FAITH Conclave 2026 Opens in Delhi with ‘Invaluable Economics’ as the Mantra for Tourism Growth

The second edition of the FAITH Conclave opened today at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi under the banner “Incredible India: Invaluable Economics,” bringing together policymakers, industry leaders and international delegates to map a bold growth agenda for India’s tourism sector. Union Minister of Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the two-day conclave with an address delivered in Hindi — a deliberate gesture underscoring his commitment to ‘Bhartiyeta’ and to connecting with domestic stakeholders. In his remarks he also questioned the WTTC’s methodological choice to omit foreign tourist period of stay from some comparative metrics, arguing that including length-of-stay would place India alongside the world’s fastest-growing tourism economies.

FAITH Chairman Puneet Chhatwal framed tourism as a “powerful catalyst for employment and entrepreneurship” and presented a Tourism Growth Charter that seeks infrastructure status for the sector in mission mode. The charter aims to accelerate public–private partnerships, streamline regulation and unlock regional job creation through targeted investments and skills development.

The conclave gained international heft with WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara, who praised Indians for their warmth and hospitality and noted that “India is so vast it is like 20–30 countries in one,” underscoring the market’s extraordinary product diversity. Harikishore S., IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, elaborated on government initiatives and clarified the WTTC data for Indian contexts.

State ministers actively pitched their propositions: Sri Kandula Durgesh, Andhra Pradesh’s Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Cinematography, and Shri Pasang Dorjee Sona, Arunachal Pradesh’s Minister of Tourism, Education, and Rural Works, promoted investment-ready projects and infrastructure upgrades. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav showcased his state’s heritage and nature assets. Sh. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, addressed the gathering, celebrating India’s diversity as the country’s focal beauty and a core tourism asset. Amitabh Kant also graced the event .

The conclave attracted ample media presence and a strong turnout of travel-industry veterans. Despite early confusion at registration counters, the programme proceeded smoothly and without interruption. Discussions emphasized frontier and sustainable tourism, visa simplification, skills skilling — all aimed at converting policy momentum into investable projects and large-scale employment.