BRICS 2026 Tourism Working Group Meeting Held Under India's Chairship

Among the major focus areas highlighted during the meeting was the integration of Artificial Intelligence in tourism.

India formally advanced its tourism diplomacy agenda under the BRICS 2026 Chairship by successfully hosting the 1st BRICS Tourism Working Group (TWG) Meeting in virtual mode on May 25, 2026. The meeting marked the beginning of a series of high-level engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation among BRICS nations in the tourism sector through innovation, sustainability and enhanced global collaboration.

The inaugural session was chaired by the Joint Secretary (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and brought together representatives from BRICS member nations to deliberate on the roadmap for tourism cooperation during India's presidency of the grouping.

Held under the broader theme, "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability," the meeting served as both an introductory and strategic platform for member countries to exchange perspectives on emerging global tourism priorities and discuss collective approaches for strengthening the sector in a rapidly evolving international environment.

India used the opportunity to present its core thematic priorities for tourism cooperation under the BRICS framework for 2026. These priorities reflect the growing importance of technology-driven, sustainable and people-centric tourism models in the post-pandemic global economy.

Among the major focus areas highlighted during the meeting was the integration of Artificial Intelligence in tourism. India emphasized the increasing role of AI in improving travel experiences, tourism management, digital marketing, visitor analytics, language accessibility, smart destination development and personalized tourism services. Discussions also touched upon how digital innovation can help BRICS countries improve competitiveness and resilience in the global tourism market.

Another key priority under India's Chairship is Sustainability and Responsible Tourism. India stressed the need for environmentally conscious tourism practices that preserve cultural heritage, protect biodiversity and promote local community participation. Member nations discussed the importance of balancing economic growth with ecological sustainability, especially as tourism continues to expand across emerging economies.

Tourism Skilling and Capacity Building also emerged as a major area of cooperation during the meeting. India highlighted the necessity of developing a skilled tourism workforce capable of adapting to technological changes and evolving traveller expectations. The discussions included potential collaboration in hospitality training, digital skills, language learning, entrepreneurship development and exchange programmes among BRICS nations.

In addition, Tourism Exchanges and Seamless Travel Facilitation formed an important component of the agenda. India proposed measures aimed at improving connectivity, simplifying travel processes, encouraging cultural exchanges and strengthening people-to-people ties among BRICS countries. Delegates explored ways to enhance cooperation in visa facilitation, tourism promotion and cross-border travel experiences.

Officials noted that the meeting laid a strong foundation for deeper engagement among BRICS nations in the tourism sector and reflected the growing importance of multilateral collaboration in addressing global tourism challenges.

The Ministry of Tourism stated that the discussions during the virtual session would help shape future policy cooperation and joint initiatives among member states over the course of India's BRICS Chairship in 2026.

Building on the momentum of the first meeting, the 2nd BRICS Tourism Working Group Meeting is scheduled to take place on August 19–20, 2026, in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The Pink City will also host the BRICS Tourism Ministers' Meeting on August 21–22, 2026, where senior ministers and policymakers from member countries are expected to deliberate on concrete policy measures and collaborative tourism initiatives.

These in-person meetings are expected to provide a significant platform for expanding tourism partnerships, enhancing institutional cooperation and developing long-term strategies for sustainable tourism growth among BRICS nations.

India's leadership of the BRICS tourism agenda comes at a time when the country is actively positioning itself as a global tourism hub through infrastructure development, digital transformation, heritage promotion and sustainable tourism initiatives. The government has been promoting tourism as a major driver of economic growth, employment generation and cultural diplomacy.

As Chair of BRICS 2026, India is expected to play a central role in shaping collaborative tourism frameworks that address modern challenges such as climate change, digital disruption, sustainable development and inclusive growth.

The successful conduct of the first Tourism Working Group Meeting signals India's intention to use its BRICS Chairship to deepen international tourism partnerships while promoting innovation-driven and sustainable tourism models that can benefit both economies and communities across member nations.