Minister of State for Tourism, Suresh Gopi, stated that India has placed connectivity at the center of its tourism vision. Speaking at an event in New Delhi celebrating World Tourism Day, he highlighted initiatives such as the UDAN scheme, which has improved access to tourist destinations. Mr. Gopi also noted that programs like Swadesh Darshan 2.0 promote sustainable development of destinations, while the PRASHAD scheme supports the development of pilgrimage sites.
Vice Chairperson of Niti Aayog, Suman Bery, emphasized the challenge of making tourism both affordable and accessible to domestic travelers while boosting foreign tourism. He described tourism as a powerful tool for economic transformation, environmental protection, and social inclusion, noting that sustainable tourism can preserve biodiversity while generating livelihoods globally.
The theme of this year’s World Tourism Day is “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.” During the event, several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between a private OTT platform and online travel agencies. The Ministry also launched the Project Management Information System (PMIS), a digital platform for real-time monitoring of tourism projects to ensure transparency and efficiency.
Additionally, the 66th edition of the India Tourism Data 2025 Compendium was released, providing insights into tourism trends across the country. The event brought together key stakeholders from government and industry, reaffirming India’s commitment to fostering cultural exchange, driving economic growth, and promoting sustainable tourism practices.