Panaji, Aug 16 (IANS) Goa will host its first ever International Travel Mart (ITM) Oct 14-17 to expose the state’s travel and tourism operators to domestic and international markets, an official said Monday.

Goa Tourism Development Corp (GTDC) managing director Nikhil Dessai told a press conference that the ITM was aimed at increasing business interaction among the buyers and sellers of the tourism industry.

‘We have confirmed the participation of 12-15 international buyers as well as attendance from foreign tourism boards (FTB),’ Dessai said.

Dessai said the state government was spending nearly Rs.70 lakh on ITM, which would partially be subsidised by grants from the union tourism ministry.