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Why India wants visitors to look past Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, which regions are in the spotlight and how to plan a trip
On October 9, 2026, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced that New Delhi will host its Global Summit in 2027. Around the same time, India's Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat told delegates in Malta that India is "much, much, much beyond" the three cities most foreign visitors know: Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, the so-called Golden Triangle. This guide looks at why India is pushing travellers beyond that circuit, which regions are in the spotlight, what new routes and trends are emerging and how to plan a trip.
Note: This guide draws on trade and news reports and is general planning information. Check official sources for current permits, visas, prices and weather before you travel.
An ASSOCHAM-CBRE report released on October 1 says demand is broadening beyond classic leisure and heritage travel into six segments:
The report also says India's expressways have begun to function as tourism corridors linking multiple heritage and wildlife sites, and that improved access is opening up Kashmir and the Northeast.
| Region | What travellers can expect | Why it is in the news |
|---|---|---|
| Hampi, Karnataka | Ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire amid boulder landscapes | Named by the minister among destinations beyond the Golden Triangle |
| Kerala | Backwaters, hill stations, Ayurveda and beaches | Named by the minister |
| Goa | Beaches, Portuguese-era heritage and food | Named by the minister |
| Northeast India | Mountains, tribal cultures, tea gardens and wildlife | Identified as having strong international potential |
| Odisha | Buddhist heritage, Chilika Lake, handlooms and eco-tourism | The state earmarked ₹1,500 crore for tourism infrastructure for 2026 to 2031 and a 5,500-acre land bank, per a report on Odisha Travel Bazaar 2026 |
| Ladakh | High-altitude landscapes and wildlife | Trade press reports India's first high-altitude snow leopard safaris have launched |
| Sikkim | Himalayan scenery and monasteries | Reports describe a push for digital and sustainable tourism |
| Rishikesh, Varanasi, Bodh Gaya | Yoga, spiritual and Buddhist sites | Reported as an emerging wellness travel link |
These are general suggestions:
When is the WTTC Global Summit 2027?
Dates have not been announced. It will be held in New Delhi.
What is the Golden Triangle?
The popular tourist circuit of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.
Why does India want tourists to go beyond it?
Officials say India's image is too tied to three cities, and spreading visitors across regions supports growth, investment and sustainability.
Which regions did the minister name?
Hampi, Kerala, Goa and Northeast India, among others.
Based on reports from Travel Weekly, Asian Hospitality, eTurboNews, IndexBox, RusTourismNews, The Week, Trav Talk, TravelBiz Monitor and Travel and Tour World as of October 14, 2026. Details may change.
