The Tamil Nadu Global Tourism Summit 2026 marked a decisive moment in the State’s tourism strategy, with the government signing 127 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth INR 22,794 crore, investments expected to generate 65,937 jobs across multiple districts. The two-day summit, held in Mahabalipuram, positioned tourism as a key driver of economic growth, cultural visibility, and sustainable development.
Addressing the summit, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced that a Tamil Biennale would be organised in January 2027, aimed at positioning the State as a global destination for art and cultural tourism.
“Tamil Nadu’s tourism growth will be rooted in culture, sustainability, and inclusive development,” Stalin said. “Our objective is not just to attract visitors, but to position Tamil Nadu as a global destination where heritage, creativity, and modern infrastructure coexist.”
Recognising Mahabalipuram’s growing international profile, the Chief Minister also announced the creation of a Special Area Development Authority to develop world-class tourism infrastructure in the region at an estimated cost of INR 100 crore. Under the Tamil Nadu Tourism Policy 2023, SIPCOT will play a key role in identifying tourism locations, attracting investment, and facilitating project development.
As part of this strategy, 31 locations across the State have been identified for tourism-led development. Four districts—Kanniyakumari, Kallakurichi, Erode, and Thoothukudi—have been earmarked as special tourism destinations, with expressions of interest invited for large-scale investments.
Major MoUs signed at the summit include proposals for amusement parks, ropeways, luxury hotels, sports infrastructure, heritage theme parks, and wellness resorts. Pham Sanh Chau, Managing Director and CEO of VinGroup Asia Operations, signed an MoU to establish world-class amusement parks, hotels, and EV mobility solutions in Tamil Nadu.
In the last five years alone, the State government has invested INR 612.18 crore in tourism development, welcoming 128.97 crore domestic tourists and 45 lakh foreign visitors during this period.
Beyond investment announcements, the summit stood out for its substantive, sector-led conversations, featuring eight curated panel discussions and three fireside sessions across priority tourism verticals, including digital travel, coastal and adventure tourism, sports tourism, MICE, eco-tourism, heritage, wellness, and food culture.
Industry leaders such as Abraham Alapatt (Thomas Cook India), Chitra Gurnani Daga (Thrillophilia), Karthick Prabu (ONDC), and Christopher William (Hiverlab) discussed how AI, platforms, and immersive technologies are reshaping discovery, booking, and destination management.
Panels on coastal and adventure tourism brought together practitioners, including Arun Vasu (Surfing Federation of India), Neil Davidson (PADI), Jehan Driver (Quest Adventure Sports Academy), Rudra Bhanu Solanki (Skyhigh India), and Oliver Headon (HeadOn Bungy), focusing on safety standards, certification systems, and long-term coastal governance.
Sports tourism discussions featured Tania Sachdev (International Master and Woman Grandmaster, Chess), Kasi Viswanathan of the Chennai Super Kings, and Boria Majumdar (Sports Journalist & Founder - Revsportz), examining how participatory sports, leagues, and athlete-led ecosystems can drive year-round tourism and repeat visitation. Heritage conversations led by Dr Navina Jafa (heritage scholar and Kathak dancer), Navin Piplani (Sushant University), and Kanika Singh (Founder, Delhi Heritage Walks) explored how cultural experiences can be designed for younger travellers without diluting authenticity.
Wellness, food, and sustainability emerged as strong cross-cutting themes. A dedicated wellness tourism session brought together nutrition evangelist Dr Shikha Sharma, Dr B.R. Senthilkumar of the National Institute of Siddha, and Abishek Ramesh of Kairali Ayurveda Group, highlighting Tamil Nadu’s natural advantage in lifestyle-led wellness tourism. A fireside on food culture featuring Sanjeev Kapoor and historian Pushpesh Pant examined how global travel is reshaping regional cuisines.
Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa underlined tourism’s role in the State’s broader economic model.
“Tamil Nadu is the most urbanised State in India, yet our growth is regionally distributed,” he said. “Tourism allows us to balance manufacturing, services, and primary sectors while ensuring inclusivity, population scale, and sustainable, long-term development.”
With strong investor confidence, a diversified project pipeline, and a clear emphasis on culture and sustainability, the summit positioned Tamil Nadu not just as a tourism destination, but as a globally competitive tourism economy in the making.