Just a few days ahead of World Tourism Day, observed annually on September 27 to foster awareness of tourism's social, cultural, political and economic value, the WION Iconic Tourism Summit and Awards 2026, presented by VFS Global in association with Red Hat Communications, was held in New Delhi on September 23 at ITC Maurya. The summit brought together some of the biggest names from the tourism industry and the wider tourism ecosystem. Discussions focused on the sector's future, emerging opportunities, evolving trends, and the challenges that could shape its growth in the years ahead. After a day full of insightful sessions and discussions, the Iconic Excellence award ceremony was held, honouring achievers in their respective fields for their accomplishments. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/actor-arjan-bajwa-at-wion-summit-i-m-a-jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none-from-taekwondo-black-belt-to-trained-pilot-1790176912887">Actor Arjan Bajwa at WION Summit: 'I'm a jack of all trades, master of none'</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Here are the winners of the Iconic awards:&nbsp;Kapil Bhatia, the Executive Chairman of Inter Globe Enterprises, was honoured with the Iconic Lifetime Achievement.&nbsp;Iconic Excellence in Dance &amp; Performing Arts - Dr. Anita R Ratnam&nbsp;Iconic &nbsp;Excellence in International Aviation - Amr Aly&nbsp;Iconic Excellence in Sustainable Jewellery Design - Poonam Soni&nbsp;Iconic Excellence in Community-Led Hospitality - Ajay Wadhawan&nbsp;Iconic Excellence in Heritage &amp; Cultural Tourism - Rajkumari Ratna Singh of Kalakankar&nbsp;Iconic Excellence in Special Olympics &amp; Sports Inclusion - Gunocean Singh Bedi&nbsp;Iconic Excellence in Wellness &amp; Ayurvedic Tourism - Gita Ramesh&nbsp;Iconic Excellence in Hospitality Education - Dr Suborno Bose&nbsp;Iconic Excellence in Travel Management - J B Singh&nbsp;Iconic Excellence in Building an Indian Brand - Rishabh Bhatia, Category Manager - Luxury Spirits/ Alcobrew Distilleries India ltd, Mukkaish Pruthii National Sales Head/AlcoBrew Distilleries India ltd

