Event aims to position Hyderabad as India’s premier short-break travel hub
HYDERABAD, Oct 26 (The CONNECT)-
The Tourism Committee of the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI), together with the Telangana Tourism Department and the National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (NITHM), has announced a half-day national conference on strengthening the Weekend Tourism Economy. The event will take place on November 15, 2025, at NITHM, Gachibowli, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The conference is being organised in association with the Telangana Chamber of Events Industry (TCEI) and Pragati Resorts.
This will be the first dedicated conference in India focusing exclusively on weekend travel as an economic growth model. While recent national tourism strategies have encouraged identifying short-trip circuits around urban centres, this initiative marks the first structured dialogue to view weekend tourism as a sustainable development driver.
Speaking about the initiative, R. Ravi Kumar, President, FTCCI, said that weekend travel has the potential to stimulate local businesses, diversify tourism beyond peak seasons, and enhance well-being for urban populations. “Every weekend has the power to energise regional economies,” he noted.
Telangana’s strategic connectivity gives it a natural advantage, with heritage towns, eco-retreats, cultural clusters, and resorts located within 150–250 km of Hyderabad. The state is widely seen as a potential model for building Weekend Tourism Circuits.
Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Special Chief Secretary (Industries, Commerce & IT), Government of Telangana, will inaugurate the conference and deliver the keynote address. GBK Rao, Chairman, Pragati Resorts, will be the Guest of Honour. Prof. V. Venkata Ramana, Director, NITHM, said the initiative aligns with Telangana’s commitment to responsible and livelihood-oriented tourism development.
The sessions will cover themes such as urban wellness travel, mapping weekend destinations, experience-based tourism, transportation, safety, rural tourism livelihoods, eco-tourism, and marketing strategies. A special discussion on how millennials and digital influencers are reshaping short-break travel is also planned.
Over 100 participants are expected, including hotel and resort operators, event curators, tour planners, corporate HR teams, media representatives, travel bloggers, and tourism students. Registration is open with a nominal participation fee.
