As India intensifies its efforts to emerge as one of the world’s leading tourism economies, the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH) will convene policymakers, global tourism leaders and industry captains at the FAITH Conclave 2026 on July 16-17 in New Delhi.
Held under the theme “Incredible India: Invaluable Economics,” the two-day conclave will focus on strategies to accelerate tourism-led economic growth and unlock the full potential of India’s tourism sector. The event is expected to provide a platform for dialogue between government and industry stakeholders at a time when tourism is increasingly being recognised as a major driver of employment, investment and economic development.
The conclave’s agenda has been designed around key pillars of India’s tourism ecosystem, with discussions focusing on year-round leisure tourism, aviation-led growth, hospitality competitiveness, frontier tourism, sustainable tourism development and strengthening India’s position as a global tourism destination.
The inaugural session will be led by Union Minister of Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and will also feature addresses by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The opening session will underscore the growing importance of tourism as a strategic contributor to India’s economy.
Adding an international perspective to the discussions, Gloria Guevara, CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), will deliver the keynote address, highlighting global tourism trends and opportunities for India to strengthen its position in the international travel landscape.
The conclave will also feature a keynote address by Member of Parliament Anurag Singh Thakur. A special fireside chat with former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan will explore the theme, “Unlocking the Strategic Potential of India’s Border Destinations,” while Additional Secretary and Director General (Tourism), Government of India, Suman Billa, will address delegates on priorities for the sector.
Inbound tourism and India’s growing MICE ambitions will also feature prominently in the programme. Germany’s Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, will participate in a discussion on “Reimagining India’s Inbound Tourism Strategy – Global Learnings.” Another session will bring together Neeraj Kharwal, Managing Director of India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), and Hari Kishore, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Chairman of the India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB), to discuss strategies for strengthening India’s leadership in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) segment.
The conclave will also include sessions featuring actors Boman Irani, Anupam Kher and author, poet and television personality Shailesh Lodha, whose session, titled “The Fun Side of Incredible India,” will highlight the country’s cultural richness and storytelling traditions.
Industry participation will include several leading voices from India’s travel, aviation and hospitality sectors, including Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and CEO of IHCL; Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip; Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Group CEO of VFS Global; Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson and Managing Director of The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group; K.B. Kachru, Chairman Emeritus of Radisson Hotel Group – South Asia; Nipun Agarwal, Chief Commercial Officer of Air India; Aloke Singh, Chief Strategy Officer of IndiGo; Kevin Markette, Senior Director – Regional Sales, South Asia, Lufthansa Group; along with senior executives from across the travel and hospitality ecosystem.
Speaking ahead of the conclave, FAITH Chairman Puneet Chhatwal said India stands at a defining moment in its tourism journey, backed by an unparalleled civilisational heritage, diverse natural landscapes and continued government investment in infrastructure. He noted that tourism has the potential to drive employment, entrepreneurship, community development and inclusive economic growth while strengthening Brand India globally.
Chhatwal said the conclave aims to bring together policymakers and industry leaders to foster collaboration, build a shared vision and identify actionable priorities that can help position India among the world’s leading tourism destinations.
With tourism increasingly emerging as a strategic pillar of India’s economic growth, the FAITH Conclave 2026 is expected to serve as an important platform for shaping policies, encouraging public-private collaboration and identifying new growth opportunities across leisure, aviation, hospitality and MICE tourism