Vice President of India C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the Tourism Leadership Summit 2026 on February 24, 2026, at the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum office in New Delhi. The summit was convened by U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum in collaboration with the Sankala Foundation.

According to a statement from USISPF, the day-long summit brought together Union Ministers, senior government officials, global hospitality executives, multilateral representatives, conservation experts, and industry stakeholders to discuss strengthening India’s tourism ecosystem and expanding U.S.–India travel and investment ties.

During the inaugural session, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, formally unveiled the USISPF report titled “State of Tourism in India 2026” and presented the first copy to the Vice President. The report outlines a roadmap for “sustainable growth, digital transformation, investment expansion, and global positioning of India’s tourism sector.”

Welcoming dignitaries and participants, Nivedita Mehra, Managing Director – India, USISPF, emphasized tourism’s growing global relevance and India’s emerging opportunity. She remarked, “A country with a rich cultural heritage as India, brimming with youth, stands at the cusp of becoming the world’s most visited situation. We are at a critical inflection point where tourism is emerging. At USISPF, our mission has been to create the dynamic between US and India but also US and the world, where we see tourism as that bridge.”

In his inaugural address, the Vice President highlighted tourism’s broader economic and diplomatic value, stating, “Tourism is more than an industry. It is a bridge between cultures, a driver of economic opportunity, and a powerful instrument of soft diplomacy.” He underscored the strength of bilateral engagement between the United States and India, adding, “The travel corridor between India and the United States reflects not only growing economic engagement, but also deep people-to-people ties, rooted in shared values, entrepreneurial spirit, and a vibrant diaspora.”

Minister Shekhawat emphasized tourism’s role in fostering cultural understanding and global connection, noting India’s civilizational depth and experiential diversity. He remarked, “Tourism is about connection. When an American visits Varanasi, or explores the Himalayas, they experience the living history of India.”

The summit featured participation from senior policymakers, corporate leaders, and multilateral institutions. Distinguished speakers included Bharat Lal, Secretary General and CEO of the National Human Rights Commission of India; Amitabh Kant, Senior Advisor at Fairfax Financial Holdings and former G20 Sherpa of India; Stefan Priesner, United Nations Resident Coordinator in India; and Ambassador Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha.

Industry leaders joining the discussions included Rajeev Menon, President Asia Pacific excluding China at Marriott International; Sandeep Ghosh, Group Country Manager – India and South Asia at Visa; Mahima Kaul, Head of Global Affairs at Netflix India; and Mich Goh, Director of Public Policy APAC at Airbnb. Senior representatives from Expedia Group, WWF India, the International Big Cat Alliance, and the Ministry of Tourism also participated.

According to the statement, discussions focused on building a globally competitive and sustainable tourism ecosystem. Participants emphasized aligning conservation goals with economic opportunity through responsible wildlife tourism and eco-tourism models that support local livelihoods while safeguarding biodiversity. Leaders noted that India’s megadiversity and iconic wildlife enhance its global tourism appeal, supported by evolving policy frameworks that promote environmentally responsible growth.

“Conversations also centered on institutional capacity-building, governance reforms, workforce skilling, and the integration of technology across tourism systems,” the statement added. “Stakeholders emphasized that data-driven decision-making, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, and immersive technologies will shape the future of travel.”

Strengthening “brand perception, improving ease of travel, expanding connectivity, and fostering public-private partnerships” were identified as critical enablers in positioning India as a year-round, high-value global destination.

The summit concluded with a fireside conversation featuring Ambassador Shringla, reaffirming the government’s commitment to “collaborative, reform-driven growth and cross-sectoral coordination in advancing India’s tourism and development priorities.” 

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