India Celebrates Tourism Milestones and Plans Future Growth

On February 13, 2026, India marked significant milestones in its tourism history. The occasion was led by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who is the Union Minister for Culture and Tourism. He spoke at an event in New Delhi to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the India Tourism Development Corporation, known as ITDC, and the 70th anniversary of The Ashok Hotel. ITDC is an important organization that contributes to India's tourism and hospitality sector. Shekhawat described ITDC as a 'multi-dimensional growth engine' for India's tourism and hospitality system. This means that ITDC plays an important role by supporting various parts of the industry. He talked about how tourism in India has expanded beyond just providing places to stay or visit. It now includes many different areas that help bring more visitors to the country. During his speech, the Minister congratulated both ITDC and The Ashok Hotel for their long service. He expressed confidence that the support from the public will help ITDC continue to grow and improve its services in the coming years. As part of the celebrations, an important initiative was announced. The government plans to train 1,500 tribal homestay operators. These operators will learn about hospitality standards, financial literacy, and digital operations. The goal is to strengthen communities by creating more opportunities for people living in tribal areas. This will help them earn a livelihood through tourism by offering authentic and well-managed rural stays. In addition to internal development, the Ministry of Tourism is working with the World Bank. They are collaborating to create long-term financial plans. These plans aim to support different states in India as they work on developing their tourism industry. This partnership is expected to provide the necessary funding for various tourism projects across the country. Regarding future policies, there have been no official announcements. As of 2024, there is no confirmed plan to introduce a new National Tourism Policy. Similarly, there have been no official statements suggesting that tourism's contribution to India's gross domestic product (GDP) will exceed the global average within the next five years or reach a specific percentage by 2030. Despite the positive developments, there remains uncertainty about specific growth targets related to tourism. No official confirmation has been given about tourism contributing 10 percent of India's GDP by 2030 or surpassing this mark within the next five years. These are goals that have been discussed but not yet formally announced or finalized. The overall importance of tourism continues to be recognized as a key part of India's economy. The government is focused on enhancing infrastructure, community involvement, and international partnerships to sustain growth. Myriad strategies are in place to support this vision, but official numbers and policy decisions are still pending. In summary, India is celebrating its progress in tourism and hospitality, recognizing long-standing organizations like ITDC and The Ashok Hotel. The government is also working on community-focused initiatives that can benefit local populations. Future collaborations with international agencies aim to provide sustained financial support for tourism growth. While specific growth targets remain unconfirmed, ongoing efforts suggest that India views tourism as an important sector for its economic development.