“Tourism and Sustainable Transformation” India celebrates World Tourism Day 2025 with theme ‘Tourism and Sustainable Transformation’

Ministry of Tourism Highlights Eco-Friendly Initiatives, Connectivity, and Technology-Driven Development

New Delhi , September 27, 2025- The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, celebrated World Tourism Day 2025 with a focus on “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.” The event brought together leaders from government, industry, academia, and civil society to reaffirm India’s commitment to cultural exchange, economic growth, and sustainable practices in tourism.

The celebration was graced by Suman Bery, Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog, as Chief Guest, while Suresh Gopi, Minister of State for Tourism and Petroleum & Natural Gas, presided over the event. Suman Billa, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, delivered the welcome address. Reflecting the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) theme, the event emphasized tourism’s role in driving sustainable development and India’s vision for “Viksit Bharat 2047.”

Sustainable Tourism as a Growth Driver
Vice Chairperson Suman Bery highlighted that tourism is a powerful instrument for economic transformation, environmental stewardship, and social inclusion. He emphasized embedding sustainability at the core of tourism strategies, leveraging transport, urban development, digital technology, and infrastructure to improve accessibility, spread benefits beyond major hubs, and protect natural resources. Public-private collaboration, he noted, is essential for linking investment with community participation and environmental safeguards.

Inclusive and Green Tourism Vision
The Minister of State for Tourism underscored India’s efforts to integrate sustainability across initiatives such as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and PRASHAD, promoting eco-friendly accommodations, rural and village tourism, and leveraging technology for better planning and engagement. Investments in airports, highways, inland waterways, and railways—along with initiatives like UDAN and integrated transport hubs—are making tourism destinations more accessible and inclusive, supporting holistic regional development.

Strategic Partnerships and Digital Initiatives
Several MoUs were signed with Netflix, Atithi Foundation, and leading Online Travel Agencies (OTAs). The Netflix partnership aims to promote Indian destinations globally through cinematic storytelling, while agreements with Atithi Foundation and OTAs will support research, innovation, capacity building, and post-travel feedback to guide policy decisions.

The Ministry also launched the Project Management Information System (PMIS), a digital platform for real-time monitoring and management of tourism infrastructure projects, enhancing efficiency and transparency. The 66th edition of the India Tourism Data Compendium was released, showcasing record international and domestic arrivals, employment generation, and India’s growing global tourism standing—now ranked 20th worldwide for international tourist arrivals. Additionally, a booklet, “Guide to MUDRA Loans for Homestays,” was launched to assist stakeholders with online applications through the Jan Samarth portal.

Panels and Thematic Sessions
A high-level panel on transportation and connectivity featured senior officials from road, aviation, railways, and shipping ministries, highlighting seamless multimodal links as key to sustainable tourism. Thematic sessions covered case studies such as Mahakumbh 2025 and the Statue of Unity, the role of Destination Management Organizations (DMOs), and innovative technologies like AI, AR/VR, and digital twins to enhance planning and visitor experiences.

The World Tourism Day 2025 celebrations reaffirmed India’s commitment to building a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous tourism sector, positioning the country as a global leader while fostering innovation, cross-sectoral collaboration, and people-centric development.

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