In an exclusive interview, Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson, Travel & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), shares her insights on the significance of the World Travel and Tourism Festival in the Indian travel industry. As a key figure in the industry, Mayal discusses how the festival acts as a dynamic platform for collaboration, innovation, and growth in the tourism sector. She highlights the unique features of the festival, the opportunities it presents for businesses and consumers, and her excitement about the evolving trends in travel, technology, and sustainability.
1. Could you tell us about the World Travel and Tourism Festival and its significance in the Indian travel industry?
The World Travel and Tourism Festival celebrates the travel industry as a whole. It brings together key players across the travel ecosystem, including industry leaders, government bodies, travel startups, hospitality brands, technology innovators, and passionate travellers. For India, where tourism is a key economic driver, this festival is a powerful platform to showcase our travel offerings, make way for new business opportunities, and discuss emerging trends. As Indian travellers expand their horizons, both within the country and internationally – this festival becomes a space where global and domestic stakeholders can come together to shape the future of tourism. It’s about strengthening India’s position on the global travel map and fostering innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth within the industry.
2. What sets this festival apart from other travel industry events?
Well, it has to be our approach. It’s not merely a business networking event or a trade fair. It is an immersive experience designed for every stakeholder in the industry. While most industry events focus solely on B2B networking, this festival bridges the gap between businesses, brands, and travelers. It’s a space where industry leaders can strategise, startups can find investors, and travelers can discover new destinations and travel innovations. Another standout aspect is its focus on experience-driven content. From expert-led travel hacks and itinerary planning workshops to live cultural performances and a Travel Tech Showcase, the festival goes beyond traditional panel discussions. It’s interactive, engaging, and designed to inspire people to reimagine the way they travel.
3. How does the festival contribute to the growth and development of the travel and tourism industry in India?
India’s travel and tourism industry is at an inflection point, where domestic travel is booming, international outbound numbers are rising, and niche tourism trends like wellness travel, adventure tourism, and experiential stays are gaining momentum. This festival plays a pivotal role in accelerating that growth. It creates a collaborative space for businesses to expand their reach, policymakers to engage with industry players, and travellers to get firsthand exposure to new destinations and experiences. Discussions around skilling, infrastructure development, digital transformation, and sustainable tourism ensure that the industry moves forward with a long-term vision. By bringing together the best minds in tourism, hospitality, and technology, the festival catalyses ideas that can shape the future of Indian tourism by creating high-value, memorable experiences for people.
4. What opportunities does the festival offer to brands, businesses, and consumers?
For brands and businesses, this festival is a launchpad for innovation and collaboration. Even if you are a travel tech startup looking for investors, a boutique homestay brand seeking partnerships, or a tourism board promoting its destination, the festival provides unmatched visibility and networking opportunities. For consumers, it’s an experiential playground where they can explore curated travel experiences, engage with industry experts, and discover new travel hacks, destinations, and products. Travellers today seek authenticity and personalisation, and this festival offers a direct connection between brands and travellers, enabling meaningful interactions that go beyond digital promotions.
5. What are the key highlights of this year’s festival?
This year’s edition is bigger, bolder, and packed with incredible experiences. Some of the standout highlights include:
- Live concert by the famous Papon
- The Awards Ceremony, celebrating excellence in travel, hospitality, and innovation & the role of Inflencers
- Live cultural performances, showcasing global traditions, music, and storytelling to highlight the diversity of travel.
- Interactive workshops and masterclasses, covering everything from sustainable travel to solo trip planning and digital content creation.
- A special focus on sustainable and responsible tourism, featuring discussions on how businesses and travellers can contribute to ethical and eco-conscious travel.
- Various talks on Photography, Travel Hacks, Weddings, Cruisesbr & more
This year’s festival is designed to inform, inspire, and ignite action, ensuring that every attendee walks away with fresh ideas and valuable insights.
6. Who are some of the key participants in the festival this year, and how do they contribute to its success?
The festival brings together an impressive mix of participants, including leading travel brands, hospitality giants, tourism boards, tech innovators, content creators, and industry thought leaders. Some of the most influential names in travel, aviation, and hospitality will be sharing their insights and engaging with attendees. From major airlines and hotel chains to travel influencers, sustainability advocates, and policymakers, each participant plays a crucial role in shaping the discussions and experiences at the event. Their presence enriches the festival and strengthens industry-wide collaborations that will drive the future of travel.
7. What are you most excited about in this year’s edition of the World Travel and Tourism Festival?
Well, I’m excited about the energy and possibilities that this festival brings. Every year, the way people travel, experience, and engage with tourism is evolving, and this festival is a front-row seat to those changes. I’m particularly excited about the deeper integration of travel, tech and sustainability-focused discussions this year. Technology is reshaping the industry in ways we couldn’t have imagined a decade ago, ranging from AI-driven travel planning to immersive virtual tourism. At the same time, sustainability is becoming central to how people choose destinations, accommodations, and experiences. But more than anything, I look forward to the stories, connections, and innovations that will emerge from this gathering. Travel is an industry built on human connection, and when you bring passionate people together in one space, magic happens.
