Tourism Now Central to National Development Under PM Modi: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at SATTE 2026
New Delhi, February 25, 2026: The 33rd edition of SATTE 2026 opened at Yashobhoomi with record participation from 2,000+ exhibitors representing 3,200+ brands across 60+ countries. Organised by Informa Markets in India, the three-day travel trade exhibition began with high-energy buyer–seller meetings, policy discussions, and global destination engagement.
High-Profile Inauguration at SATTE 2026
The event was inaugurated by:
-
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Union Minister of Tourism & Culture, Government of India – Guest of Honour
-
Suman Billa, Director General & Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
-
Kavinder Gupta, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, Union Territory of Ladakh
-
Pasang Dorjee Sona, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh
-
Anita Mendiratta, Special Advisor to the Secretary General – UN Tourism
-
Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Chairman, Tourism Malaysia
-
Dr Upasna Arora, Chairperson, SEPC (Services Export Promotion Council)
-
Dr Subhash Goyal, Chairman, STIC Group
-
Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India
-
Pallavi Mehra, Senior Group Director, Informa Markets in India
“Tourism at the Centre of National Development”
Addressing the gathering, Shekhawat emphasized that under the leadership of Narendra Modi, tourism has moved from the margins of policy to the centre of national development.
Key initiatives highlighted:
-
Swadesh Darshan 2.0 – Sustainable development of tourism destinations
-
Dekho Apna Desh – Boosting domestic tourism
He cited the revival of spiritual circuits in:
-
Ayodhya
-
Ujjain
-
Varanasi
Domestic tourism has reached unprecedented levels, energising Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and making India one of the most resilient tourism markets globally.
India’s Tourism Growth Story: Strong Demand Across Segments
-
20 million inbound visitors
-
30 million outbound travellers
-
Nearly 3 billion domestic journeys annually
Suman Billa stressed digital innovation, improved connectivity, and ease-of-doing-business reforms as key enablers for tourism growth.
Emerging Destinations in Focus
-
Arunachal Pradesh – Pasang Dorjee Sona highlighted the state’s diverse landscapes, tribal culture, and improved connectivity.
-
Ladakh – Kavinder Gupta highlighted air connectivity, infrastructure upgrades, and the transformative Zoji La Tunnel, enabling year-round tourism.
Global Participation Highlights India as a Key Source Market
Tourism boards from countries including:
-
Thailand
-
Malaysia
-
Maldives
-
Jordan
-
Egypt
-
Hong Kong
-
Nepal
-
Jamaica
-
Vietnam
This underscores India’s position as a high-value outbound and domestic travel market.
Technology, AI & New Travel Trends at SATTE 2026
Key travel platforms:
-
EaseMyTrip
-
Cleartrip
-
TBO
-
TRIPJACK
AI-driven itinerary planning, mobile-first booking, and data personalization were demonstrated.
High-growth travel segments discussed: MICE, cruise tourism, wellness, adventure, experiential travel, and destination weddings. Sustainability remained a key focus.
Conclusion: India Positioned for a Tourism-Led Decade
SATTE 2026 highlights India’s triple-engine tourism growth: domestic, outbound, and inbound. Industry leaders emphasized that countries combining culture, commerce, sustainability, and technology will lead the next decade — and India is uniquely poised for this transformation.
Disclaimer
This article is based on official statements, press interactions, and information shared during SATTE 2026 in New Delhi. The views and quotes mentioned are attributed to the respective speakers. Event statistics and participation figures are as provided by the organisers at the time of publication. This content is intended for informational and news reporting purposes only.
