Telangana is stepping onto the global stage with a bold push for culinary and experiential tourism. At the Telangana Tourism Conclave 2025, held at Shilparamam on World Tourism Day, the state launched the Telangana Culinary & Experiential Tourism Accelerator (TCETA), India’s first dedicated accelerator for culinary tourism.
Chief Minister Shri A. Revanth Reddy, alongside Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, and Sports Minister Vakiti Srihari, formally handed over the MoU to Gopi Byluppala, Founder and CEO of The Culinary Lounge (TCL), in a ceremony attended by senior officials and industry leaders.
TCETA aims to transform Telangana into a global tourism hub by mentoring food entrepreneurs, providing challenge grants, and scaling startups through its flagship programmes RISE and FLY. The initiative aligns with the state’s vision to increase tourism’s contribution to the economy, create jobs, and strengthen Brand Telangana internationally.
A highlight of the conclave was the launch of the Culinary & Cultural Passport of Telangana, designed to encourage travellers to explore all 33 districts through local cuisine, crafts, and festivals. Alongside this, the Telangana Culinary Map visually showcases the state’s rich culinary heritage, from traditional dishes to regional specialties.
Panel discussions explored how Telangana’s cuisine can act as a soft power tool and global identity marker. Led by Gopi Byluppala, sessions highlighted grassroots innovators such as Shobamma and the 10-women Swagruha collective from Karimnagar, recognising their potential on international platforms. Indian mountaineer Poorna Malavath and Prerna Prasad, Founder of Ecoplore, also emphasised integrating adventure, eco-tourism, and culture for unique travel experiences.
The conclave concluded with a clear message: Telangana’s food and culture must take centre stage in its global tourism identity, empowering local entrepreneurs and creating memorable journeys for travellers worldwide.
Founded in 2018, The Culinary Lounge has pioneered Culinary Diplomacy in India, delivering experiential programmes to luxury clients, corporations, embassies, and high-net-worth individuals.
