Hospitality & Tourism Conclave 2026 Highlights Eastern India’s Growing Role in India’s Tourism Economy

• Direct bookings, technology integration and design-led ROI dominated discussions at the Hospitality & Tourism Conclave 2026, signalling a shift in how hotels in emerging markets plan growth.

Siliguri, 29 January 2026: The Hospitality & Tourism Conclave 2026, held at ITC Fortune Select, Siliguri, concluded with two days of focused discussions on the future of hospitality and tourism in Eastern India. Organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the conclave drew hotel owners, founders, senior operators, developers, technology providers and industry stakeholders from across the country, underscoring the region’s growing relevance in India’s tourism landscape.

The conclave stood out for its practical, region-specific conversations, moving beyond headline optimism to address real operational, investment and scaling challenges. Across panels and keynotes, speakers reiterated that Eastern India’s tourism growth will be driven by long-term thinking, local context and collaborative ecosystems rather than rapid, imitation-led expansion.

A central voice throughout the conclave was Sumit Mitruka, Founder and CEO of Summit Hotels & Resorts and Chairman of the Hospitality & Tourism Committee at ICC. Through his keynote address and moderation of multiple sessions, Mitruka anchored discussions around sustainable hotel development, the importance of regional identity, and the need for owners, brands and solution providers to work in tandem. His experience of operating across the East and North-East brought a grounded perspective to conversations on destination-building and profitability in emerging markets.

Reflecting 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 grow without losing their core identity. Speakers highlighted the risks of adopting metro-driven templates and stressed the importance of building brands rooted in local culture, demand patterns and operating realities.

The conclave also featured keynote addresses by industry leaders such as 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 travel demand, distribution and evolving guest behaviour.

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

The two-day conclave saw participation from a cross-section of hospitality leaders and founders, including 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 presence of both established hotel brands and new-age hospitality platforms reinforced the conclave’s focus on pragmatic growth and collaboration.

The exhibition zone and networking sessions saw strong engagement, with meaningful exchanges between solution providers and hospitality leaders. Many participants observed that the conclave successfully demonstrated Siliguri’s ability to host high-impact, national-level industry platforms.

The Hospitality & Tourism Conclave 2026 concluded with a shared sentiment: Eastern India’s hospitality story is entering a more confident, mature phase, shaped by collaboration, realism and a clear understanding of regional strengths.