India’s first conference dedicated to the “Weekend Tourism Economy” was held in Hyderabad, signalling a major push to transform short-break travel into a structured economic opportunity. The event was organised by the Tourism Committee of the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI) in association with the Telangana Tourism Department, National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (NITHM), Incredible India, Ramoji Film City, Pragathi Resorts and Summer Green Resorts.
The conference brought together resort operators, destination promoters, tourism professionals, scholars and students. It was inaugurated by Valluru Kranthi, Managing Director, Telangana Tourism Development Corporation (TGTDC), in the presence of R. Ravi Kumar, President, FTCCI; K.K. Maheshwari, Senior Vice President; Srinivas Garimella, Vice President; G.B.K. Rao, CMD, Pragati Group; A.V. Rao, Vice President, Ramoji Film City; Sanjay Agarwal, Director, Summer Green Resorts; Prakash Ammanabolu, Chairman, FTCCI Tourism Committee; D. Ramchandram, Co-Chairman; and Sangeetha, Director, FTCCI.
Delivering the keynote address, Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary, Tourism Department, said Telangana is well-positioned to lead the rise of short-break travel. “Nearly 2.5 million people employed across IT and Life Sciences sectors eagerly look for frequent short breaks to rejuvenate. Unlike the past, tourism is no longer a hobby—today it is a lifestyle,” he said. He urged the industry to leverage the state’s new tourism policy to develop themed, layered experiences and cited Pochampally as an example of how crafts, cuisine, culture and history can be integrated into a single destination. He also invited citizens to participate in FTCCI’s Traffic Junction Jewels Photo Contest and the Weekend Getaways Reel Contest.
Kranthi said the conference comes at a time when demand for mental wellness and short escapes is rising sharply. “Nearly one million IT professionals in Hyderabad seek refreshing weekend breaks. Telangana must identify at least 150 potential weekend getaways and promote them effectively,” she said. She noted that the state has already drawn ₹15,000 crore in investments across 31 tourism projects within months of launching its Tourism Policy 2025–2030. The state is currently developing nine tourism clusters, with plans to expand that to 27, backed by curated attractions and tailor-made travel packages.
Representing Ramoji Film City, A.V. Rao said, “Tourists trust tourists,” highlighting the Film City’s new glamping concepts designed to attract weekend travellers.
An MoU was exchanged between NITHM and Ravi Bura to train rural women in wedding planning and related services, marking a new skill development initiative linked to tourism. The rejuvenated lake inside the NITHM campus was also inaugurated during the event.
FTCCI President Ravi Kumar emphasised that Hyderabad is strategically placed to emerge as India’s Weekend Tourism Capital. Prakash Ammanabolu and D. Ramchandram added that while national initiatives such as the Incredible India Tourism Investors Summit have encouraged identification of weekend circuits near metros, this conference is India’s first structured national platform dedicated to the weekend tourism economy. “Weekend Tourism is not just leisure—it is a new economic model. Our goal is to champion a 360° approach involving government, industry, academia, media, and influencers,” they said.
Ramchandram pointed out that Hyderabad is surrounded by nearly 460 potential weekend getaways within a 150–200 km radius, including eco-retreats, heritage sites, adventure zones and farm stays. Telangana’s road network and geographical diversity, he said, make it an ideal pilot state for building replicable weekend tourism circuits.
The conference hosted speakers from diverse fields. Mani Pavitra, Founder of Creatorwerse, spoke on “Reels to Real: How Screen Tourism Can Take Weekend Destinations to Places.” Mir Khan, Founder, Deccan Terrain Heritage, presented “Heritage This Weekend,” outlining how Hyderabad’s heritage can be explored through short, curated itineraries. Hospitality expert Anuhya Nallani Chakravartula delivered a session titled “From Getaways to Growth Engines: Redefining Telangana’s Travel Future Through the Weekend Tourism Movement.”
A session by the Telangana Forest Development Corporation, led by K. Shireesha along with naturalist Akhil and consultant Suman, highlighted untapped eco-tourism potential in the state’s forests and wildlife regions.
Startup ecosystem leader and TEDx licensee Viiveck Verma spoke on “Weekends: The New Tourism Currency,” exploring how micro-travel is shaping post-pandemic travel behaviour.
A concluding panel discussion titled “Unscripted Conversations on India’s Weekend Tourism Future,” moderated by Satya Kiran of eThames College, featured Valmiki Harikishan, Advisor to the FTCCI Tourism Committee; Dilnaz Baig, custodian of Hyderabadi Nizami cuisine; and Niveditha, COO of Experium, who explained how the platform is collaborating with Hyderabad to shape it as India’s Weekend Capital.
More than 150 delegates, including hoteliers, resort owners, tour operators, HR leaders, event planners, influencers, bloggers, government officials and students, took part in the event.
The FTCCI Tourism Committee said building a weekend tourism ecosystem can create sustained economic growth by turning tourism into a year-round activity, boosting rural incomes, advancing mental wellness, easing pressure on popular tourist hubs and promoting local culture and content creation. The conference drew insights from Japan, Spain and Italy, where micro-tourism and workation models have helped drive tourism recovery in recent years.
“For urban citizens seeking wellness, family time, and rejuvenation, weekend travel is becoming a necessity. If Hyderabadis start exploring nearby destinations regularly, Telangana can build a thriving Weekend Tourism Economy that creates jobs, boosts rural incomes, strengthens infrastructure, and celebrates the state’s cultural and natural richness,” the FTCCI Tourism Committee stated.
