India to launch Digital Tourism Initiatives on World Tourism Day 2026
Babushahi Bureau/PIB
New Delhi, September 26, 2026: India will mark World Tourism Day 2026 on September 27 with a focus on digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI), as the country seeks to expand its tourism economy and make travel services more accessible.
The celebrations will be held under the global theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”, with the central event scheduled at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is expected to unveil the National Digital Tourism Stack, an open digital public infrastructure initiative aimed at making tourism offerings more discoverable, accessible and trustworthy. The government will also launch Dekho Apna Desh 2.0 to promote lesser-known destinations and distribute tourist footfall more widely.
The initiatives come as India’s tourism sector records strong growth. According to the Ministry of Tourism, the sector contributed 5.22% to India’s GDP and supported 8.46 crore jobs in 2023-24.
Domestic Tourist Visits reached 428.55 crore in 2025, while Foreign Tourist Visits stood at 2.53 crore. Foreign exchange earnings from tourism rose to ₹2,76,831 crore during the year.
The government is also expanding India’s digital tourism infrastructure through the Incredible India Digital Platform and NIDHI+ (National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry).
The revamped Incredible India platform offers digital and virtual experiences covering heritage, culture, adventure, wellness, food, rural tourism and other attractions. Its AI-enabled features are designed to provide personalised information, including weather updates, city exploration and travel services.
As of September 23, 2026, NIDHI+ listed 63,740 accommodation units, 1,450 online travel aggregators and 15,531 tourism service providers, according to the Ministry.
India’s international tourism services have also become increasingly digital. The country’s e-Visa facility is now available to nationals of 172 countries, with entry permitted through 88 international ports.
The Ministry has further partnered with Google India to strengthen digital tourism promotion through AI, data-driven insights, digital marketing and capacity building.
Alongside technology, the government is pushing destination development through schemes including Swadesh Darshan 2.0, PRASHAD and Challenge-Based Destination Development. Tourism skill programmes are also being used to train local communities and workers.
World Tourism Day is observed annually on September 27 to highlight tourism’s contribution to economic and social development. The 2026 theme places particular emphasis on how AI, data and digital technology could reshape the way tourism is planned, promoted and experienced.