Gopalpur on Sea,  Dec 19:- Tourism India Alliance one of India’s fastest-growing not-for-profit tourism organisations with a network of over 450 members across 80 cities, has announced the return of its flagship event, Tourism Exchange  2026. Following the strong success of TEX 2025 in Pushkar, the upcoming edition will be hosted at the picturesque Mayfair Palm Beach Resort & Spa, Gopalpur-on-Sea, Odisha, from January 8 to 10, 2026.

Positioned as one of India’s most comprehensive tourism industry gatherings, TEX 2026 is expected to bring together state tourism boards, global tourism bodies, industry leaders, travel companies, media, and influencers for three days of collaboration, learning, and business engagement.

Designed as a unifying platform for the entire travel and tourism ecosystem, TEX 2026 will feature immersive knowledge sessions, insightful panel discussions, curated networking opportunities, and focused business meetings aimed at accelerating partnerships and unlocking new growth avenues. The event is expected to welcome over 300 delegates and 30+ exhibitors from India and international markets, fostering conversations around the future of tourism in an evolving global landscape.

The event will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers and thought leaders shaping the future of Indian tourism. The keynote address will be delivered by Mr. Suman Billa, IAS, Additional Secretary and Director General, Ministry of Tourism, whose leadership has been instrumental in driving national tourism initiatives. He will be joined by eminent experts including Hitesh Motwani, who will speak on the role of artificial intelligence in tourism; Amar Choudhary, who will address motivation and leadership within the travel trade; Abhishek Agarwal, offering insights into GST and compliance frameworks for tourism businesses; Hemant Mediratta, exploring the evolution of luxury travel in India; and Rajeev Kohli, sharing perspectives on inbound tourism. Senior officials and industry leaders such as Naveen Kundu and Arun Srivastava from the Ministry of Tourism will also contribute to key discussions.

Strengthening regional representation, state tourism boards from Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh will showcase their latest destination offerings and policy initiatives. Adding a global dimension, representatives from the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau will participate, reinforcing TEX 2026’s international relevance.

One of the major highlights of the event will be the Tourism India Alliance Awards for Excellence in Tourism 2026, which will recognise outstanding achievements across the sector. The awards will honour innovation, leadership, sustainability, and excellence across multiple categories, including travel services, destination management, representation, transportation, luxury travel, MICE, marketing leadership, women entrepreneurship, and technology-driven tourism initiatives.

Speaking about the upcoming edition, a spokesperson from Tourism India Alliance said that TEX has evolved into a national movement fostering collaboration across the tourism value chain. They added that TEX 2026 will spotlight emerging opportunities while encouraging meaningful dialogue to strengthen India’s position as a resilient and competitive global tourism destination.

Scheduled from January 8–10, 2026, at Mayfair Palm Beach Resort & Spa, Gopalpur-on-Sea, TEX 2026 is expected to mark a significant milestone for tourism professionals, policymakers, and global partners engaging with India’s rapidly transforming tourism sector.

Tourism India Alliance continues to remain committed to strengthening India’s tourism ecosystem by promoting cooperation, sustainability, and inclusive growth. With its expanding network and impactful initiatives, TIA plays a vital role in advancing India’s long-term tourism vision.