Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Receives WTTC Global Champion Award for Tourism Leadership

Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has received the Global Champion Award from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in recognition of his leadership in supporting the growth and competitiveness of India's tourism sector. The honour was presented during WTTC's 26th Global Summit in Malta from October 7 to 9, 2026, as India seeks to strengthen its international tourism presence and expand the sector's economic contribution.

WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara said India's tourism growth was driven by rising international demand and the strength of its domestic market. She highlighted Shekhawat's advocacy for public-private collaboration as an important factor in sustaining the industry's expansion. The summit brought together more than 1,000 delegates, including over 200 leading travel and tourism CEOs and government leaders.

The award recognises public leaders whose policies and initiatives promote tourism growth, competitiveness and international visibility. It highlights the importance of cooperation between governments and private businesses in attracting investment, improving infrastructure and developing destinations.

According to WTTC's latest Economic Impact Research, India's travel and tourism sector contributed $263.6 billion to the economy in 2025 and supported 46.2 million jobs. Its contribution is projected to increase by 8.5% to $286.1 billion in 2026, with employment expected to reach 48.1 million. WTTC estimates that the sector's economic contribution could reach $527 billion by 2036.

Domestic tourism remains the industry's principal driver. Domestic visitor spending reached $203 billion in 2025, accounting for 86% of total tourism spending, while India recorded more than six billion domestic trips. Expanding international visitor spending remains an opportunity for further growth.

Government initiatives, including Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and PRASHAD, support destination infrastructure and pilgrimage tourism. As of February 2026, 53 Swadesh Darshan 2.0 projects worth approximately ₹2,208 crore and 54 PRASHAD projects worth about ₹1,727 crore had been sanctioned. Another 38 projects worth around ₹698 crore had been sanctioned under the Challenge-Based Destination Development initiative.

India will also host the WTTC Global Summit in New Delhi in 2027, creating opportunities for international business engagement. However, infrastructure gaps, service quality, sustainability and visitor safety remain important challenges.

WTTC's publicly available historical records do not establish the exact number of previous Indian recipients of the award. The recognition's long-term significance will depend on translating international visibility into investment, employment and improved tourism experiences.