India to host WTTC Global Summit in New Delhi in 2027

India will host the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Global Summit in New Delhi in 2027, bringing together international tourism executives and government leaders as the country’s travel sector continues to expand.

India was selected from 21 destinations that expressed interest in hosting the event, which brings together public- and private-sector leaders to discuss industry trends, investment opportunities and challenges facing global tourism.

The 2027 summit is expected to showcase India’s tourism offerings and domestic travel market, while exploring opportunities to attract more international visitors and strengthen public-private partnerships.

The announcement was made during the WTTC Global Summit in Malta, where India’s Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, received a WTTC Global Champion Award in recognition of his leadership and contribution to the sector.

According to WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research, travel and tourism contributed $263.6 billion to India’s economy in 2025, marking 7.3% growth and supporting 46.2 million jobs, or more than one in every 10 jobs nationwide.

The council forecasts the sector’s economic contribution will increase by 8.5% in 2026 to $286.1 billion, supporting 48.1 million jobs. By 2036, its contribution is projected to reach $527 billion, nearly doubling over the decade.

Domestic tourism remains a key driver of the sector. Spending by domestic visitors reached $203 billion in 2025, accounting for 86% of total travel and tourism expenditure. WTTC expects international visitor spending to grow over the coming decade, creating further opportunities to expand India’s share of global tourism demand.

The council also projects that India will rise from the world’s 10th-largest travel and tourism economy to fourth by 2036. The country’s tourism offering and expanding infrastructure present opportunities across hospitality, aviation, business travel, technology and destination development.

WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio said New Delhi would provide a platform for global industry leaders to strengthen collaboration and discuss the sector’s future.

WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara said India’s tourism growth, scale and international connectivity made it a strong host for the summit. She added that the event would help strengthen public-private partnerships and explore ways to attract more international visitors.

The 2027 summit will bring together leaders across tourism, aviation, hospitality, infrastructure and investment, providing a platform to explore partnerships as India seeks to build on its domestic tourism base and expand its international visitor economy.