BREAKING NEWS: ICONIC TOURISM SUMMIT: AI, SUSTAINABILITY, AND COLLABORATIONS TO DRIVE THE FUTURE OF INDIAN TOURISM

BREAKING NEWS: ICONIC TOURISM SUMMIT: AI, SUSTAINABILITY, AND COLLABORATIONS TO DRIVE THE FUTURE OF INDIAN TOURISM

BY INDER RAJ AHLUWALIA

NEW DELHI | 25 SEPTEMBER 2026

It was an event of substance, relevance and class.

Hosted by Redhat Communications, WION and VFS Global, the ICONIC TOURISM SUMMIT recently held in Delhi threw up interesting ideas and concepts.

The event kicked off with Jyoti Mayal welcoming the Union and Delhi tourism ministers, diplomats, and travel trade colleagues.

Declaring that the summit brings together policy makers, tourism brands and industry players, amidst technology and AI, Mayal voiced positivity. She felt that today tourism extends beyond just hotels and airlines, to include literally everything. Domestic tourism is the main segment.

She feels that the future of tourism demands collaborations. The world is looking at India. There are great investments in many sectors. Cruise tourism is growing. The industry is spreading to small towns and villages. India’s history, heritage, culture, handicrafts and cuisine are gaining international fame.

Against this background, skilling is very important and AI will improve everything. The hospitality sector will always be personalised. The five key elements for tourism’s success are innovation, sustainability, skills, inclusivity and collaborations. The industry must respond to change.

Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, was totally upbeat and declared that despite all current world problems, India is progressing and keeps on moving. While change is eternal, right now there is too much change, which means we have to adapt to the present and future. This is what India is doing and is increasing its tourist offerings. Inflation is gripping Europe and Japan etc, yet world tourism is increasing and numbers are growing.

He feels that all sectors are growing and India’s travel growth will be nothing short of phenomenal. Climate change is a big issue which impacts strongly. On the subject of AI, he feels it will never replace the ‘human touch’. With so many positives in the country, he feels ‘Incredible India’ will become ‘Inevitable India’.

Delhi minister of Tourism and Culture, Kapil Mishra, stated that India’s ‘soft diplomacy’ is prominent. Our culture will make us a super- power. Delhi Tourism is doing a lot and a new policy is in place. More events and performances are now being held in the city. The ‘Town Hall’ is being renovated and the ‘Garden of Five Senses’ is being spruced up and upgraded.

One of the summit’s highlights was the participation of several Ambassadors and high Commissioners, namely, of Argentina, South Africa, Ireland, Greece, Slovakia, Sri Lanka and Nicaragua. Participating in panel discussions, they all highlighted their countries’ tourist potential and attractions, and pressed home the point that they offered a lot to visiting Indians.

The summit was well attended by members of the travel and aviation industries.

(INDER RAJ AHLUWALIA IS AN INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED, MULTIPLE AWARD – WINNING TRAVEL JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR)