Tourism Breaking News
As heritage destinations increasingly position themselves as investment-ready tourism hubs, Varanasi is emerging as a key focal point. The upcoming IIA International Tourism & Hospitality Expo aims to align the city’s spiritual legacy with contemporary tourism, infrastructure and economic opportunities.
The Indian Industries Association (IIA) International Tourism & Hospitality Expo is scheduled to take place from 18–19 December 2025 at Hotel Taj, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, bringing together global investors, diplomats, business leaders and cultural stakeholders from across India’s tourism and hospitality ecosystem. The Expo is supported by key partners including Invest UP, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Incredible India, IRCTC and Banaras Hindu University.
The two-day event focuses on showcasing the cultural and spiritual heritage of Varanasi, with particular emphasis on the Buddhist Circuit and Jain Circuit. The programme includes high-level conferences, panel discussions, exhibitions, B2B networking sessions and curated site visits, designed to highlight both the region’s investment potential and its cultural depth.
A dedicated platform will also be provided for Indian artisans under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, aimed at creating global linkages for traditional crafts and promoting local livelihoods through tourism-led demand.
The Expo seeks to position Varanasi not only as a timeless spiritual destination but also as a modern hub for tourism-driven economic growth. Its objectives include facilitating concrete investment agreements, boosting international tourist arrivals and strengthening cultural and economic ties with global markets.
In 2024, Varanasi emerged as India’s top tourism destination, recording 11 crore visitors, with growth largely driven by spiritual and cultural tourism.
Alongside exhibitions, the Expo will feature conferences and interactive sessions highlighting emerging trends, technology adoption and best practices shaping the future of hospitality and tourism in heritage destinations.
