economic benefits: more than 45,000 man‑days of employment, over 50,000 hotel‑room nights booked, and upwards of 25,000 flight reservations made because of the event. It’s a reminder that an exhibition’s footprint stretches far beyond its own walls, feeding hotels, airlines, transport services and even local eateries.

For global tourism boards eyeing India’s massive outbound market, SATTE offers a rare, concentrated opportunity. The Indian travel trade – with its thousands of agents, tour operators and DMCs – is hungry for new destinations and products. By showcasing at SATTE, international players can plant a seed that may blossom into year‑round bookings, distribution deals and brand awareness across the sub‑continent.

Building on the EY insights, the organizers have already begun shaping SATTE 2027, slated for 19‑21 January at the newly built Yashobhoomi Convention Centre. The three‑day event promises even richer networking, more focused B2B sessions, and a chance for attendees to see first‑hand how the Indian market can amplify their growth.

“This report marks a milestone for SATTE,” said Shri Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director of Informa Markets India. “For the first time we have an independent, data‑driven validation of the value we create for the travel and tourism ecosystem.”

In short, the EY report does more than tally numbers – it tells a story of confidence, of connections, and of a platform that’s proving its worth year after year. If you’re a destination, airline, hotel chain, cruise line or travel‑tech firm looking to break into India’s bustling outbound market, SATTE 2027 is shaping up to be the place where those ambitions can finally meet reality.

Ready to claim your spot? Visit satte.in/bookyourstand and start planning your participation today.