India has been selected to host the World Travel & Tourism Council [WTTC] Global Summit in New Delhi in 2027, beating 20 other candidate destinations to secure the prestigious international tourism event.

The summit is expected to bring together leading tourism executives, investors, policymakers and government representatives from across the world to discuss the future of the global Travel & Tourism sector, strengthen public-private partnerships and explore investment opportunities.

Announcing the decision, WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio said India was chosen from among 21 candidate destinations, describing New Delhi as an ideal setting for global industry leaders to exchange ideas, deepen collaboration and shape the future of tourism.

“We are delighted to bring the world’s most important Travel & Tourism event to India in 2027, chosen from among 21 destinations. New Delhi will provide the perfect stage for global leaders to come together, drive collaboration, and continue shaping the future of the sector,” he said.

WTTC President and Chief Executive Officer Gloria Guevara said India’s considerable tourism potential, economic growth and expanding international connectivity made it a natural choice for the gathering.

“India is a country with extraordinary tourism potential and a sector that is already delivering remarkable economic growth. Its scale, ambition and growing global connectivity make it a natural place to bring the world’s Travel & Tourism leaders together,” Guevara said.

She added that hosting the summit would give India an opportunity to showcase its tourism offerings to WTTC’s global membership, strengthen partnerships between the public and private sectors, and identify strategies to attract a greater share of international travel demand.

The decision comes as India continues to build on its substantial domestic tourism market while seeking to attract more international visitors and increase spending by inbound travellers.

Although domestic tourism remains an important driver of the country's travel economy, attracting a larger share of global tourism expenditure represents a significant opportunity for further growth. The 2027 summit is expected to provide a platform for discussions on how investment, improved connectivity, infrastructure development and stronger destination marketing can support this ambition.

Industry stakeholders are also expected to explore opportunities across key segments, including aviation, hospitality, tourism technology, destination development and travel infrastructure.

The WTTC Global Summit traditionally convenes senior representatives of the global private-sector travel and tourism industry alongside government leaders and policymakers. Its programme provides opportunities to examine emerging industry trends, discuss investment prospects and strengthen cooperation between governments and businesses.

For India, hosting the 2027 edition is expected to raise its international tourism profile and create opportunities to establish new commercial relationships with global travel companies, investors and destination management organisations.

The event will also place the country at the centre of international discussions on tourism growth, connectivity, investment and the policies required to support a competitive and sustainable global Travel & Tourism sector.

With New Delhi set to welcome the global tourism community in 2027, expectations are high that the summit will help advance India's international tourism ambitions while contributing to wider efforts to strengthen collaboration across the global travel industry.