On the occasion of MSME Day, a high-impact industry panel titled “Tourism Thrives Where Small Enterprises Rise” was organized as part of the official Media Curtain Raiser for the prestigious One Travel Alliance (OTA) Travel and Tourism Expo 2025 and the Global Tourism Awards. Held on June 27th at the iconic Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the event offered an exclusive preview of India’s premier travel, tourism, and trade exhibition, scheduled to take place from September 29 to October 1, 2025, at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, Delhi.
The OTA Expo is an international initiative by the Mani Global Association for Trade and Culture (an initiative of Mani Enterprises), with its India chapter managed by Rimjhim Saikia.
On the occasion the panel discussion titled “Tourism Thrives Where Small Enterprises Rise” spotlighted the pivotal role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in shaping the future of India’s travel, tourism, hospitality, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sectors. Moderated by Anil Kumar Sharma, Group Editor of Global News Network and Founder of Travel World Online, the session brought together leading voices from across the industry who emphasized that MSMEs are not just contributors—they are the backbone of India’s tourism ecosystem.
Anil Sharma opened the discussion by highlighting the unseen impact of grassroots businesses from local homestays in the Himalayas to destination management companies in Delhi that generate employment, curate unique experiences, and expand India’s tourism footprint globally. “MSMEs are the invisible hands shaping India’s travel story, and they must now take centre stage in policy and investment frameworks,” Sharma stated.
Representing the hospitality sector, Mr. Barun Gupta, General Manager at ExpoInn Suites & Convention, underscored that MSMEs including boutique hotels and local catering services are crucial to the MICE segment. “Boutique is the new big. These enterprises make India event-ready, but to grow, they need low-interest infrastructure loans, policy stability, and public-private partnerships,” Gupta said.
Mr. Subhash Verma, offering the tour operators’ perspective, stressed that small travel agencies are India’s global face. “To compete on the international stage, our operators need digital tools, GST reform, and visibility at overseas trade shows,” he said. Verma advocated for tourism-specific MSME packages and emphasized the importance of implementing national incentives at the state level.
From the MICE and business travel domain, veteran Mr. Chander Mansamrani pointed out that MSMEs are the logistical engine behind India’s global event success. “Whether it’s riggers, transporters, or decorators — every major event thrives on the work of MSMEs. We need a centralized digital registry and rating system to integrate these vendors into international circuits,” he added, referencing the legacy potential of India’s G20 hosting.
Rimjhim Saikia, Partner at OTA – One Travel Alliance, brought a Northeast India perspective to the discussion, underlining how empowering small enterprises in emerging regions can unlock sustainable tourism and local entrepreneurship. “MSMEs foster community-based tourism, preserve cultural heritage, and create inclusive growth opportunities—especially in lesser-explored regions like the Northeast,” she said. Saikia called for easier access to credit, targeted digital training, and improved last-mile infrastructure to help these businesses flourish.
When asked to name one transformative step to uplift MSMEs in their sectors, the panelists recommended:
Barun Gupta: Low-interest infrastructure loans tailored for hospitality MSMEs.
Subhash Verma: Inclusion of MSMEs in all national and state tourism roadshows abroad.
Chander Mansamrani: A centralized digital registry and certification system for MICE vendors.
Summing up the session, Anil Sharma declared, “MSMEs are not peripheral; they are central to India’s travel economy. For India to emerge as a global tourism powerhouse, we must embed small enterprises at the core of every tourism policy and promotional initiative.”
The panel’s unified message was clear and urgent: empowering MSMEs is not just about supporting small businesses it’s about powering a nation through inclusive and sustainable tourism growth.
