The Hotel Association of India (HAI) will host the 7th HAI Hoteliers’ Conclave on September 18, 2026, at Taj Palace, New Delhi. Themed ‘Re-engineering Hospitality’, the conclave will bring together policymakers, tourism authorities and hospitality industry leaders to discuss the evolving role of the sector in India’s economic growth.
The conclave will explore how the hospitality industry is responding to changing consumer behaviour, technological advancements and sustainability practices. Discussions will also focus on how the sector can adapt to an increasingly uncertain and complex business environment.
India is projected to become the world’s third-largest economy, with its GDP expected to reach USD 7.3 trillion by 2030. At the same time, Tourism Vision 2047 has set a target of building a USD 3 trillion tourism economy, attracting 100 million foreign travellers and recording 20 billion domestic visits, with the ambition of placing India among the world’s top five tourism destinations.
Against this backdrop, the conclave will examine the contribution of hotels to tourism, employment, economic growth and nation-building. Stakeholders will also discuss ways to unlock the potential of India’s hotel sector while improving local infrastructure and supporting higher standards of living.
The conclave will be inaugurated by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism. Other speakers and dignitaries include Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary (Tourism), Government of India; Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa and former CEO of NITI Aayog; Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and Director General of Tourism, Government of India; and former Indian cricketer Kapil Dev.
Leading Indian and international hotel groups are expected to participate in the conclave.
The discussions will cover several key areas shaping India’s tourism and hospitality sector, including leadership, artificial intelligence, new-age food and beverage, talent acquisition, inclusion, women in hospitality, MICE and wedding tourism.
The 7th HAI Hoteliers’ Conclave will provide a platform for industry stakeholders to exchange ideas and discuss strategies to make Indian hospitality more resilient, inclusive, sustainable and globally competitive.
