Aarish Khan
Chief Commercial Officer, India Business, Tbo.com
I see the industry moving toward more personalized, technology-enabled, and experience-driven travel. Travellers will increasingly seek value and flexibility whether through multi-modal journeys and immersive local experiences. At the same time, emerging source markets like India will continue to drive outbound growth, supported by rising disposable incomes and improved connectivity. From an industry perspective, Success in 2026 will depend on collaboration across the ecosystem, combined with sharper execution, better data-led decisions, and a strong focus on service quality and profitability.
Pranay Nath
Founder & CEO, ILoveJapan DMC
Our vision for 2026 is centred on strengthening leadership in Japan and South Korea, while preparing for the careful introduction of additional destinations within the region. To support this growth, we are building a more consolidated framework that brings our destination expertise together under a unified approach, offering trade partners greater clarity, efficiency, and ease of collaboration, while preserving the individual identity of each destination. By 2026, our goal is to be recognised as a trusted regional partner across Asia.
Prateek Hira
President & CEO – Tornos, River Rhapsody, Gastroutes and Director UnDMC, Indian Frontiers)
In 2026, our focus is on growth through relevance, innovation and digital strength across Tornos, Gastroutes, River Rhapsody and Indian Frontiers. Gastroutes is close to finalising a strategic partnership with a UK-based company to relaunch its gastronomy-led offerings for that market. River Rhapsody plans to launch its luxury river-yacht on the Ganges by end-2026 or early 2027, introducing a pioneering FIT-focused product. A key milestone will be scaling UnDMC India, our micro-destination specialist DMC, which already operates across eight Indian and two international offices and aims to double its footprint. We will also revive our Knowledge Evenings globally.
Ajay Kumar Wadhawan
Executive Director, Air IQ
Our group’s vision for 2026 spans B2B travel, hospitality, and outbound tourism through AIR IQ, AIR IQ Online, Udaan Hotels and Resorts, and TripXL. Our outbound tourism project is in place and undergoing technical modifications, expected to be ready by the first quarter of 2026, offering over 150 destinations worldwide. We aim to service more than 19,000 tour operators and onboard an additional 20,000 with a wholesome, competitive solution, including air. AIR IQ Fixed Departures are targeted to grow productivity by at least 35%, supported by over 77,000 associates. AIR IQ Online will emerge stronger through strategic and technical enhancements by April 2026. Udaan Hotels and Resorts continues to expand, with 24 properties currently and further growth planned across Northeast India.
Naresh Rawal
Senior Vice President – Sales (India & Middle East), StarDream Cruises
For StarDream Cruises, our vision for 2026 centres on growth, accessibility, and relevance. India is a key growth market, with Fly-Cruise playing a major role due to strong air connectivity between Indian cities and hubs such as Singapore. We will continue to build awareness of cruising through trade partnerships and tailored itineraries, while enhancing onboard experiences and destination offerings. With three ships homeporting year-round across Asia, we aim to offer more Fly-Cruise options from popular cities. By making cruising more approachable and appealing, we aim to be the preferred choice for Indian travellers seeking seamless and memorable holidays across multiple destinations.
Nishith Saxena,
Founder & Director, Cruise Professionals
In 2026, our focus will be on strengthening the strong & long-term collaborations with international cruise lines we currently represent and work more closely with travel agencies.
This growth will be driven by market education, product innovation and trust-building, making cruising more accessible, aspirational and relevant to Indian families, HNIs, MICE groups and first-time cruisers. By popularising Indian passenger centric itineraries, customised onboard experiences and culinary delights suiting local palate, we aim to significantly increase cruise adoption across cities.
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