At the WION Iconic Tourism Summit in New Delhi on 23 September, ambassadors from Ireland, Greece, Sri Lanka, Slovakia and Nicaragua discussed how their countries are seeking to attract a new generation of Indian travellers, not only through iconic destinations, but through culture, adventure, wellness, sustainability and improved connectivity.
Moderated by Sidhant Sibal, Foreign Affairs Editor, WION, the conversation moved from must-visit destinations to tourism connectivity, visas, digital payments and what each country can offer beyond the familiar postcard.
Beyond Dublin: Discovering Ireland
Asked which places Indian tourists must visit, H.E. Kevin Kelly, Ambassador of Ireland to India, urged visitors to move beyond Dublin and head towards Ireland’s west coast.
He highlighted the spectacular landscapes around Skellig Michael, the UNESCO World Heritage Site made famous globally by its appearance in Star Wars. He also recommended Galway, bringing a personal touch to his answer by referring to its association with the famous Galway Girl song.
For Ambassador Kelly, Ireland’s appeal lies partly in its compact geography. Visitors can experience city life, mountains and the coast within a relatively short distance.
H.E. Aliki Koutsomitopoulou, Ambassador of Greece to India, similarly encouraged Indian travellers to look beyond the country’s most famous islands.
While acknowledging that destinations such as Santorini are universally recognised, she recommended exploring mainland Greece, particularly the south and her hometown of Kalamata, known for its olives, beautiful landscapes and local character.
Her message was to discover a Greece beyond the familiar combination of islands, beaches and summer holidays.
For H.E. Mahishini Colonne, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, the island’s appeal lies in its combination of heritage and nature. She highlighted Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage sites and biodiversity, while recommending experiences such as the Pekoe Trail, a long-distance hiking route through the central highlands and tea country.
H.E. Róbert Maxián, Ambassador of Slovakia to India, pointed towards the High Tatras and the Carpathian mountains, along with Slovakia’s historic towns, castles, spas and UNESCO heritage.
He stressed that Slovakia’s relatively small size allows visitors to experience several facets of the country within a short period.
For H.E. Nadeska Imara Cuthbert Carlson, Ambassador of Nicaragua to India, the journey could begin in Granada, followed by Ometepe Island, with its two volcanoes, and San Juan del Sur. Nicaragua, she said, combines beaches, mountains, volcanoes, history and culture, while increasingly focusing on ecotourism and sustainable tourism.
Connectivity: The key to unlocking Indian tourism
The discussion then turned to connectivity and the growing importance of the Indian market.
Asked about India–Ireland tourism, Ambassador Kelly noted that India has become a priority market for Tourism Ireland, which has established a presence in Mumbai. He pointed to the role of family travel, business tourism and the large Indian community in Ireland.
With around 100,000 people of Indian origin in a country of fewer than five million, people-to-people links are an important driver of travel between the two countries. Kelly also highlighted growing MICE tourism, with business visitors increasingly combining professional trips with leisure experiences.
He pointed to Ireland’s accessibility from the UK as another advantage, including the British-Irish Visa Scheme, under which eligible Indian travellers can visit both countries using a qualifying visa.
For Greece, Ambassador Koutsomitopoulou highlighted the importance of direct air connectivity. She said the new connection between India and Greece had contributed to strong growth in Indian tourism.
However, she stressed that Greece should not be viewed solely as a summer destination. Indian visitors, she said, could explore the country during different seasons, discover lesser-known islands and experience its mountains and mainland.
The objective is not simply to bring more first-time visitors, but to encourage travellers to return and discover another side of Greece.
Making travel easier
For Sri Lanka, the conversation focused on the practical ease of travelling and spending.
High Commissioner Colonne highlighted the Electronic Travel Authorisation system and the growing use of digital payments. The UPI–LankaQR system, operational since 2024, allows Indian visitors to make payments at participating Sri Lankan merchants using UPI.
The next step, she said, is to bring more merchants into the system so that the convenience is available to an even larger number of Indian tourists.
She also underlined the deep civilisational links between India and Sri Lanka. The Ramayana Trail, she said, offers an opportunity to explore sites associated with the epic, while the two countries share a much broader religious and cultural heritage.
She pointed to the sacred Bodhi tree in Sri Lanka, descended from the original Bodhi tree in India, as one example of these enduring links.
Slovakia: A compact European experience
Asked what Slovakia offers that travellers may not find elsewhere in Europe, Ambassador Maxián emphasised its size and accessibility.
Slovakia can be explored relatively easily, with travel across the country possible within a few hours. Indian tourists can also combine it with visits to neighbouring destinations such as Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland.
He highlighted wellness tourism, particularly Slovakia’s mineral and thermal spas, alongside castles, wine, gastronomy and nature.
The country is also seeing growing Indian engagement. Maxián noted that around 11,000 Indians live and work in Slovakia, while Indian tourist numbers have also been increasing.
Nicaragua and the wider region
The final question focused on Nicaragua’s potential to become part of a wider Latin American journey.
Ambassador Carlson encouraged Indian travellers to think beyond individual destinations and consider Latin America and the Caribbean as a region. Nicaragua could be combined with neighbouring countries such as Costa Rica and Honduras, she suggested, given their shared natural wealth and regional connections.
Nicaragua’s proposition, she stressed, goes beyond its landscapes. Its people, culture and gastronomy are equally important to the visitor experience.
The lack of direct flights from India remains a challenge, with travellers generally connecting through international hubs. Yet the Ambassador said Nicaragua is increasingly focused on developing sustainable and ecotourism while offering a diverse range of experiences — from surfing and volcano visits to mountains, beaches and the Caribbean coast.
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