Iconic CSR Leadership for Empowering the Trucking Community - Shriram Finance Limited / S. Balamurugan, Director Sales &amp; Head, CSR, Shriram Finance Limited&nbsp;Excellence in Indian Classical Music - Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Bangash, Ayaan Ali Bangash, Zohaan Ali Bangash, Abeer Ali Bangash&nbsp;Iconic Excellence in Literature - Ashutosh Agnihotri&nbsp;Iconic Excellence in Tourism &amp; Enterprise - Arjun Sharma&nbsp;Iconic Excellence in Medical Science &amp; Cardiology - Padma Bhushan Dr. T. S. Kler&nbsp;Iconic Excellence in Culinary Arts &amp; Gastronomy - Dr. Chef Manjit Singh Gill&nbsp;Iconic Excellence in Cultural Diplomacy &amp; International Relations - H.E. Ms. Aliki Koutsomitopoulou&nbsp;Iconic Excellence in Social Impact &amp; Inclusivity - H.H. Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil&nbsp;Iconic Excellence in Aviation Entrepreneurship - Kanika Tekriwal&nbsp;Iconic Excellence in Royal Heritage &amp; Bespoke Design - Raghavendra Rathore&nbsp;Iconic Excellence in Inclusive Skilling &amp; Empowerment - Dr. Jyotsna Suri&nbsp;Iconic Excellence in Hospitality - Priya PaulIconic<h2>WION Iconic Tourism Summit brings together ministers, diplomats and global tourism leaders</h2>The WION Iconic Tourism Summit and Awards witnessed the gathering of stakeholders to discuss and debate the future of travel and tourism, including Union and state ministers, ambassadors and high commissioners, tourism and hospitality leaders, aviation and visa experts, technology innovators and industry stalwarts from across India and the world. The landmark gathering, presented by VFS Global, in association with Red Hat Communications, featured a day of high-level conversations on mobility, tourism, diplomacy, technology, hospitality and the future of travel. Delivering the keynote, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the traveller of tomorrow will seek immersive experiences rather than simply visit destinations. While AI can personalise journeys, he said, human warmth will remain irreplaceable—with India’s enduring philosophy of Atithi Devo Bhava at the heart of its tourism proposition. Shekhawat also described travel as a force for peace and understanding, noting that global travel grew by 4% despite geopolitical tensions and inflation, while domestic journeys in India could cross 10 billion by 2047. Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra outlined plans to position the capital as a global tourism hub, offering the industry viability-gap funding and greater collaboration around major events. Speaking ahead of the awards, Zee Media CEO Raktim Das unveiled two new WION initiatives—WION World Conferences and WION Luxe—as WION completes a decade as India’s global news channel. “We are building WION not just as a news network, but as a global platform for ideas, dialogue and action,” Das said. Speaking on the role of tourism, Das said: “In a world where parts are in conflict, understanding each other becomes as important as knowing about each other. Few forces create that understanding as naturally as travel. Tourism builds connections, creates empathy and brings cultures closer.” Vinay Malhotra, Head, Strategic Global Partnerships, VFS Global spoke about how the company is helping in ease of travel: "For those who prefer that the visa centre comes to you, we coined the term VAD, or Visa at Your Doorstep. 20 governments in India currently subscribe to this facility. The end-to-end service is completed on the spot in about 30 minutes. Many governments today permit you to get a visa starting closer to the date when your travel is going to commence." Addressing the gathering, Jyoti Mayal, CEO of Red Hat Communications and Chairperson of THSC, said: “What began as a simple idea to create meaningful dialogue has evolved into one of the industry's most respected forums for thought leadership, collaboration, and action. We meet at a defining moment for our industry. Artificial Intelligence will transform our industry, but hospitality will always remain a people-centric industry.”<h2>A global conversation on the future of travel</h2>The summit brought together an exceptional cross-section of global voices across five thematic conversations. “Borders Without Barriers: The Diplomacy of Visas and Mobility” examined the changing architecture of international travel, with participation from envoys of Seychelles, Argentina and South Africa, alongside VFS Global. “Next Gen Skills for Tourism” explored the talent and capabilities required for the industry’s next phase, bringing together leaders from the BIMSTEC Business Council Secretariat, MSME Business Forum and Radisson Hotel Group. The conversation on “Soft Power on the Move: Tourism, Culture and Bilateral Ties” brought together ambassadors from Ireland, Slovakia, Nicaragua, Greece and Sri Lanka to examine tourism as an instrument of cultural diplomacy and stronger bilateral ties. “The Business of Travel: Aviation, Hospitality and India’s Tourism Infra Story” brought together senior leaders from Sterling Holiday Resorts, IHCL, Air India, Air India Express, Visit Qatar and Cinnamon Life, alongside former diplomats and policymakers. The final conversation, “Tech Frontiers Reshaping Journeys,” examined how technology is redefining travel, featuring leaders from Kairali Ayurvedic Group, VFS Global, GMR Cargo and ITQ Technologies. The event also featured Dr Vishal Chaturvedi, director of Hanuman Ansh, who spoke about the film’s unexpected success and its impact on tourism to destinations associated with Neem Karoli Baba. The WION Iconic Tourism Summit &amp; Awards 2026 brought the industry together around a shared idea: that the future of tourism will be shaped not merely by destinations and technology, but by human connection, cultural exchange and the experiences that bring the world closer together.

The WION Iconic Summit and Awards 2026 were held at ITC Maurya, New Delhi, on September 23, discussing the future of mobility and honouring excellence across tourism, hospitality, arts and social impact. 

