The Government of Telangana has launched the Telangana Culinary Experiential Tourism Accelerator (TCETA), India’s first dedicated programme to strengthen culinary tourism through food innovation, rural entrepreneurship, and women-led enterprises. The initiative is positioned to make Telangana a national leader in experiential tourism driven by cuisine, culture, and agritech collaboration.
The launch event was presided over by Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, IAS , Special Chief Secretary, YAT&C, and CEO of SPEED. He said the accelerator aligns with the state’s long-term goal of significantly contributing to India’s growth under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
According to him, the programme is designed to bring together chefs, startups, farmers, storytellers, and investors on a single platform to convert Telangana’s culinary identity into economic opportunity, employment generation, and global recognition.
A defining feature of TCETA is its strong Indo–Dutch partnership . A dedicated Netherlands Track has been co-created with Wageningen University & Research, FoodValley NL, StartLife, and the Netherlands India Chamber of Commerce & Trade (NICCT). The collaboration aims to connect Dutch agritech and food-innovation expertise directly with Telangana’s tourism and culinary ecosystem, supporting pilot projects in sustainable agriculture, food technology, and digital tourism.
Dr. Edith Nordmann, Chairperson of NICCT, noted that culinary tourism offers a unique bridge linking agriculture, innovation, and culture. She said the partnership would open new value chains and opportunities for farmers, chefs, and entrepreneurs in both countries.
One of the core pillars of TCETA is its commitment to rural inclusion and women entrepreneurs. The application process has been simplified to make participation easier for villagers and small-scale food producers, with minimal English requirements.
Gopi Byluppala, Founder of The Culinary Lounge, highlighted Hyderabad’s recognition as India’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy and said the accelerator will help the state compete with global markets. Applications open December 4, 2025, and the first cohort begins in April 2026.
The event saw participation from government officials, cultural leaders, and industry experts, along with panel discussions and a curated tasting of Telangana’s traditional cuisine. Officials noted that TCETA marks a major step in integrating culture, tourism, and innovation into a single growth narrative for the state.
