WION Iconic Tourism Summit & Awards brings together ministers, diplomats and global tourism leaders; Zee Media CEO Raktim Das unveils WION World Conferences and WION Luxe as WION marks 10 years
The future of travel and tourism took centre stage at the WION Iconic Tourism Summit & Awards 2026, bringing together Union and state ministers, ambassadors and high commissioners, tourism and hospitality leaders, aviation and visa experts, technology innovators and industry stalwarts from across India and the world.
The landmark gathering, presented by VFS Global, in association with Red Hat Communications, featured a day of high-level conversations on mobility, tourism, diplomacy, technology, hospitality and the future of travel.
Delivering the keynote, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the traveller of tomorrow will seek immersive experiences rather than simply visit destinations. While AI can personalise journeys, he said, human warmth will remain irreplaceable—with India’s enduring philosophy of Atithi Devo Bhava at the heart of its tourism proposition.
Shekhawat also described travel as a force for peace and understanding, noting that global travel grew by 4% despite geopolitical tensions and inflation, while domestic journeys in India could cross 10 billion by 2047.
Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra outlined plans to position the capital as a global tourism hub, offering the industry viability-gap funding and greater collaboration around major events.
Speaking ahead of the awards, Zee Media CEO Raktim Das unveiled two new WION initiatives—WION World Conferences and WION Luxe—as WION completes a decade as India’s global news channel. “We are building WION not just as a news network, but as a global platform for ideas, dialogue and action,” Das said.
Speaking on the role of tourism, Das said: “In a world where parts are in conflict, understanding each other becomes as important as knowing about each other. Few forces create that understanding as naturally as travel. Tourism builds connections, creates empathy and brings cultures closer.”
Vinay Malhotra, Head, Strategic Global Partnerships, VFS Global spoke about how the company is helping in ease of travel: “For those who prefer that the visa centre comes to you, we coined the term VAD, or Visa at Your Doorstep. 20 governments in India currently subscribe to this facility. The end-to-end service is completed on the spot in about 30 minutes. Many governments today permit you to get a visa starting closer to the date when your travel is going to commence.”
Addressing the gathering, Jyoti Mayal, CEO of Red Hat Communications and Chairperson of THSC, said: “What began as a simple idea to create meaningful dialogue has evolved into one of the industry’s most respected forums for thought leadership, collaboration, and action. We meet at a defining moment for our industry. Artificial Intelligence will transform our industry, but hospitality will always remain a people-centric industry.”
A GLOBAL CONVERSATION ON THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL
The summit brought together an exceptional cross-section of global voices across five thematic conversations.
“Borders Without Barriers: The Diplomacy of Visas and Mobility” examined the changing architecture of international travel, with participation from envoys of Seychelles, Argentina and South Africa, alongside VFS Global.
“Next Gen Skills for Tourism” explored the talent and capabilities required for the industry’s next phase, bringing together leaders from the BIMSTEC Business Council Secretariat, MSME Business Forum and Radisson Hotel Group.
The conversation on “Soft Power on the Move: Tourism, Culture and Bilateral Ties” brought together ambassadors from Ireland, Slovakia, Nicaragua, Greece and Sri Lanka to examine tourism as an instrument of cultural diplomacy and stronger bilateral ties.
“The Business of Travel: Aviation, Hospitality and India’s Tourism Infra Story” brought together senior leaders from Sterling Holiday Resorts, IHCL, Air India, Air India Express, Visit Qatar and Cinnamon Life, alongside former diplomats and policymakers.
The final conversation, “Tech Frontiers Reshaping Journeys,” examined how technology is redefining travel, featuring leaders from Kairali Ayurvedic Group, VFS Global, GMR Cargo and ITQ Technologies.
The event also featured Dr Vishal Chaturvedi, director of Hanuman Ansh, who spoke about the film’s unexpected success and its impact on tourism to destinations associated with Neem Karoli Baba.
AN EVENING OF ICONIC EXCELLENCE
The day culminated in the 9th edition of the Iconic Excellence Awards 2026, celebrating distinguished achievements across tourism, hospitality, aviation, culture, enterprise, public life, social impact and the performing arts.
Among those honoured were Kapil Bhatia of InterGlobe with the Lifetime Achievement Award; Dr Anita R Ratnam for Dance & Performing Arts; Amr Aly for International Aviation; Poonam Soni for Sustainable Jewellery Design; Rajkumari Ratna Singh of Kalakankar for Heritage & Cultural Tourism; Gita Ramesh for Wellness & Ayurvedic Tourism; Dr Suborno Bose for Hospitality Education; Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and members of the Bangash family for Excellence in Indian Classical Music; Padma Bhushan Dr T.S. Kler for Medical Science & Cardiology; Raghavendra Rathore for Royal Heritage & Bespoke Design; Kanika Tekriwal for Aviation Entrepreneurship; Dr Jyotsna Suri for Inclusive Skilling & Empowerment; and Priya Paul for Hospitality, among other distinguished achievers.
The WION Iconic Tourism Summit & Awards 2026 brought the industry together around a shared idea: that the future of tourism will be shaped not merely by destinations and technology, but by human connection, cultural exchange and the experiences that bring the world closer together.