Just a few days ahead of World Tourism Day, observed annually on September 27 to foster awareness of tourism's social, cultural, political and economic value, the WION Iconic Tourism Summit and Awards 2026, presented by VFS Global in association with Red Hat Communications, was held in New Delhi on September 23 at ITC Maurya. The summit brought together some of the biggest names from the tourism industry and the wider tourism ecosystem. Discussions focused on the sector's future, emerging opportunities, evolving trends, and the challenges that could shape its growth in the years ahead. After a day full of insightful sessions and discussions, the Iconic Excellence award ceremony was held, honouring achievers in their respective fields for their accomplishments. Also read: Actor Arjan Bajwa at WION Summit: 'I'm a jack of all trades, master of none' Here are the winners of the Iconic awards: Kapil Bhatia, the Executive Chairman of Inter Globe Enterprises, was honoured with the Iconic Lifetime Achievement. Iconic Excellence in Dance & Performing Arts - Dr. Anita R Ratnam Iconic Excellence in International Aviation - Amr Aly Iconic Excellence in Sustainable Jewellery Design - Poonam Soni Iconic Excellence in Community-Led Hospitality - Ajay Wadhawan Iconic Excellence in Heritage & Cultural Tourism - Rajkumari Ratna Singh of Kalakankar Iconic Excellence in Special Olympics & Sports Inclusion - Gunocean Singh Bedi Iconic Excellence in Wellness & Ayurvedic Tourism - Gita Ramesh Iconic Excellence in Hospitality Education - Dr Suborno Bose Iconic Excellence in Travel Management - J B Singh Iconic Excellence in Building an Indian Brand - Rishabh Bhatia, Category Manager - Luxury Spirits/ Alcobrew Distilleries India ltd, Mukkaish Pruthii National Sales Head/AlcoBrew Distilleries India ltd

The WION Iconic Tourism Summit and Awards 2026 was held at ITC Maurya, New Delhi, on September 23, discussing the future of mobility and honouring excellence across tourism, hospitality, arts and social impact.&nbsp;

WION Iconic Tourism Summit & Awards brings together ministers, diplomats and tourism leaders; honours excellence across sectors

At the WION Iconic Awards 2026, Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, hailed the unsung heroes of the tourism industry who have helped build such a large economy. Addressing the audience during the award ceremony, Kumar spoke about emerging trends in tourism and how tourists' interests have diversified.“Tourism is not merely an economic activity,” said Kumar, adding, “it is a great bridge; it connects strangers into friends, converts culture into conversation, and turns destinations into long-standing memories.”&nbsp;“Whether you run a boutique hotel in Rajasthan, operate a large civil aviation company, manage logistics in Ladakh, or curate culinary skills in Kerala — you all are custodians of that bridge which is termed as tourism.”&nbsp;The Secretary also noted that the tourism industry shapes the way the world sees India today.&nbsp;“We often speak of tourism in numbers; these numbers matter, but that's not all. India's tourism has shown tremendous growth; domestic tourism has grown threefold since COVID. But at the same time, travellers are not just drawn by the Golden Triangle. They are attracted to the huge diversity; people are traveling to Kerala, to the North East. The G20 contributed so much to the Miles sector that today we are the fastest-growing sector in &nbsp;Miles percentage.”&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/actor-arjan-bajwa-at-wion-summit-i-m-a-jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none-from-taekwondo-black-belt-to-trained-pilot-1790176912887">Actor Arjan Bajwa at WION Summit: 'I'm a jack of all trades, master of none' - from taekwondo black belt to trained pilot</a>&nbsp;“What excites me most about these awards is the quality of transformation happening across the whole travel and tourism industry,” said Kumar.&nbsp;Kumar also called for greater sustainability and authenticity in the travel sector, pointing out that people are increasingly seeking meaningful experiences.&nbsp;“From the Government of India, I can assure you that the ministry is committed to this journey — steering people away from overcrowded destinations and attracting foreign markets to lesser-known places,” he added.

Addressing the WION Iconic Awards 2026, Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, praised the unsung heroes driving India’s expanding tourism sector. 

At the WION Iconic Awards 2026, Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, hailed the unsung heroes of the tourism industry who have helped build such a large economy. Addressing the audience during the award ceremony, Kumar spoke about emerging trends in tourism and how tourists' interests have diversified. “Tourism is not merely an economic activity,” said Kumar, adding, “it is a great bridge; it connects strangers into friends, converts culture into conversation, and turns destinations into long-standing memories.” “Whether you run a boutique hotel in Rajasthan, operate a large civil aviation company, manage logistics in Ladakh, or curate culinary skills in Kerala — you all are custodians of that bridge which is termed as tourism.” The Secretary also noted that the tourism industry shapes the way the world sees India today. “We often speak of tourism in numbers; these numbers matter, but that's not all. India's tourism has shown tremendous growth; domestic tourism has grown threefold since COVID. But at the same time, travellers are not just drawn by the Golden Triangle. They are attracted to the huge diversity; people are traveling to Kerala, to the North East. The G20 contributed so much to the Miles sector that today we are the fastest-growing sector in Miles percentage.” Also read: Actor Arjan Bajwa at WION Summit: 'I'm a jack of all trades, master of none' - from taekwondo black belt to trained pilot “What excites me most about these awards is the quality of transformation happening across the whole travel and tourism industry,” said Kumar. Kumar also called for greater sustainability and authenticity in the travel sector, pointing out that people are increasingly seeking meaningful experiences. “From the Government of India, I can assure you that the ministry is committed to this journey — steering people away from overcrowded destinations and attracting foreign markets to lesser-known places,” he added.

