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.
Focus on Sustainable and Grounded Growth
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 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, Harsh Berlia, Chairman, ICC North Bengal, noted strong national participation and expressed optimism that discussions would translate into future deals and larger gatherings ahead.
Building Scalable Regional Brands
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.
Keynote voices included Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman of Ambuja Neotia Group, who spoke on institution-building and responsible tourism, and Vikram Challur, Senior Vice President at MakeMyTrip, who shared insights on demand, distribution and evolving guest behaviour.
Technology, Marketing and New-Age Formats
Other sessions explored direct bookings and digital funnels, hospitality technology and AI, design-led ROI, marketing storytelling and emerging hospitality formats. Delegates described the discussions as candid, actionable and aligned with real-world decision-making.
Participants included representatives from brands such as Mayfair Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Hotel Group, Lemon Tree Hotels, Fortune Park Hotels, The Postcard Hotel, The Hosteller, Club Mahindra, Ascott, Simplotel and Colliers, among others.
A Maturing Regional Story
The exhibition and networking zones saw strong engagement, with many noting Siliguri’s capability to host national-level industry platforms.
The conclave 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.
