Delhi will host the WTTC Global Summit in 2027.
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has declared that India would host the WTTC Global Summit in New Delhi in 2027, which will bring together top travel and tourism CEOs, government officials, and global industry players. After a competitive procedure comprising 22 locations that have indicated interest in hosting the event, India was chosen.
The statement was made at the 26th WTTC Global Summit in Malta, where Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Indian government’s Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, took part in talks about the industry’s future. In appreciation of his leadership and contributions to travel and tourism, Shekhawat was also given the WTTC Global Champion Award.
India’s tourist potential, developing infrastructure, and expanding visitor economy will be showcased on an international stage at the 2027 Summit. Additionally, it will promote conversations and collaborations in the fields of hospitality, aviation, investment, technology, connectivity, and destination development.
The announcement coincides with continued robust economic growth in India’s travel and tourism industry.
Travel and tourism supported 46.2 million employment, or more than one in ten jobs statewide, and contributed US$263.6 billion to India’s economy in 2025, registering growth of 7.3%, according to WTTC’s most recent Economic Impact Research.
In 2026, employment is expected to climb to 48.1 million jobs, and the sector’s economic contribution is expected to rise by 8.5% to US$286.1 billion.
According to WTTC’s projections, India’s travel and tourism industry might grow to US$527 billion by 2036, almost doubling in size over the following ten years. By 2036, the nation’s travel and tourism industry is expected to grow from the tenth largest in the world to the fourth.
The fundamental force behind this expansion is still domestic travel. In 2025, domestic visitor spending totalled US$203 billion, or 86% of all travel and tourism expenditures. According to WTTC’s forecasts, there is a significant amount of room for growth in foreign visitor spending as India looks to increase its part of the world’s travel market.
“We are thrilled to bring the world’s most important Travel & Tourism event to India in 2027, chosen from among 22 destinations,” stated Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Chairman of WTTC. Delhi will offer the ideal venue for world leaders to convene, promote cooperation, and keep influencing the industry’s future.
“India is a country with extraordinary tourism potential and a sector that is already delivering remarkable economic growth,” stated Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of WTTC. It is an ideal location for bringing together the world’s leaders in travel and tourism due to its size, aspirations, and expanding global connectedness.
“This will be an opportunity to showcase the nation to our global membership, strengthen public-private partnerships, and look at how India can capture even more of the international demand that is driving the next chapter of global travel & tourism.”
Senior decision-makers from the public and business sectors are anticipated to attend the summit in order to discuss the potential and difficulties affecting international tourism, such as investment, infrastructure, air connectivity, technology, and destination competitiveness.
India will have the chance to interact with foreign tourism companies and investors, build industry alliances, and showcase new travel locations and prospects within the nation’s travel ecosystem by hosting the 2027 edition.
Additionally, the event will put India’s domestic tourism market and its aspirations to increase foreign visitor numbers and spending at the forefront of worldwide industry talks.
