India’s Travel and Tourism Sector Embarks on a Sustainable Journey
In a significant move to align with the global sustainability agenda, the MakeMyTrip Foundation, in collaboration with the World Travel and Tourism Council India Initiative (WTTCII), hosted the India Travel and Tourism Sustainability Conclave 2025 in New Delhi. The event brought together key stakeholders from public and private sectors to discuss and implement sustainable practices in the tourism industry. The conclave was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who emphasized the need for leadership and mindset shifts to make India a leader in sustainable tourism.
Key Takeaways from the Conclave
The conclave highlighted the importance of sustainability in the tourism sector, with a focus on environmental responsibility, cultural preservation, and economic viability. Industry leaders stressed the need for a uniform green rating system for hotels, discipline, and cultural change to shift behaviors towards sustainability. The launch of the Sustainable Hospitality Handbook by MakeMyTrip, in collaboration with the Hotel Association of India, provided concrete tools and guidelines for hotel managers and owners to implement sustainable practices.
Panel Discussions and Key Findings
The conclave featured panel discussions on various sectors, including hospitality, aviation, urban transport, and carbon-neutral future. The discussions emphasized the need for innovation, leadership, and accountability to drive sustainability. Key findings included:
- The need for a uniform green rating system for hotels
- The importance of reducing waste and improving energy efficiency
- The potential of urban transport to drive sustainability
- The need for behavioral change and reimagined architecture to reduce environmental impact
- The importance of preserving cultural heritage and natural beauty while promoting economic development
Call to Action
The conclave culminated with a call for collaboration across government, private enterprises, and citizens to make sustainable tourism a reality. Industry leaders emphasized the need for conscious, collective, and consistent action to embed sustainability into every link of the tourism value chain. The event set the tone for a transformative decade in Indian tourism, with a focus on responsible and eco-conscious travel practices.
The Way Forward
The India Travel and Tourism Sustainability Conclave 2025 was a significant step towards making India’s tourism sector sustainable. The event highlighted the need for simple, mindful actions, such as reducing single-use plastics and improving waste segregation practices. With the launch of the Sustainable Hospitality Handbook and the commitment from industry leaders, India is poised to set a global benchmark for responsible travel. The time for passive awareness is over, and what is needed now is conscious, collective, and consistent action to make sustainable tourism a reality.