Addressing the WION Iconic Awards 2026, Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, praised the unsung heroes driving India’s expanding tourism sector.&nbsp;

WION Iconic Awards 2026: Tourism Secretary Bhuvnesh Kumar hails unsung industry heroes

Robert Maxian, ambassador of Slovakia to India, said in Hindi on Wednesday (September 23) that India is his second home. Speaking at WION Tourism Summit 2026, Maxian also spoke about Slovakia's tourism efforts to promote the country internationally. During the event, when he was asked whether he could speak Hindi, the Slovak ambassador responded warmly, saying, “Bharat mere liye dusra ghar jaisa hai (India is a second home for me).” Alongside the Slovakian ambassador, Kevin Kelly, Ambassador of Ireland to India, said India has now become a priority market for Tourism Ireland. “India is now a priority market for Tourism Ireland,” Kelly said, noting that Tourism Ireland set up an office in Mumbai last year to tap into the growing interest from Indian travellers.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">&quot;Bharat mere liye dusre ghar jaisa hai,&quot; says Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to India Róbert Maxián as he addresses the crowd at the <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WIONIconicTourismSummit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WIONIconicTourismSummit</a> <a href="https://x.com/RobertMaxian?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RobertMaxian</a> <a href="https://t.co/o7MiRD4fHP">pic.twitter.com/o7MiRD4fHP</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2102677151485186281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h3>Nicaragua, Greece and Sri Lanka: Emerging destinations for Indians</h3>Additionally, diplomats from Nicaragua, Greece and Sri Lanka also made their points on tourism for their countries as emerging and enduring destinations for Indian travellers, each highlighting unique offerings, from untouched nature and volcanoes to island-hopping and shared civilizational ties. Meanwhile, Nicaragua acknowledged the challenges of connectivity that still stand in the way of deeper tourism ties with India. Nadeska Cuthbert, Ambassador of Nicaragua to India, said, "As of now, we don't have a direct flight to Nicaragua from India, or to Central America more broadly. Since last year, we have put in a lot of effort to increase tourism. Nicaragua is smaller than India, but it has abundant nature and forests, and its people are incredible, much like our culture. We are looking to build eco-tourism and sustainable tourism to protect and preserve both our culture and our nature. We definitely want more Indians to visit the country and see our volcanoes, try sandboarding, and go snorkelling at some of our sites. All of this can be experienced in a very short period of time." Highlighting a specific location, Indians should prefer to visit Greece, Aliki Koutsomitopoulou, Ambassador of Greece to India, said, "We started a direct flight in January 2026. We have witnessed 40,000 people using that flight, and traffic between the two nations has increased. Interest among Indians in visiting Greece has always been there, and the number of people visiting Greece after the launch of the flight has grown by 28 per cent. Greece is not just a destination for summer and the sea; you can visit during other seasons too, and explore other locations, as the country is full of islands. There are also many mountains to explore."&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-seychelles-ties-like-sisters-says-high-commissioner-lalatiana-accouche-at-wion-iconic-tourism-summit-1790154515399">India-Seychelles ties: "Like sisters," says High Commissioner Lalatiana Accouche at WION Iconic Tourism Summit</a> Their remarks came ahead of the WION Iconic Tourism Summit &amp; Awards 2026, set to take place in New Delhi on 23 September. The summit arrives at a moment of rapid transformation in global travel, shaped by new technologies, shifting traveller expectations, and evolving mobility frameworks. It will bring together leaders from government, diplomacy, tourism, aviation, hospitality, and technology to address the sector's most pressing challenges. Discussions at the summit are expected to span visa policy, border management, biometric travel systems, digital transformation, and the expanding role of artificial intelligence in shaping traveller experiences. The event will culminate in the Iconic Awards 2026, honouring individuals and organisations that have made notable contributions to the travel and tourism industry.

