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President FHRAI
Subject: - Information About Successful Organization of Tourism Sustainability Summit 2025
Dear Members,
Greetings from FHRAI!
We are delighted to share that FHRAI in collaboration with PHDCCI organised the Tourism Sustainability Summit 2025 on 26th March 2025 in New Delhi under the theme "Mainstreaming Sustainability in Tourism". The 2nd edition of the Summit was a huge success and brought together more than 350 representatives from government, industry experts and sustainability advocates from India and abroad to discuss the future of responsible and sustainable tourism.
Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Chief Guest at the inaugural session emphasized on the urgent need for sustainability in the tourism sector. The Guest of Honour, Mr. Suman Billa (IAS), Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, spoke about mindful tourism growth, aligning with the Mission LiFE initiative, and the need for community-driven sustainable tourism. Other dignitaries graced the inaugural session were Mr. Sheo Shekhar Shukla (IAS), Principal Secretary, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, Amb. Manjeev Singh Puri, Distinguished Fellow, TERI & Former Ambassador of India, Mr. Glenn Mandziuk, CEO, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, (UK), Mr. K Syama Raju President, FHRAI, Mr. Hemant Jain, President, PHDCCI and Mr. Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President, HRANI.
The inaugural session also featured release of the FHRAI Handbook on Best Sustainability Practices in Indian Hospitality and a special book on GRT Hotel’s Sustainability Practices by Mr. Vikram Cotah (CEO, GRT Hotels). The Handbook prepared by FHRAI Centre of Excellence aims to serve as a comprehensive guide, showcasing the sustainable initiatives implemented by the hospitality sector and inspiring others to follow suit. It outlines key strategies, case studies, and actionable steps that hospitality businesses can adopt to minimise their ecological footprint through energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, sustainable transportation and responsible sourcing while enhancing operational efficiency.
The full report can be accessed here: https://fhrai.com/pdf/Handbook_on_Best_Sustainability_Practices_in_Indian_Hospitality.pdf
Following the inaugural session, the summit continued with four panel discussions, each addressing key aspects of sustainable tourism. One of the panel discussions featured insights from Ambassadors and global experts. The discussion highlighted global best practices, legal frameworks for sustainable tourism, and economic policies that drive eco-friendly tourism development. Another unique highlight of the summit was the Sustainability Fashion Show, which showcased eco-friendly fashion and responsible lifestyle choices, reinforcing sustainability beyond tourism into everyday living.
With high-level policy discussions, industry insights, and actionable takeaways, the Tourism Sustainability Summit 2025 reinforced that sustainability is no longer an option but a necessity for the future of tourism.
Best regards,
Jaison Chacko
Secretary General
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