With expectations rising ahead of Union Budget 2026, industry leaders across hospitality, travel and food services are collectively calling for policy measures that move beyond short-term relief and address structural challenges limiting sustainable growth. From destination development and connectivity to taxation reforms and easier access to capital, the sector believes the upcoming Budget can play a defining role in shaping India’s tourism trajectory.

Shruti Shibulal of Tamara Leisure Experiences highlighted the need for a more diversified tourism map, with greater emphasis on developing new destinations and strengthening regional connectivity through schemes such as UDAN. She stressed the importance of sustainable tourism frameworks, simplified visa processes for wellness-led travel, and deeper rural participation to ensure tourism growth translates into local employment and long-term economic value.

From the food services segment, Pranav Rungta of Nksha Restaurant drew attention to persistent financial pressures faced by operators. He underscored the need for GST relief, revival of SEIS benefits, improved access to SME financing and formal industry recognition for food services, which could collectively ease cash flow constraints and support organised growth in the sector.

Amrita Gupta of Manglam Group pointed to the steady rise in experiential, wedding and wellness travel, particularly in heritage-rich destinations such as Jaipur. She advocated for quality-led investments, green financing options and focused policy support for heritage cities, allowing tourism growth to align with sustainability and cultural preservation.

Dinesh Yadav of Fine Acers echoed long-standing demands from the hospitality industry, calling for infrastructure status, GST reforms, innovative financing models and single-window clearances. According to him, these measures are critical to reducing project costs, improving viability and sustaining expansion across both established and emerging destinations.

Highlighting the strength of domestic travel, Govind Gaur of WanderOn and Dr Vikas Katoch of Adotrip emphasised the importance of continued investment in infrastructure, GST rationalisation and easier access to credit. They also reiterated the need for sustained focus on sustainable and heritage tourism, which they see as key drivers of inclusive, long-term growth.

As Budget 2026 draws closer, the unified message from the industry is clear: targeted reforms, policy clarity and long-term vision will be essential to unlock the next phase of growth for India’s hospitality, travel and food services ecosystem

Emirates and Marriott International, Inc. have signed an agreement to open Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge, a 40-key all-inclusive luxury lodge located within a 7,000-acre conservancy in Australia’s Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area. Expected to open in mid-2026, the project marks the first-ever Ritz-Carlton Lodge globally and represents a major milestone for regional luxury tourism in New South Wales.

Conceived as purpose-built sanctuaries in nature, Ritz-Carlton Lodges are designed to reflect their surroundings while maintaining a minimal environmental footprint. Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge is envisioned as an expression of the brand’s signature luxury, comfort, and craftsmanship, offering guests a deeply immersive experience rooted in nature and place.

Since 2006, Emirates has invested AU$150 million in the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort, developing the property with strong respect for environmental and cultural heritage. Restoration efforts have included preserving historic landmarks such as the original homestead dating back to 1832, along with large-scale conservation initiatives including the planting of over one million native trees across the site. Emirates is now investing an additional AU$50 million in renovations, working closely with Marriott International to transform the property into a world-class Ritz-Carlton Lodge.

Despite the closure of Wolgan Valley Road in 2023, Emirates has continued to maintain the site with locally employed staff during the period when the property was unavoidably nonoperational, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the destination.

The project is expected to recreate close to 150 jobs for the local community, while also supporting regional suppliers, including producers of fresh Australian ingredients and essential goods. Guests will access the lodge via a four-wheel drive journey along the Donkey Steps, designed as part of the rural off-road experience, or by helicopter.

Sir Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline, said, “In our 30 years of operations in Australia, Emirates has consistently sought to deliver value to our customers, and to Australia. Our commitment extends well beyond the provision of air transport services. It is reflected in the strong, enduring relationships we have built with our industry partners, and in our active engagement with the broader Australian community through Emirates Wolgan Valley, and our extensive sponsorships in sports and the arts.

“We are proud of our long-term investment into the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort which launched one of Australia’s first conservation-based luxury resorts. Our unwavering commitment to the resort leads us to today’s announcement of an exciting agreement with Marriott International to open the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Lodge.

“For us, Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge will not only be an extraordinary resort appealing to discerning travellers seeking to be close to nature, but also a powerful engine for local economic growth, helping to rejuvenate the Wolgan Valley locality.

“We are deeply grateful for the support from the Federal government, and for our partnerships with the State government, Lithgow City Council, and the Wolgan Valley community who have helped Emirates make this project possible.”

Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International, said, “We’re honoured to collaborate with Emirates on this milestone development, which sees the world’s largest hotelier and the world’s largest international airline come together to reinvigorate the luxury tourism offering in New South Wales. Marking the brand’s lodge debut globally, Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge will be a major drawcard for our network of 260 million loyal Marriott Bonvoy members around the world, particularly with the upcoming plans in store for immersive experiences that connect them deeply to the local area - something our luxury travellers are increasingly prioritising.”

