The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced that India will host its Global Summit in New Delhi in 2027, bringing together leading travel and tourism executives, government officials and international industry stakeholders as the country’s tourism sector continues to expand.

India was selected following a competitive process involving 21 destinations interested in hosting the event.

The summit, one of the sector’s major international gatherings, will provide a platform to showcase India’s tourism offerings, strengthen international partnerships and explore investment opportunities across the industry.

The announcement was made during the WTTC Global Summit in Malta, where Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, India’s Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, participated in discussions on the sector’s future.

He was also recognised with a WTTC Global Champion Award for his leadership and contribution to travel and tourism.

According to WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research, India’s travel and tourism sector contributed $263.6 billion to the national economy in 2025, recording growth of 7.3% and supporting 46.2 million jobs, equivalent to more than one in every 10 jobs in the country.

The council forecasts that the sector’s economic contribution will increase by 8.5% in 2026 to $286.1 billion, supporting 48.1 million jobs.

Over the following decade, its contribution is projected to nearly double, reaching $527 billion by 2036.

India’s domestic tourism market remains a major driver of this growth. Domestic visitor spending reached $203 billion in 2025, accounting for 86% of total travel and tourism expenditure.

 WTTC’s research also points to significant potential to increase international visitor spending and capture a larger share of global tourism demand.

The country is projected to rise from the world’s 10th-largest travel and tourism economy to fourth by 2036, according to WTTC.

Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, Chairman, WTTC, said: “We are delighted to bring the world’s most important Travel & Tourism event to India in 2027, chosen from among 21 destinations. New Delhi will provide the perfect stage for global leaders to come together, drive collaboration, and continue shaping the future of the sector.”

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, said: “India is a country with extraordinary tourism potential and a sector that is already delivering remarkable economic growth. Its scale, ambition and growing global connectivity make it a natural place to bring the world’s Travel & Tourism leaders together.

“This will be an opportunity to showcase the country to our global membership, strengthen public-private partnerships and look at how India can capture even more of the international demand that is driving the next chapter of global Travel & Tourism.”

The 2027 summit is expected to create opportunities for international businesses and investors to engage with India’s expanding tourism ecosystem, including hospitality, aviation, business travel, technology, infrastructure and destination development.

The event also reflects the WTTC’s focus on strengthening cooperation between governments and private-sector leaders to address the opportunities and challenges shaping the industry.

While India’s substantial domestic market provides a strong foundation, expanding its international visitor economy is expected to be a key priority in the next phase of growth.

The summit will offer a platform to explore strategies for attracting international travellers, encouraging investment and developing partnerships to support the country’s tourism ambitions.

Hosting the event will place India at the centre of global industry discussions as it seeks to strengthen its international tourism profile and build on its expanding economic contribution from travel and tourism. -TradeArabia News Service