Past Events
Tourism & Hospitality Conclave 2026
Unlocking EU–India Opportunities for Tourism and Hospitality.
Overview
The Council of EU Chambers of Commerce in India successfully hosted the Tourism & Hospitality Conclave 2026 on February 5, 2026, at the Jio World Convention Center, Mumbai. Held alongside OTM 2026, Asia's leading travel trade show, the conclave was themed "Unlocking EU-India Opportunities for Tourism and Hospitality". The event convened senior industry leaders, policymakers, and key stakeholders to deliberate on emerging global travel trends and build strategic partnerships between India and the European Union.
Core Themes and Key Discussions
The event kicked off with opening remarks defining institutional growth and the powerful impact of cross-border synergy. Key discussions focused on India's rising status as a global tourism leader, heavily supported by robust infrastructure development and surging domestic and outbound travel demand. The session highlighted a massive consumer shift toward experiential, personalized, and immersive travel, forcing companies to innovate their offerings. Technology took center stage, with experts detailing how Artificial Intelligence is transforming operations and customer service, while centralized, efficient visa systems continue to vastly improve cross-border mobility.
Panel Discussion: Industry Perspectives
A distinguished panel examined operational strategies required to unlock the full potential of the impending EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is expected to rapidly accelerate international tourism flows. The panelists emphasized that public-private partnerships and tight policy alignment are critical to handling this growth. Key tactical takeaways included the necessity of deploying risk-mitigation tools like specialized travel insurance to meet modern traveler expectations and tailoring regional hospitality services to seamlessly align with evolving international standards and consumer preferences.
Key Speakers
Mr. Robin Banerjee
Delivered welcome remarks emphasizing the accelerating commercial significance of EU-India tourism engagement.
Dr. Renu Shome
Presented the Chamber's long-term vision and core initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral institutional partnerships.
Ms. Sandrine Clarac
Highlighted the scale of OTM 2026 (over 50,000 visitors) and how the co-located event amplifies global business connectivity.
Ms. Sheetal Munshaw
Concluded the inaugural segment by outlining the committee’s active role in driving industry dialogue.
Mr. Mandar Sharma
Summarized the session's key takeaways and outlined actionable pathways for future industry collaboration.
Industry Panelists
Explored practical shifts including AI integration, centralized visa ecosystems, and adapting hospitality services for the upcoming FTA.
Mr. Mandar Sharma
Summarized the session's key takeaways and outlined actionable pathways for future industry collaboration.
Panelists
Ms. Vijayta N. Raheja
Mr. Rajeev Kale
Ms. Delna Jasoomoney
