New Delhi, 2 April 2025: The Tourism Sustainability Summit 2025, organised by FHRAI in collaboration with PHDCCI, centred around the theme "Mainstreaming Sustainability in Tourism". The summit brought together government leaders, industry experts, and sustainability advocates to discuss the future of responsible tourism. The inaugural session set the stage with Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Mr. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainability in the tourism sector. Speaking at the summit, Mr. Shekhawat urged industry leaders to focus on expanding the sector, stating that tourism could emerge as the largest contributor to India’s GDP in the coming years. He quoted that “India’s economy is growing rapidly, and the tourism industry has the capacity to advance at a similar pace”. He further said that the impact of climate change on tourism is calling for urgent action as receding glaciers and environmental challenges pose significant threats to this sector. The industry leaders have to take responsibility and integrate sustainable tourism practices into future development plans.”
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. Mr. Billa highlighted the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in transforming the tourism industry. He further said that “India is aspiring to become the third largest country in the world in terms of tourism by 2047. Incredible India should include best global practices and we should make Indian tourism to empower our cultural heritage”. He also apprised the audience that the Ministry of Tourism has launched its own sustainability programme.
Madhya Pradesh’s Principal Secretary for Tourism & Managing Director, Mr. Sheo Shekhar Shukla (IAS), showcased the state’s rich tourism potential with 14 UNESCO-listed sites, 12 national parks, and prominent religious destinations. He highlighted the state’s focus on rural and tribal tourism, adding 50 new tourism destinations and promoting cruise tourism to attract visitors to lesser-known locations. He further said, “The state government had divided the state into five cultural zones having seven tribes and 45 sub-tribes”. He also shared Madhya Pradesh tourism initiatives and efforts to develop eco, rural, and cultural tourism. Mr Sandip Kumar, Tourism Officer at Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd, Government of Gujarat, appreciated the Tourism Sustainability Summit 2025 for bringing industry leaders together to discuss the future of tourism. He highlighted Gujarat’s focus on eco-friendly tourism, citing the Rann of Kutch and the Statue of Unity as successful examples of sustainable tourism that support local communities and preserve cultural heritage.
Mr. K Syama Raju, President, FHRAI said this summit has extended an important platform to discuss the best solutions to the problems being faced by this industry. He commented, “Our country has huge natural resources and such spots may get converted into attractive tourism destinations. Such innovative ideas and natural destinations are catching the tourists from across the globe. This summit has provided a huge opportunity for collaboration between the policymakers and tourism industry stakeholders. Such engagements and conceptual brainstorming will usher the tourism industry into future growth and attract the tourists from all over the country and abroad.” Mr. Hemant Jain, President, PHDCCI further reinforced industry-wide responsibility, the role of businesses in eco-friendly tourism, and the need for policy-driven sustainability efforts. Amb. Manjeev Singh Puri, Chair, India- Nepal centre and Mr. Glenn Mandziuk, CEO, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, UK also underlined the importance of Sustainability in tourism sector.
The session also featured the launch of the Handbook on Best Sustainability Practices in Indian Hospitality, prepared by the FHRAI Centre of Excellence, and a special book on GRT Hotel’s Sustainability Practices by Mr. Vikram Cotah, CEO, GRT Hotels. The Handbook aims to serve as a comprehensive guide, showcasing the sustainable initiatives implemented by the hospitality sector and inspire others to follow suit.
The First panel discussion highlighted the importance of sustainability in the hospitality industry. The panellist talked about a regenerative and sustainable future tourism models, and also explored the scope of shift from sustainable to regenerative tourism, emphasizing the need of eco-tourism, biodiversity conservation, and community engagement. The discussion also emphasized the need for students to be prepared to create an impact in the corporate world and contribute to sustainable tourism. The discussion concluded with a call for collective action and policy advocacy.
The second panel discussion on greener travel underscored the shift from traditional paper tickets to digital and paperless systems, improving tourist experiences with QR codes and digital maps. Key sustainability measures discussed included digital monitoring of water and energy usage, AI-based maintenance, EV chargers, and local procurement. Technologies like cloud-based systems, self-check-in kiosks, and smart controls were highlighted for reducing paper usage and energy consumption. The importance of educating guests and employees on sustainability practices was stressed, along with the need for renewable energy sources and digital solutions to enhance efficiency and reduce carbon footprints. The session concluded with a call for adopting new technologies and making sustainability a habit.
The third panel discussion emphasized on the importance of integrating sustainability into tourism policies. The discussion stressed the need for holistic collaboration and data-driven thinking. It was being highlighted that India has huge untapped tourism potential, and some panellist underscored the economic benefits of tourism and the importance of protecting natural heritage sites.
The fourth panel discussion highlighted key insights from industry leaders on sustainable tourism, responsible financing, and inclusive policies. The discussion shed light on the lack of focus on green financing in tourism, stressing the need for banks to integrate ESG principles and explore investment in sustainable hospitality, particularly in regions like Nepal’s Pokhara, which serves as a model for eco-friendly tourism. The discussion stressed the importance of inclusivity in sustainability, particularly in Himalayan regions, where migration and climate challenges disproportionately impact local populations, especially women. Lastly, the session concluded with a strong emphasis on the need for policy-driven innovation, ESG-aligned investment, and community-driven approaches to build a sustainable and resilient future.
Another key attraction was the sustainability-themed fashion show, which showcased innovative eco-friendly apparels reflecting responsible tourism practices. The event was also significant due to the presence of various stakeholder from the tourism industry at one platform. Their participation underscored the importance of sustainable tourism and highlighted the initiatives taken to promote eco-friendly tourism, green investments, and responsible travel policies. The summit brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts, ensuring a meaningful exchange of ideas aimed at enhancing environmental consciousness within the hospitality and tourism sector.
Key Takeaways from the Tourism Sustainability Summit 2025
- Tourism as a Key Driver of Economic Growth.
- Government’s Commitment to Sustainable Tourism
- Growing Role of Technology in Sustainable Tourism.
- Importance of Green Finance and ESG Investments in Sustainable tourism
- Community Involvement and Skill Development for promoting Eco- Tourism
- Advocacy for Policy-Driven Sustainability Models