India has never needed to be told to travel for faith. Long before the word “tourism” existed, this was already the country’s biggest movement of people: the Kumbh, the Char Dham, the annual pull toward Varanasi, Tirupati, Shirdi. Faith-linked journeys account for around 60% of India’s domestic travel demand, while Hindu pilgrimage spending alone is estimated at roughly INR 4.74 lakh crore a...

The ASSOCHAM-CBRE report presented during the conclave noted that organised hotel occupancy increased to 64.1% in 2025 from 42.0% in 2021, while growth in average daily rates supported a recovery in RevPAR beyond pre-pandemic levels. Improving connectivity and the emergence of new destinations are also opening opportunities for hospitality and tourism investment beyond established markets.

The 2nd India–Italy Joint Working Group (JWG) on Tourism was held on September 29, 2026, co-chaired by Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and Emanuela Tripi, Secretary-General, Ministry of Tourism, Italy. The discussions covered a broad range of areas for strengthening tourism cooperation between the two countries, including exchange of tourism data...

Ministry of Tourism gears up for the implementation of Special Campaign 6.0, being undertaken by the Government of India from October 2 to October 31, 2026, with a focus on Swachhata and reducing pendency across Government. This year, the Government-wide Campaign will also reportedly place special emphasis on the effective collection, segregation and disposal of e-waste.

The organisation is looking at a renewed partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, with a focus on kickstarting the national Responsible Traveller campaign, reviving the National Sustainable Tourism Board, destination carrying-capacity studies and stronger industry and state-level participation. RTSOI’s Mandip Singh Soin speaks exclusively with T3.

The Ministry of Tourism celebrated World Tourism Day 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. On the occasion Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched the National Digital Tourism Stack and the National Mission for Alternative Destinations ­— ­­­­Dekho Apna Desh Campaign 2.0. The Ministry also exchanged five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with industry partners...

Addressing a session on India Tourism Growth, Investment and Global Opportunities at 2nd ICC Global Business Summit 2026, Bhuvnesh Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, outlined key strategic shifts for India’s travel sector...

Andhra Pradesh’s Tourism, Culture and Cinematography Minister, Kandula Durgesh, said the state government had accorded industry status to tourism, describing it as a significant step towards accelerating investment and development in the sector. He said the government had also introduced policies to encourage job creation, homestays, tent cities, and greater private participation in tourism...

Under the planned version, the shortlisted destinations will be developed into marketable packages by the industry, with the government, state governments and industry jointly promoting them. The Ministry of Tourism is also working on creating a Digital Tourism Stack that could allow international visitors to navigate India with fewer touchpoints and less friction.

Travellers will still be required to apply for the e-Tourist visa through India’s official online visa portal, with the waiver applying specifically to the visa fee.