Speaking at the WION Tourism Summit 2026, Maxian also spoke about Slovakia's tourism efforts to promote the country internationally. During the event, when he was asked whether he could speak Hindi, he stated that India is his second home.

Robert Maxian, ambassador of Slovakia to India, said in Hindi on Wednesday (September 23) that India is his second home. Speaking at WION Tourism Summit 2026, Maxian also spoke about Slovakia's tourism efforts to promote the country internationally. During the event, when he was asked whether he could speak Hindi, the Slovak ambassador responded warmly, saying, “Bharat mere liye dusra ghar jaisa hai (India is a second home for me).” Alongside the Slovakian ambassador, Kevin Kelly, Ambassador of Ireland to India, said India has now become a priority market for Tourism Ireland. “India is now a priority market for Tourism Ireland,” Kelly said, noting that Tourism Ireland set up an office in Mumbai last year to tap into the growing interest from Indian travellers.

Speaking at the WION Tourism Summit 2026, Maxian also spoke about Slovakia's tourism efforts to promote the country internationally. During the event, when he was asked whether he could speak Hindi, he stated that India is his second home.

VIDEO: 'India is my second home': Slovakia's ambassador charms crowd with Hindi at WION Tourism Summit

Notable personalities from India’s tourism and hospitality sector, along with senior policymakers, diplomats and industry leaders, will come together in New Delhi on September 23 for the WION Iconic Tourism Summit and Awards 2026, presented by VFS Global in association with Red Hat Communications.&nbsp;The summit will bring together key voices from across the tourism ecosystem to discuss the sector’s future, emerging opportunities, evolving trends and the challenges that could shape its growth in the years ahead.&nbsp;The event will also recognise and honour achievers who have made notable contributions to the tourism sector, while providing a platform for policymakers, international representatives and industry stakeholders to exchange ideas and explore new opportunities for India’s tourism industry.&nbsp;Union Minister for Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will attend the summit as the chief guest, while Kapil Mishra, Minister of Tourism and Art &amp; Culture, Government of Delhi, will be the guest of honour.The summit will also see the participation of ambassadors from Argentina, Greece, Suriname, Ireland, Slovakia, Cyprus, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Seychelles, along with prominent leaders from the tourism, aviation and hospitality sectors.&nbsp;Among the industry leaders attending the event are Vikram Lalvani, MD &amp; CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts; Manish Puri, Head of Global Sales, Air India Limited &amp; Air India Express; Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson, THSC and CEO, Red Hat Communications; and Vinay Malhotra, Head, Strategic Global Partnerships, VFS Global.<h3>India’s tourism potential</h3>The summit comes at a time when India’s tourism sector is witnessing strong growth, driven by domestic travel, international visitors, heritage tourism, hospitality and new travel experiences.&nbsp;According to the Ministry of Tourism, India recorded around 4.29 billion domestic tourist visits and 25.27 million foreign tourist visits in 2025. The ministry’s latest data also shows that tourism accounted for 5.22 per cent of India’s GDP and supported around 84.63 million jobs, including direct and indirect employment.