Prime Highlights:
- Telangana has launched India’s first Culinary Experiential Tourism Accelerator (TCETA) to promote rural and women entrepreneurs.
- The initiative aims to turn local food culture into business opportunities and strengthen the state’s tourism economy.
Key Facts:
- The accelerator was launched at We-Hub in Hyderabad, with applications opening on December 4, 2025, and the first batch starting in April 2026.
- A MoU was signed between the Telangana government and the Netherlands India Chamber of Commerce and Trade (NICCT) to support global collaboration and innovation.
Backround:
Telangana is using its rich food culture to boost the economy with the launch of the Telangana Culinary Experiential Tourism Accelerator (TCETA), the first program in India to support rural and women entrepreneurs.
The accelerator, launched at We-Hub in Hyderabad, aims to turn local food traditions into successful businesses. It seeks to create jobs, promote entrepreneurship, and boost the tourism economy by linking local talent with global chefs, investors, and innovation networks.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Telangana government and the Netherlands India Chamber of Commerce and Trade (NICCT) to collaborate on the program. Applications for TCETA will open on December 4, 2025, with the first cohort set to begin in April 2026.
Speaking at the launch, Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary for Tourism, said the initiative aligns with Telangana’s broader vision to make tourism an economic driver. “Women are at the heart of this ecosystem.
Many of our culinary ventures are led by women, and this accelerator will give them structured pathways to scale their work,” he said. He added that the state is moving from sightseeing-based tourism to experiential travel, identifying nine new clusters where culinary trails will be integrated into tourism plans.
Gopi Byluppala, Founder of The Culinary Lounge, said TCETA is open and easy to join. Rural entrepreneurs and home cooks will get guidance from food experts without facing complicated paperwork or language barriers.
A special “Netherlands Track” will bring Dutch expertise from Wageningen University, FoodValley NL, and StartLife to support innovation in agritech, sustainable food production, and digital food tourism.
Valluru Kranthi, Managing Director of Telangana Tourism, said TCETA highlights a shift in how people experience travel. “People know the cuisine; now we want to tell the stories behind it,” she said.
The initiative marks a new chapter for Telangana, one where food, culture, and women-led innovation come together to create a more inclusive tourism economy.
