PHDCCI-KPMG report to unveil new roadmap for heritage tourism

As India continues to strengthen heritage-led tourism as a driver of sustainable development and economic growth, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) will organize its 15^th International Heritage Tourism Conclave (IHTC) on 24 July 2026 at the Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad. The conclave is being organized with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; Jharkhand Tourism; Madhya Pradesh Tourism; Rajasthan Tourism and Tamil Nadu Tourism.

Organised under the theme ख़याल विरासत का (Care for Heritage), the conclave will bring together policymakers, state tourism boards, museum professionals, conservation experts, hospitality leaders, technology innovators and industry stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for strengthening India’s heritage tourism ecosystem through policy, partnerships and innovation.

Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism and Culture, Government of India, has been invited as the Chief Guest, while Shri Jupally Krishna Rao, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism & Culture, Government of Telangana, has been invited as the Guest of Honour.

The inaugural session will also feature addresses by Mr. Suman Billa (IAS), Additional Secretary & Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and Mr. L. Ranjeet Nayak (IFS), Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Telangana.

PHDCCI will be represented by Mr. Anil Parashar, Chair – Tourism & Hospitality Committee; Mr. Gautam Jain, Chair – Telangana Chapter; Mr. Sunil Kumar, Co-Chair – Telangana Chapter; Mr. Rajan Sehgal, Co-Chair – Tourism & Hospitality Committee; and Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, CEO & Secretary General.

The conclave will also witness the release of the PHDCCI-KPMG Report on Heritage Tourism, presenting insights into emerging trends, investment opportunities and policy recommendations for strengthening India’s heritage tourism sector.

A distinguished line-up of experts will lead four thematic knowledge sessions addressing some of the most pressing issues shaping the future of heritage tourism.

The session ‘The New Age of Museums’ will examine how museums are evolving into dynamic cultural destinations that enhance visitor engagement and strengthen destination branding. Moderated by Mr. Aalap Bansal, Partner, KPMG India, the discussion will feature Ms. Priyanka Francis (IAS), Director, Salar Jung Museum & National Gallery of Modern Art; Mr. Ajay B. Kochle, Director, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya; Ms. Kishwar Desai, Chairperson, Partition Museum; Prof. Aloka Parasher Sen, Author and Historian; Ms. Anuradha Reddy, Convenor, INTACH Hyderabad Chapter; and Ms. Shoba Rudra, Partner & Founder, RARE India.

The session ‘Food is Memory’ will explore how regional cuisines, culinary traditions and food trails can strengthen destination identity and enrich visitor experiences. Moderated by Chef Thomas Zacharias, Founder, The Locavore, the session will feature Chef Manjit Gill, President, Indian Federation of Culinary Associations; Chef Madhu W. Krishnan, President, Bocuse d’Or India; and Mr. Sanjay Thakur, Principal, Institute of Hotel Management, Hyderabad.

The session ‘Shared Heritage, Shared Responsibility’ will deliberate on creating an enabling ecosystem for public-private partnerships in heritage conservation and destination management. Moderated by Ms. Shalini S Sharma, Assistant Secretary General, PHDCCI, the panel will include Mr. D. Venkatesan, Regional Director (South), Ministry of Tourism; Dr. Devendra Singh, Representative, Archaeological Survey of India; Mr. Deepraj Singh, EC Member, Indian Heritage Hotels Association and Owner, Laxmi Vilas Palace, Bharatpur; Mr. Raju Sharma, Director – CSR, InterGlobe Aviation Ltd (IndiGo); and Mr. Ajay Verma, Chief Experience Officer, EaseMyTrip.

The session ‘Tech, AI & the Future of the Past’ will examine how artificial intelligence, immersive technologies and digital storytelling are transforming heritage interpretation and visitor experiences. Moderated by Mr. Raghava Krishna, Founder & CEO, Brhat, the session will feature Dr. Shiva Ji, Associate Professor, IIT Hyderabad; Mr. Ajit Padmanabh, Founder & CEO, Who VR; Mr. Santosh Kalyan Kumar, Founder & CEO, Consistency AI and Jatayuv AI; and Mr. Vijay P. Kamalakara, Founder & CEO, Storytrails.

Beyond the conference sessions, delegates will also participate in curated heritage walk covering Taj Falaknuma Palace, Charminar, Laad Bazaar and the historic quarters of Hyderabad, offering an opportunity to experience the city’s living heritage, architecture and cultural traditions.

The conclave is also supported by IndiGo; Axis Bank; IRCTC; Bakshi Transport Service; KPMG; Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI); Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO); Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA); Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI).