India AI Impact Summit 2026, held from 16–21 February at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, has intensified industry conversations around AI-led transformation. For the travel trade, discussions at the summit point towards predictive marketing, sharper distribution control, and smarter MICE execution — though these remain strategic projections rather than immediate structural shifts.
Organised by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under the IndiaAI Mission, the summit — themed Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya — focused on demonstrable impact across sectors. Within tourism and hospitality, stakeholders outlined how AI could reshape operational and commercial strategies over the coming years.
Avijit Arya, CEO and Founder, Internet Mogul, suggested that policy momentum may enable the creation of Indian-context AI models capable of decoding linguistic and cultural diversity more effectively than international large language models.
“Right now, the context for AI is coming from international LLM models. When Indian companies create Indian models, we will understand our consumers better and create more curated experiences for their hotel, train, aircraft, and stay,” he said.
Arya indicated that AI’s evolution may not consolidate power exclusively within large global technology ecosystems. “Large tech ecosystems will always be there, but they cannot solve 10,000 problems. There will be hundreds and thousands of companies solving specific pain points. It’s going to be a resurgence,” he said, pointing to potential opportunities for specialised travel technology providers.
He also noted that Internet Mogul is preparing to launch REGIME, a software platform positioned to address industry-specific requirements as AI adoption matures.
On MICE, Arya suggested AI could refine behavioural segmentation. “AI will help you understand which customer is more sensitive. We just need to integrate AI in the perfect way — instead of replacing people, use it as an advantage,” he said.
From the hotel ownership perspective, Arjun Baljee, Founder, ICONIQA and President, Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd, anticipates a gradual shift from reactive to predictive hospitality over the next 12–24 months.
“We are moving away from generic, mass marketing toward AI-driven engines that analyse guest behaviour in real time to offer tailored experiences,” he said, adding that increasingly granular pricing and AI-enabled guest interfaces could strengthen direct booking strategies.
“AI is the ultimate equaliser for homegrown Indian brands,” Baljee said, noting that SaaS-based models may allow mid-sized hotels to access predictive tools without heavy capital investment.
Together, industry leaders indicate that AI’s impact on Indian hospitality and tourism will be defined not by disruption alone, but by precision, localisation, and measurable commercial returns.
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at TravTalk with experience spanning multiple content niches, with a strong focus on travel trade journalism and digital publishing. A graduate of Delhi University, his work covers editorial writing, content strategy and platform-led storytelling, supporting TravTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys films, poetry and exploring new ideas across media and culture.
