Awareness, better policies can unlock India's tourism potential, say experts
Speaking at the India Today's FAITH Tourism Conclave 2026, tourism industry representatives said India should focus on promoting year-round travel, creating greater awareness about unique destinations and ensuring stable policies to support the sector.
India has everything a traveller could ask for – heritage, wildlife, beaches, mountains and diverse cultures. