The ‘Incredible India’ pavilion was inaugurated by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Government of India, Ms Stephanie Peacock, Minister for Sport, Tourism, Place and Digital Government, Shri Kartik Pande, Deputy High Commissioner of India to the UK, and Smt Sudha Murty, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha.
The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, concluded its participation at World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026, held from 3 to 5 November at ExCeL London, with significant international engagement, strengthened industry partnerships and recognition for the Incredible India Pavilion.
Leading a delegation of nearly 50 stakeholders, including State Governments, inbound tour operators, airlines and hoteliers, the Ministry showcased India’s diverse tourism offerings, cultural heritage and emerging experiences, while engaging with the global travel trade to explore new avenues for collaboration and business.
Incredible India Pavilion Wins ‘Best Stand Award for Doing Business’
The Incredible India Pavilion was honoured with ‘Best Stand Award for Doing Business’ by WTM, for its strong layout and clear delineation of meeting areas, making it easy for visitors to identify participating exhibitors and navigate the stand. Its welcoming, well-organised environment put productive conversations between buyers and exhibitors at the heart of the design.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism and Culture, Government of India, said:
“India’s participation at WTM London 2026 has provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the extraordinary diversity of our tourism offerings and strengthen our engagement with the global travel industry. The ‘Best Stand Award for Doing Business’ is a proud recognition of the efforts of our tourism stakeholders in building meaningful international partnerships.
From our timeless heritage and spiritual traditions to our mountains, wildlife, wellness experiences and vibrant contemporary culture, India offers an exceptional range of experiences. We invite the world to discover the many dimensions of our country. Through platforms such as WTM and our upcoming international engagements, we look forward to welcoming more travellers, attracting investment and building partnerships that contribute to a connected and sustainable global tourism sector.”
On the opening day, the Minister addressed the international media at a press conference, highlighting India’s tourism growth, infrastructure development and initiatives to promote emerging destinations and strengthen international partnerships.
The Ministry also unveiled the fifth destination film in its collaboration with Netflix, celebrating the majestic Himalayas and showcasing India’s spectacular mountain landscapes and tourism experiences.
India Evening Celebrates India’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Potential
A key highlight of India’s participation was India Evening, which brought together international tourism leaders, industry stakeholders and partners to celebrate India’s cultural diversity and tourism potential.
The evening featured a special fireside conversation with Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism and Culture, Government of India; Ms Sudha Murty, acclaimed author and philanthropist; and Ms Divia Thani, Global Editorial Director, Condé Nast Traveller. The conversation explored India’s rich cultural heritage, traditions and storytelling, and the role of tourism in fostering connections between people and cultures.
Showcasing India’s Diverse Tourism Experiences and Business Opportunities
Over the three days, the Incredible India Pavilion showcased India’s extensive tourism portfolio, spanning heritage, spirituality, wildlife, adventure, wellness, beaches, luxury and experiential travel.
The Indian delegation also held B2B meetings and interactions with international tour operators, buyers and tourism stakeholders, providing opportunities to promote destinations, develop new itineraries and strengthen commercial partnerships.
The Ministry highlighted its efforts to leverage international partnerships, digital platforms and creative storytelling to bring India’s destinations and experiences to wider global audiences.
Building Momentum for India’s Global Tourism Engagement
WTM London also provided a platform to highlight India’s upcoming international tourism engagements.
WTM Spotlight India, scheduled from 2 to 4 March 2027 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, will bring together international buyers, destinations, tour operators, airlines, hospitality businesses and tourism leaders to explore business opportunities and partnerships.
India will also host the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit in November 2027 in New Delhi, bringing together global tourism leaders, policymakers and investors to discuss the future of travel and tourism.
These events further reinforce India’s growing role in the global tourism ecosystem and its commitment to attracting international investment and fostering industry collaboration.
India’s Tourism Sector Records Strong Growth
India’s tourism sector continues to demonstrate significant growth. The country recorded 4.29 billion domestic tourist visits in 2025, an increase of approximately 45.6% over 2024. International tourist arrivals reached 20.22 million. Foreign exchange earnings from tourism stood at approximately US$31.7 billion.
Tourism contributed 5.22% to India’s GDP and supported approximately 84.63 million direct and indirect jobs in 2023–24.
Strengthening Tourism Ties with the UK and Europe
The United Kingdom remains India’s second-largest source market for inbound tourists, with approximately 1.02 million visitors travelling to India in 2024. India sees significant potential to attract more British and European travellers, particularly those interested in culture, wildlife, wellness, adventure, luxury and experiential travel.
The successful conclusion of India’s participation at WTM London 2026 reinforces the country’s commitment to deepening international partnerships, expanding business opportunities and attracting more visitors from across the world.
With its extraordinary diversity, rich cultural heritage and expanding tourism infrastructure, India invites the world to explore its many destinations and experiences.