Nestled within a 7,000-acre conservation reserve, the lodge will occupy less than two percent of the protected landscape, ensuring privacy, space, and seclusion. Guests will enjoy access to pristine wilderness, clear night skies, rare flora such as the ancient Wollemi Pine, and native wildlife including kangaroos, bare-nosed wombats, and brush-tailed rock wallabies.

Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge is expected to feature 40 private lodges with individual pools and bespoke amenities. Planned experiences include a signature sleep-out journey, offering guests a guided overnight stay in remote wilderness under the stars, complete with outdoor dining and campfire relaxation.

The main homestead will house a welcoming arrival lounge, signature restaurant, lounge bar, wine room, and curated dining experiences showcasing premium Australian produce and wines. Wellness and recreation facilities will include an outdoor pool, tennis courts, equestrian stables, fitness centre, and The Ritz-Carlton Spa, along with a dedicated naturalist hub led by a resident expert.

The lodge will complement The Ritz-Carlton’s existing presence in Australia, which includes The Ritz-Carlton, Perth and The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne, further strengthening the brand’s footprint in the country.

The Hospitality & Tourism Conclave 2026, hosted at ITC Fortune Select, Siliguri, concluded after two days of focused dialogue on the future of hospitality and tourism in Eastern India. Organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the conclave brought together hotel owners, founders, senior operators, developers, technology providers and industry stakeholders from across the country, reinforcing the region’s growing relevance in India’s tourism economy.

Unlike broad, headline-driven discussions, the conclave stood out for its practical and region-specific approach. Conversations across panels and keynote sessions centred on real operational challenges, investment strategies and sustainable scaling models. A recurring theme was that Eastern India’s growth trajectory will be shaped by long-term thinking, local context and collaboration, rather than rapid, imitation-led expansion.

Sumit Mitruka, Founder and CEO of Summit Hotels & Resorts and Chairman of the Hospitality & Tourism Committee at ICC, emerged as a key voice throughout the conclave. Through his keynote address and moderation of multiple sessions, Mitruka emphasised sustainable hotel development, the importance of regional identity and the need for owners, brands and solution providers to work closely together. Drawing from his operational experience across Eastern and North-Eastern India, he offered grounded insights into destination building and profitability in emerging markets.

Commenting on the scale and participation at the conclave, Harsh Berlia, Chairman, ICC North Bengal, said, “The ICC North Bengal Tourism and Hospitality Conclave 2026 saw a confluence of speakers from across the industry, coming together from around the country. This further strengthens our conviction that this region is among the fastest-growing hospitality markets. It was encouraging to see both brand owners and hotel owners actively engage through panels, meetings and site visits on the sidelines. We are hopeful that several discussions will translate into ongoing deals, and we look forward to an even larger gathering next year.”

One of the most engaging sessions, From the East to the Nation: Building Scalable, Iconic Hospitality Brands, examined how regional brands can expand without losing their core identity. Speakers cautioned against adopting metro-centric templates and stressed the importance of building brands rooted in local culture, demand patterns and operational realities.

The conclave also featured keynote addresses by Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman of Ambuja Neotia Group, who spoke on institution-building and responsible tourism development, and Vikram Challur, Senior Vice President at MakeMyTrip, who shared insights on evolving travel demand, distribution trends and changing guest behaviour.

Other sessions explored direct bookings and digital funnels, hospitality technology and AI, design-led ROI, marketing storytelling and emerging hospitality formats. Delegates noted that the discussions were candid, actionable and closely aligned with real-world decision-making.

Participants included leaders and representatives from Summit Hotels & Resorts, Mayfair Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Hotel Group, Lemon Tree Hotels, Fortune Park Hotels, The Postcard Hotel, Elivaas, The Hosteller, Ambuja Neotia Group, Club Mahindra, Ascott, MakeMyTrip, Simplotel, Djubo, BookingJini, Yanolja Cloud Solution and Colliers, among others. The mix of established hotel brands and new-age hospitality platforms underlined the conclave’s emphasis on pragmatic growth and collaboration.

Strong engagement was also seen in the exhibition and networking zones, with meaningful exchanges between hospitality leaders and solution providers. Many delegates noted that the conclave successfully demonstrated Siliguri’s ability to host high-impact, national-level industry platforms.

The Hospitality & Tourism Conclave 2026 concluded with a clear takeaway: Eastern India’s hospitality sector is entering a more confident and mature phase, driven by collaboration, realism and a sharper understanding of the region’s unique strengths.