This year, the Ministry is leading a delegation of nearly 50 stakeholders, including State Governments, inbound tour operators, airlines and hoteliers, to showcase India’s rich cultural diversity and extensive range of tourism products and immersive experiences. The participation aligns with India’s strategic vision to strengthen inbound tourism and position the country as a premier global travel destination.
The Incredible India Pavilion at WTM London 2026 places special emphasis on India’s art, crafts and cultural traditions, reflecting the creativity of its artisans and the diversity of its heritage.
Addressing the international media at a press conference, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism and Culture, Government of India, highlighted India’s strong tourism growth, infrastructure development and focus on promoting emerging destinations and strengthening international partnerships.
The Minister said, “India offers an extraordinary range of experiences, many of which are yet to be discovered by international travellers. We are working towards developing 50 globally benchmarked tourist destinations, with a focus on infrastructure, connectivity, quality accommodation and visitor facilities.
Additionally, 40 tourism projects worth approximately ₹32.96 billion have been sanctioned across 23 States to develop lesser-known destinations. Our objective is to attract more international visitors, encourage longer stays and ensure that tourism creates meaningful economic opportunities for local communities.
We invite travellers from the UK, Europe and across the world to explore India’s remarkable diversity and discover experiences that go beyond the familiar.”
India’s Tourism Sector Records Strong Growth
India’s tourism sector continues to demonstrate significant growth. The country recorded 4.29 billion domestic tourist visits in 2025, an increase of approximately 45.6% over 2024. International tourist arrivals reached 20.22 million. Foreign exchange earnings from tourism stood at approximately US$31.7 billion.
Tourism contributed 5.22% to India’s GDP and supported approximately 84.63 million direct and indirect jobs in 2023–24.
Showcasing India’s Diversity Through Global Partnerships and Storytelling
With 45 UNESCO World Heritage properties, India offers an exceptional range of experiences spanning heritage, spirituality, wildlife, adventure, wellness, beaches, luxury and experiential travel. The Ministry is strengthening destination promotion through partnerships with the private sector, leveraging airline networks, digital platforms, experiential travel and creative storytelling.
As part of its collaboration with Netflix, the Ministry of Tourism, in association with the Ministry of Culture, has entered into an MoU to leverage storytelling to showcase India’s cultural heritage, diverse landscapes and tourism experiences to global audiences.
Following the launch of four destination films, the Ministry unveiled the fifth film in the series at WTM London, celebrating the majestic Himalayas.
The film brings to life the breathtaking landscapes and timeless beauty of India’s mountains, highlighting how powerful storytelling can spark wanderlust, inspire journeys and encourage travellers to experience these extraordinary destinations first-hand. Sometimes, all it takes is a story to make you pack your bags and head for the mountains.
The Ministry is also working with industry partners, including Airbnb, Air India, IndiGo and Royal Enfield, to promote India’s destinations and experiences to international audiences.
Promoting Cultural Tourism and India’s Growing Events Economy
India is increasingly positioning itself as a destination for major cultural events, festivals and international gatherings. The India Art, Architecture and Design Biennale, scheduled in New Delhi from 4 December 2026 to 21 March 2027, will bring together art, architecture and design across the capital’s monuments, museums and public spaces.
The Banaras Biennale, taking place from 27 November to 31 December 2026, will celebrate Kashi’s living heritage through art, textiles, handicrafts, music, performances and cuisine.
These events will create new reasons to visit India, encourage longer stays and generate opportunities for hotels, restaurants, transport operators, artists, artisans and local enterprises.
India is also developing its potential in international concerts, festivals, sporting events, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), and destination weddings.
Modern convention facilities such as Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi, alongside India’s hospitality infrastructure and distinctive cultural settings, offer significant opportunities for international event organisers.
Digital Transformation and Responsible Tourism
On World Tourism Day, 27 September 2026, India launched the National Digital Tourism Stack, an initiative to create an open and interoperable digital ecosystem for tourism. It aims to make tourism services easier to discover and access while enabling small businesses, local guides, homestays and experience providers to participate in the digital economy.
The Incredible India Digital Platform further supports this effort by bringing together destination information, itineraries, attractions, festivals, events and travel-service links, supported by AI-enabled assistance and multilingual content.
The Ministry remains committed to responsible and sustainable tourism, with a focus on preserving India’s natural and cultural heritage while ensuring that local communities, artisans, guides, homestay operators and small enterprises benefit from tourism growth.
India to Host WTM Spotlight India and WTTC Global Summit in 2027
Further strengthening India’s engagement with the global travel industry, New Delhi will host WTM Spotlight India from 2 to 4 March 2027 at Yashobhoomi.
The event will bring together international buyers, destinations, tour operators, airlines, hospitality businesses, travel technology companies and tourism leaders, providing a platform for business partnerships, investment and collaboration.
India will also host the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit in November 2027 in New Delhi, bringing together global tourism CEOs, policymakers, investors and industry leaders to deliberate on investment, connectivity, technology, sustainability and the future of travel.
Strengthening Tourism Ties with the UK and Europe
The United Kingdom is the second-largest source market for inbound tourists to India, with approximately 1.02 million visitors travelling from the UK in 2024.
India sees considerable potential to attract more British and European travellers, particularly those interested in culture, wildlife, wellness, adventure, luxury and experiential tourism.
Through its participation at WTM London 2026, India reaffirms its commitment to strengthening international partnerships, attracting more
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