New Delhi will welcome global tourism executives, government leaders and investors as India seeks to build on its fast-growing travel economy and attract greater international visitor spending.
India has been selected to host the 27th Global Summit of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in 2027, positioning the country at the centre of global tourism discussions and investment engagement.
The announcement was made by WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio at the closing of the council’s 26th Global Summit in Valletta, Malta, on October 9, 2026. India was selected following a competitive process involving 21 destinations that expressed interest in hosting the event, according to WTTC.
The summit is expected to bring together senior executives from travel, aviation, hospitality and related industries, alongside government representatives and investors. It will provide a platform to discuss the sector’s future while showcasing India’s tourism offering, infrastructure development and opportunities for international partnerships.
India’s tourism economy gains momentum
WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research estimates that travel and tourism contributed US$263.6 billion to India’s economy in 2025, representing annual growth of 7.3% and supporting 46.2 million jobs—more than one in every 10 jobs nationally.
The council forecasts that the sector’s economic contribution will increase by 8.5% in 2026 to US$286.1 billion, supporting 48.1 million jobs. By 2036, its contribution is projected to reach US$527 billion, nearly doubling over the decade.
India’s extensive domestic tourism market remains central to this expansion. Domestic visitor spending reached US$203 billion in 2025, accounting for 86% of total travel and tourism spending, according to WTTC research.
The council has also identified international visitor spending as a significant opportunity for future growth. Strengthening global connectivity, attracting overseas visitors and encouraging investment in tourism infrastructure could help India expand its share of international travel demand.
A platform for investment and partnerships
The 2027 summit is expected to create opportunities for international companies to engage with Indian tourism stakeholders across hospitality, aviation, leisure, travel technology and destination development.
India’s varied tourism portfolio, spanning cultural heritage, nature, spiritual travel, business events and leisure destinations, provides a broad base for potential partnerships. Continued infrastructure development and collaboration between government and industry will be important to translating that potential into sustainable growth.
WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio said the organisation was pleased to bring its global gathering to India after the competitive selection process. He described New Delhi as a platform for international leaders to strengthen collaboration and help shape the future of travel and tourism.
WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara said India’s scale, tourism potential and growing global connectivity made it a strong setting for the summit. She added that the event would offer an opportunity to strengthen public-private partnerships and explore ways for India to capture a greater share of international demand.
Tourism minister receives global recognition
The host announcement came as India’s Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, participated in the Malta summit. WTTC also presented him with its Global Champion Award, recognising his leadership and contribution to the development and competitiveness of India’s travel and tourism sector.
Shekhawat welcomed the decision to bring the summit to India, describing it as both a privilege and a responsibility. He highlighted the importance of cooperation between governments and private-sector businesses, including the role of investment, innovation, technology and enabling policies.
The minister said India would use the opportunity to welcome the international tourism community and demonstrate its commitment to tourism that is inclusive, sustainable, innovative and accessible.
India aims to turn global attention into investment
Suman Billa, Director General in India’s Ministry of Tourism, said preparations would involve structured engagement with states and potential investors in the run-up to the summit. The aim, he indicated, is to identify opportunities and develop investment proposals that could lead to concrete commitments during the event.
Billa also said the organisers were looking at an attendance of at least 5,000 people, underlining the scale of the gathering being envisaged. This figure should be treated as a planning target rather than a confirmed attendance number.
For India, the summit represents an opportunity not only to showcase destinations but also to build commercial relationships, encourage investment and strengthen its international tourism profile. The focus will be on converting global industry interest into partnerships that support the next phase of growth.
