T3 spoke exclusively with Mugdha Sinha IAS, DG of Tourism, Govt of India, as she shared about the expected launch of the revamped Incredible India portal, expansion of capacity-building pilot program and her hopes to bring in a global level event on the lines of Tourism Day next year.
On the occasion of World Tourism Day today, the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), will roll out a series of forward-looking initiatives aimed at revitalising India’s tourism ecosystem. As T3 spoke exclusively with Mugdha Sinha, Director General Tourism, Govt of India, she highlighted several key developments that signal a proactive approach to enhancing both domestic and international tourism, while placing a strong emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and skill-building.
A significant milestone is the launch of the revamped Incredible India portal, which now acts as a comprehensive platform for travel planning, the DG revealed. With over 4,500 photos, films, and informational resources available for free download, the portal offers unprecedented access to rich content that can support both tourists and the travel trade. Sinha described it as “the grand dame of aggregators” that simplifies the booking process and itinerary-destination experiences. The platform also includes user-generated travel diaries, which provide authentic testimonials and itinerary suggestions.
The Ministry has also turned its attention to capacity-building in the hospitality sector, a vital part of India’s tourism infrastructure. Sinha shared that 57 Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs) have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with international hotel chains, including IHG, Radisson, Marriott, The Lalit, and Lemon Tree. These partnerships will co-brand the IHMs and introduce a globally benchmarked curriculum, giving students exposure to world-class hospitality standards, she added. This move aims to produce a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting global tourism demands, aligning with the broader goal of strengthening India’s hospitality industry.
The Ministry has further expanded its capacity-building pilot program, which was initially launched in six key destinations. This initiative will now be scaled to 50 locations across India, the DG shared. “The focus is to bring the Atithi Devo Bhava ethos into practice across more regions,” Sinha noted.
Rural, responsible and community-led tourism is another area receiving considerable attention. “The Ministry will be announcing the winners in eight categories under the Rural Tourism initiative,” shared Sinha. These efforts reflect a growing focus on sustainability and the importance of inclusive growth within the tourism sector, creating opportunities for local communities to participate in and benefit from tourism-related activities.
Notably, this year also marks a renewed chapter in inter-ministerial cooperation as well. The Ministry of Tourism has partnered with the Ministries of Civil Aviation and Railways for the World Tourism Day, bringing them together and signalling a “whole of government” approach to boost tourism infrastructure. Sinha said that these infrastructure Ministries coming together will aid the Destination-Production driven tourism approach.
Sinha has also expressed hopes at bringing in a major event for next year’s World Tourism Day. She hinted plans for a ‘Tourism Global Initiative’, which will focus on leveraging ‘Talent, Tradition, Trade, and Technology’ and will ultimately bolster India’s position in the tourism market. “I have huge plans regarding the same,” she added, keeping specifics under wraps for now.
For today, the Ministry of Tourism is celebrating the World Tourism Day 2024 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi with the theme “Tourism and Peace”, emphasising the role of tourism in fostering global harmony and development. The celebration will see India’s Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar as the Chief Guest along with Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Union Minister of Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Minister of State for Tourism, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Suresh Gopi chairing the event.
Besides what the DG mentioned, the programme will include showcasing initiatives like Paryatan Mitra, Best Tourism Village Winners, Industry Status to Tourism & Hospitality – A Handbook, among others.
History & significance of World Tourism Day
First celebrated in 1980, World Tourism Day marks the anniversary of the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO, now UN Tourism) establishment in 1975. The day underscores tourism’s critical role in global socio-economic development, promoting cross-cultural exchange, and driving economic growth. With the aim of using tourism as a major means for sustainable development and especially poverty alleviation, UN Tourism decided to celebrate World Tourism Day on 27th September every year.
With this year’s focus on “Tourism and Peace,” the global tourism community reflects on how travel can be a force for peace, understanding, and sustainability. By integrating tourism into broader development agendas, countries can unlock new avenues for economic and social progress, with India leading the charge through its innovative policies and initiatives.
Stay tuned for more “World Tourism Day” updates on T3 today.
