Valletta, October 2026
For India, this year’s World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit in Malta brought both recognition and a new responsibility. WTTC honoured H.E. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat with its Global Champion Award and announced Delhi as the host of its 2027 Summit.
Together, the two announcements place India firmly in the global tourism conversation. They also bring a wider question into focus: how can a country with such a powerful domestic travel market translate that strength into greater international appeal?
Recognition on the global stage
Presented before more than 1,000 delegates, including over 200 leading Travel & Tourism CEOs and government leaders, the Global Champion Award recognises public figures whose policies have supported the sector’s growth, competitiveness and cooperation with the private sector.
In honouring Minister Shekhawat, WTTC highlighted his advocacy for tourism and the public-private partnerships needed to support its continued development.
A market gaining weight
India’s tourism expansion is being shaped by economic growth, rising consumer spending, infrastructure investment and an expanding middle class.
According to WTTC’s Economic Impact Research, Travel & Tourism contributed US$263.6 billion to the Indian economy in 2025, up 7.3%, and supported 46.2 million jobs — more than one in every ten nationwide.
For 2026, WTTC forecasts a further 8.5% increase in the sector’s economic contribution, to US$286.1 billion, with employment reaching 48.1 million jobs. By 2036, that contribution is projected to reach US$527 billion, moving India from the world’s tenth-largest Travel & Tourism economy to the fourth.
These projections point to a shift in India’s weight within the global industry, with implications for hospitality, aviation, technology and investment.
The strength of home
The foundation of this growth lies largely within India itself. Domestic visitors spent US$203 billion in 2025, accounting for 86% of all Travel & Tourism spending.
That balance is central to understanding the country’s trajectory. India’s tourism economy draws much of its strength from residents travelling within their own country, creating a broad base of demand for destinations, transport and hospitality businesses.
India is one of the most exciting Travel & Tourism stories in the world today,
said Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, highlighting the strength of its domestic market alongside increasing international demand.
For India, attracting a greater share of international visitor spending is the next opportunity identified by WTTC. The challenge is to build on the depth of the domestic market while making the country’s diverse tourism offering more accessible and compelling to overseas travellers.
Delhi 2027: from visibility to opportunity
Selected from among 22 interested destinations, Delhi will host the WTTC Global Summit in 2027, bringing industry leaders and government representatives into direct contact with the Indian market.
Delhi will provide the perfect stage for global leaders to come together, drive collaboration, and continue shaping the future of the sector,
said WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio.
The gathering will give India an opportunity to present its tourism ambitions across leisure, hospitality, aviation, technology and investment. It will also create a setting in which international businesses can explore partnerships with local players.
The significance of Delhi 2027 will ultimately extend beyond the visibility of hosting. It will lie in the connections forged, the investment discussions advanced and the opportunities opened for destinations and tourism businesses across the country.
In Malta, India received recognition for its momentum. In Delhi, it will have the opportunity to show where that momentum can lead.
Who received WTTC’s Global Champion Award in Malta? H.E. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat received the award at the October 2026 Summit.
Where will the 2027 WTTC Global Summit take place? Delhi, India, was selected from among 22 interested destinations.
How much did Travel & Tourism contribute to India’s economy in 2025? According to WTTC, the sector contributed US$263.6 billion and supported 46.2 million jobs.
What drives India’s tourism economy? Domestic travel is its main foundation, accounting for 86% of Travel & Tourism spending in 2025.