&nbsp;India also has a vast heritage base that gives the country significant potential for cultural and heritage tourism. The UNESCO World Heritage Centre currently lists 45 properties from India on the World Heritage List, including 37 cultural properties, seven natural properties and one mixed property. India also has 73 sites on UNESCO’s Tentative List, offering a large pool of heritage locations with potential for future recognition and tourism development.&nbsp;India’s tourism landscape extends beyond its historic monuments and heritage sites, with opportunities across nature, wildlife, spirituality, adventure, wellness, business and coastal tourism.&nbsp;The event will begin at 10:30 am at ITC Maurya in New Delhi and will feature a series of panels covering various aspects of the tourism industry, including mobility, culture, bilateral ties, aviation, hospitality, infrastructure and technology. The event will also be broadcast on WION and its social media channels.&nbsp;The key panels at the WION Iconic Tourism Summit and Awards are:&nbsp;Panel 1: Borders without barriers: The diplomacy of visas &amp; mobility (11:45 am to 12:30 pm) &nbsp;Lalatiana Accouche: High Commissioner of Seychelles to India Mariano Agustín Caucino: Ambassador of Argentina to India Hanisha Jairam: Ambassador of Suriname to India Anil Sooklal: High Commissioner of South Africa to India Sharad Gowani: Head of Operations - India, VFS Global&nbsp;<h2>In conversation: Next-gen skills for tourism&nbsp;</h2>(12:30 pm to 12:45 pm) Jyoti Mayal: Chairperson, THSC and CEO, Red Hat Communications Tribhuvan Darbari: Chairman, BIMSTEC Business Council Secretariat, India&nbsp;<h2>Panel 2: Soft power on the move: Tourism, culture &amp; bilateral ties &nbsp;</h2>(12:45 pm to 1:30 pm) Kevin Kelly: Ambassador of Ireland to India Robert Maxian: Ambassador of Slovakia to India Evagoras Vryonides: High Commissioner of Cyprus to India Nadeska Cuthbert: Ambassador of Nicaragua to India Aliki Koutsomitopoulou: Ambassador of Greece to India Mahishini Colonné: High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India&nbsp;<h2>Panel 3: The business of travel: Aviation, hospitality &amp; India's tourism infra story&nbsp;</h2>(2:15 pm to 3:00 pm) &nbsp;Vikram Lalvani: MD &amp; CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts Saurabh Tiwari: Vice President, Middle East, Maldives &amp; Sri Lanka, IHCL (Taj Dubai) Muktesh Pardeshi: Former Secretary and Former Ambassador to Türkiye &amp; New Zealand Manish Puri: Head of Global Sales, Air India Limited &amp; Air India Express Ahmed Hamed Sharbak: Regional Manager (APAC), Visit Qatar Kamal Munasinghe: Sr. Vice President, Colombo Hotels &amp; General Manager, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, Sri Lanka&nbsp;<h2>Panel 4: Tech frontiers reshaping journeys&nbsp;</h2>(3:00 pm to 3:45 pm)&nbsp;Abhilash Kalathil Ramesh: Executive Director, Kairali Ayurvedic Group Sachin Pabreja: Co-founder and CEO, EazyDiner Vinay Malhotra: Head, Strategic Global Partnerships, VFS Global Achin Sharma: Chief Digital Officer, GMR Cargo, WAISL Ltd Anil Parashar: Executive Director, InterGlobe Technology Quotient Pvt Ltd&nbsp;The event will also be attended by Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Union Ministry of Tourism; Ravi Nandan Sinha, Director, Strategic Investments &amp; Economic Partnerships, MSME Business Forum India; Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson &amp; MD, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group; and Priya Paul.

