New Delhi, September 30, 2026: Greater private-sector investment, development of new destinations and a stronger focus on destination management and visitor experience will be critical to driving the next phase of India’s tourism growth, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism and Culture, Government of India, said at the ASSOCHAM National Tourism Conclave 2026 held in New Delhi today.
Organised under the theme “Tourism as an Economic Engine: Technology, Policy, Investment & Global Partnerships,” the Conclave brought together government and industry stakeholders to discuss the policy and investment priorities required to strengthen tourism as a driver of economic growth, employment and regional development. Discussions focused on connectivity and destination infrastructure, investment facilitation, ease of travel, technology adoption, skills, destination development and stronger Centre-State-industry coordination.
The Conclave also highlighted the changing nature of India’s tourism demand. The ASSOCHAM-CBRE report points to growing opportunities across spiritual, MICE, wellness, cruise, rural and wildlife tourism, supported by improving connectivity through expressways, rail networks, ropeways and river-based circuits.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister for Tourism and Culture, Government of India, said, “Tourism is emerging as an important driver of economic growth and employment, with the potential to play a much larger role in India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047. As the economy grows and connectivity improves through highways, airports, railways and new transport corridors, the demand for tourism and travel experiences will also expand significantly. This will require greater investment and stronger participation from the private sector. The next phase of tourism growth will require us to look beyond increasing tourist numbers and focus on building new destinations, creating new experiences and improving destination management. The quality of the visitor experience is critical, and this requires investment in infrastructure, hospitality and human resource development across the tourism ecosystem. Technology will also be central to improving the tourism experience, from destination discovery and parking to feedback and visitor services. The government has been working with technology companies, airlines and other platforms to strengthen this ecosystem, but greater private-sector participation and partnerships will be important. With the right combination of policy support, technology and investment, tourism can create significant opportunities for businesses, communities and the wider economy.”
The Minister’s remarks reinforced the need to expand tourism capacity beyond established destinations and create an investment ecosystem that can support rising travel demand. Destination infrastructure, hospitality capacity, skilled manpower and effective destination management will be increasingly important as new tourism circuits and experiences emerge.
Shri Nirmal K. Minda, President, ASSOCHAM, said, “India’s tourism sector is at a defining juncture, evolving beyond leisure into a powerful engine of economic growth, employment, investment and regional development. As we move towards Viksit Bharat 2047, ASSOCHAM believes there is a need to build a tourism ecosystem that is globally competitive, inclusive and sustainable.
“The ASSOCHAM-CBRE report highlights how improved connectivity and emerging segments such as spiritual, MICE, wellness, cruise, rural and wildlife tourism are opening new avenues for growth and investment. Through its industry engagement, ASSOCHAM continues to focus on five key pillars—Make in India, Ease of Doing Business, MSME growth, the Digital Economy and Sustainability—to support the sector’s next phase of growth.
“Through this Conclave, ASSOCHAM is bringing government and industry stakeholders together to identify opportunities, address sectoral priorities and translate them into actionable policy and investment roadmaps. This continued industry-policy dialogue will be critical to strengthening India’s tourism ecosystem and advancing the ambition of a $1 trillion tourism economy.”
Dr. Subi Chaturvedi, Fr Member MAG, United Nations IGFsaid, “Tourism is one of the sectors where every Indian can be an ambassador for the country. India’s opportunity is not simply to bring more travellers to the destinations we already know, but to help the world discover the extraordinary places, cultures, crafts, cuisines and communities it has yet to see. AI and technology can help us move from discovery to redistribution, taking attention beyond familiar tourist circuits and opening new pathways for local guides, artisans, women entrepreneurs, homestays and small businesses. But the real measure of smart tourism is not impressions or footfall alone. It is whether every new journey creates shared value, supports local livelihoods and protects the heritage and character of the places people come to experience. When technology, policy and private-sector innovation work together, tourism can become a powerful engine of inclusive growth for India.”
Dr Arvind Kumar Sharma, Honourable Cabinet Minister for Cooperation, Jails, Elections, Heritage and Tourism, Government of Haryana, said, “Tourism has an important role to play in driving economic growth and creating opportunities across sectors. As we work towards the vision of a developed India by 2047, it is important that the benefits of tourism reach farmers, workers, MSMEs, entrepreneurs and communities. Ease of doing business, MSME growth, the digital economy, sustainability and environmental considerations are important to creating a conducive ecosystem for tourism. Haryana, with its proximity to the National Capital Region and its heritage and cultural assets, has significant potential for tourism-led development. There is also scope to explore public-private partnerships and attract investment into tourism properties and destinations. Haryana has a strong tourism proposition, from Kurukshetra and its spiritual and historical heritage to Panipat and Surajkund, as well as emerging opportunities in rural tourism. We welcome greater industry participation and investment and will continue to support initiatives that can strengthen tourism in Haryana and contribute to the growth of tourism at the national level.”
Technology emerged as another key enabler of tourism growth, particularly in improving discovery, navigation, visitor services and destination management. Speakers also highlighted the need to use technology to take travellers beyond established tourist circuits and create more personalised and seamless experiences.
Mr Anshuman Magazine, Chairman & CEO, India, South East Asia, Middle East and Africa, CBRE, said, “India has a strong tourism proposition, with its mix of heritage, spirituality, culture, wildlife, wellness, beaches and mountains. The opportunity now is to strengthen infrastructure, destination management, cleanliness and safety while leveraging technology and AI to create a more seamless travel experience. With greater collaboration between government and the private sector, tourism can become a major engine of employment and regional prosperity.”
Mr Ravi Gosain, President, IATO, said, “Tourism’s contribution to India’s economy goes far beyond arrivals and hotel rooms. It supports transport, hospitality, local businesses, artisans, guides and communities, while creating opportunities for young and women entrepreneurs. With our rich culture, heritage, nature, spirituality, wildlife and cuisine, India has a strong tourism proposition that can be developed into experiences that are easy to discover, book and enjoy. Technology and AI can make travel planning more personalised and help businesses reach the right audiences, but the human element remains at the heart of tourism. To unlock the sector’s full potential, we also need continued investment in connectivity, digital infrastructure, skills and lesser-known destinations. Stronger government-industry collaboration can help turn India’s tourism potential into greater economic opportunity and better experiences for travellers.”
The ASSOCHAM-CBRE report highlights a broadening tourism ecosystem, with opportunities emerging across spiritual tourism, MICE and destination events, wellness and medical tourism, cruise circuits, rural tourism and wildlife experiences. These segments are creating demand not only for hotels but also for transport, retail, food and beverage, local enterprises, attractions and destination infrastructure.
The report noted that organised hotel occupancy increased to 64.1% in 2025 from 42.0% in 2021, while growth in average daily rates supported a recovery in RevPAR beyond pre-pandemic levels. Improving connectivity and the emergence of new destinations are also opening opportunities for hospitality and tourism investment beyond established markets.
The Conclave’s discussions further examined the policy and investment ecosystem required to support the next phase of tourism growth, including destination infrastructure, ease of doing business, visa and visitor facilitation, digital governance, investment frameworks, PPP models, skills development and stronger coordination between central, state and local stakeholders.
ASSOCHAM reiterated the need for sustained government-industry engagement to identify sectoral gaps, facilitate investment and support policy measures that can strengthen India’s tourism competitiveness, expand the economic benefits of tourism and contribute to the country’s broader growth ambitions.
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