India–Italy Tourism Partnership: A New Journey of Culture and Connection

From hidden destinations and cinema to heritage, skills and business partnerships, the two nations are building a broader and more dynamic tourism bridge.

Tourism is more than travel—it is a powerful bridge between cultures, communities and economies. India and Italy, two nations celebrated for their rich heritage, art, cuisine and traditions, are now seeking to deepen their tourism partnership through a broader and more collaborative approach.

The 2nd India–Italy Joint Working Group (JWG) on Tourism, held on 29 September 2026, brought renewed focus to this growing relationship. The meeting was co-chaired by Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and Emanuela Tripi, Secretary-General, Ministry of Tourism, Italy.

The discussions covered several important areas, including tourism data exchange, promotion of lesser-known destinations, cine-tourism, destination twinning, skilling and capacity building, and stronger Business-to-Business (B2B) engagement.

The emphasis on lesser-known destinations is particularly significant. While iconic landmarks continue to attract international travellers, promoting emerging destinations can encourage more diverse tourism experiences and distribute the economic benefits of tourism across a wider range of communities.

Cine-tourism offers another exciting avenue for cooperation. Films have the ability to transform locations into global travel inspirations. Greater collaboration between India’s and Italy’s creative industries could showcase landscapes, heritage and cultural experiences to new audiences while strengthening people-to-people connections.

The proposed destination-twinning initiatives could further connect heritage locations and tourism institutions in both countries, encouraging knowledge exchange, joint promotion and cultural cooperation.

Equally important is the focus on skills and capacity building. Tourism depends heavily on trained professionals, from hospitality workers and guides to destination managers and travel specialists. Sharing expertise can contribute to better visitor experiences and stronger tourism ecosystems.

The push for enhanced B2B engagement also signals an effort to translate government-level cooperation into practical partnerships involving tour operators, travel companies, hospitality businesses and other industry stakeholders.

Looking ahead, the proposed India–Italy Year of Culture and Tourism 2027 provides an important platform to build on these initiatives.

The latest JWG discussions demonstrate that the India–Italy tourism relationship is evolving beyond conventional destination promotion. It is increasingly about connecting people, preserving heritage, discovering new destinations and creating lasting cultural and economic partnerships.

For both nations, the journey ahead promises to be as meaningful as the destinations themselves.