Union Minister for Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will join policymakers, diplomats and industry leaders at the WION Iconic Tourism Summit and Awards to discuss India’s tourism potential, emerging opportunities and challenges facing the sector.

Notable personalities from India’s tourism and hospitality sector, along with senior policymakers, diplomats and industry leaders, will come together in New Delhi on September 23 for the WION Iconic Tourism Summit and Awards 2026, presented by VFS Global in association with Red Hat Communications. The summit will bring together key voices from across the tourism ecosystem to discuss the sector’s future, emerging opportunities, evolving trends and the challenges that could shape its growth in the years ahead. The event will also recognise and honour achievers who have made notable contributions to the tourism sector, while providing a platform for policymakers, international representatives and industry stakeholders to exchange ideas and explore new opportunities for India’s tourism industry. Union Minister for Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will attend the summit as the chief guest, while Kapil Mishra, Minister of Tourism and Art & Culture, Government of Delhi, will be the guest of honour. The summit will also see the participation of ambassadors from Argentina, Greece, Suriname, Ireland, Slovakia, Cyprus, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Seychelles, along with prominent leaders from the tourism, aviation and hospitality sectors. Among the industry leaders attending the event are Vikram Lalvani, MD & CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts; Manish Puri, Head of Global Sales, Air India Limited & Air India Express; Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson, THSC and CEO, Red Hat Communications; and Vinay Malhotra, Head, Strategic Global Partnerships, VFS Global. India’s tourism potential The summit comes at a time when India’s tourism sector is witnessing strong growth, driven by domestic travel, international visitors, heritage tourism, hospitality and new travel experiences. According to the Ministry of Tourism, India recorded around 4.29 billion domestic tourist visits and 25.27 million foreign tourist visits in 2025. The ministry’s latest data also shows that tourism accounted for 5.22 per cent of India’s GDP and supported around 84.63 million jobs, including direct and indirect employment. India also has a vast heritage base that gives the country significant potential for cultural and heritage tourism. The UNESCO World Heritage Centre currently lists 45 properties from India on the World Heritage List, including 37 cultural properties, seven natural properties and one mixed property. India also has 73 sites on UNESCO’s Tentative List, offering a large pool of heritage locations with potential for future recognition and tourism development. India’s tourism landscape extends beyond its historic monuments and heritage sites, with opportunities across nature, wildlife, spirituality, adventure, wellness, business and coastal tourism. The event will begin at 10:30 am at ITC Maurya in New Delhi and will feature a series of panels covering various aspects of the tourism industry, including mobility, culture, bilateral ties, aviation, hospitality, infrastructure and technology. The event will also be broadcast on WION and its social media channels. The key panels at the WION Iconic Tourism Summit and Awards are: Panel 1: Borders without barriers: The diplomacy of visas & mobility (11:45 am to 12:30 pm) Lalatiana Accouche: High Commissioner of Seychelles to India Mariano Agustín Caucino: Ambassador of Argentina to India Hanisha Jairam: Ambassador of Suriname to India Anil Sooklal: High Commissioner of South Africa to India Sharad Gowani: Head of Operations - India, VFS Global In conversation: Next-gen skills for tourism (12:30 pm to 12:45 pm) Jyoti Mayal: Chairperson, THSC and CEO, Red Hat Communications Tribhuvan Darbari: Chairman, BIMSTEC Business Council Secretariat, India Panel 2: Soft power on the move: Tourism, culture & bilateral ties (12:45 pm to 1:30 pm) Kevin Kelly: Ambassador of Ireland to India Robert Maxian: Ambassador of Slovakia to India Evagoras Vryonides: High Commissioner of Cyprus to India Nadeska Cuthbert: Ambassador of Nicaragua to India Aliki Koutsomitopoulou: Ambassador of Greece to India Mahishini Colonné: High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India Panel 3: The business of travel: Aviation, hospitality & India's tourism infra story (2:15 pm to 3:00 pm) Vikram Lalvani: MD & CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts Saurabh Tiwari: Vice President, Middle East, Maldives & Sri Lanka, IHCL (Taj Dubai) Muktesh Pardeshi: Former Secretary and Former Ambassador to Türkiye & New Zealand Manish Puri: Head of Global Sales, Air India Limited & Air India Express Ahmed Hamed Sharbak: Regional Manager (APAC), Visit Qatar Kamal Munasinghe: Sr. Vice President, Colombo Hotels & General Manager, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, Sri Lanka Panel 4: Tech frontiers reshaping journeys (3:00 pm to 3:45 pm) Abhilash Kalathil Ramesh: Executive Director, Kairali Ayurvedic Group Sachin Pabreja: Co-founder and CEO, EazyDiner Vinay Malhotra: Head, Strategic Global Partnerships, VFS Global Achin Sharma: Chief Digital Officer, GMR Cargo, WAISL Ltd Anil Parashar: Executive Director, InterGlobe Technology Quotient Pvt Ltd The event will also be attended by Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Union Ministry of Tourism; Ravi Nandan Sinha, Director, Strategic Investments & Economic Partnerships, MSME Business Forum India; Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson & MD, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group; and Priya Paul.

Union Minister for Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will join policymakers, diplomats and industry leaders at the WION Iconic Tourism Summit and Awards to discuss India’s tourism potential, emerging opportunities and challenges facing the sector.

WION Iconic Tourism Summit and Awards 2026: Key voices to discuss India’s tourism future

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WION tourism-summit-2026

WION Iconic Tourism Summit & Awards brings together ministers, diplomats and tourism leaders; honours excellence across sectors

WION Iconic Awards 2026: Tourism Secretary hails unsung industry heroes

'India is my second home': Slovakia's ambassador charms crowd with Hindi

WION Iconic Tourism Summit: Key voices to discuss India’s tourism future