- FAITH released its Tourism Growth Charter.
- It calls for infrastructure status, destination development.
- Minister describes sector as nation-building.
The two-day FAITH Conclave 2026, themed “Incredible India: Invaluable Economics”, brought together decision-makers, industry leaders and tourism experts.
The charter calls for tourism to receive infrastructure status nationally and industry status in all states. It also seeks visa reforms, 50 destinations’ development, better infrastructure, a sustained “Brand Bharat” campaign to attract more foreign tourists and strengthen India’s position in global tourism markets, along with lower taxes, according to PTI.
“The sector had reached a defining moment where policy execution would determine India's ability to unlock tourism's economic potential,” said Puneet Chhatwal FAITH chairman and Indian Hotels Co. Ltd., managing director and CEO. “The challenge before us is no longer proving tourism's potential, it is harnessing it at scale. By acting now on industry status, 50 destinations, Brand Bharat and ease of travel, we can position India as a global tourism powerhouse this decade.”
The plan also calls for investment in local transport links, convention centers, cruise terminals, digital systems and visitor facilities. It seeks simpler taxes and a single-window approval system for tourism projects, which industry members said could make it faster and easier to set up hospitality assets.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Tourism Minister, said tourism is a nation-building sector, not merely a supporting sector.
“It creates employment, empowers women, nurtures entrepreneurship and connects rural and remote regions to economic opportunities,” he said.
Gloria Guevara, World Travel & Tourism Council president and CEO, cited projections showing global travel and tourism could create more than 88 million jobs over the next decade. She said India could gain a significant share of those jobs.
She noted that India should use its global diaspora to promote tourism and highlighted the country’s culture, landscapes and cuisine as strengths.
A recent report by the National Institution for Transforming India calls for visa reforms, simpler regulations and faster approvals to boost tourism growth.
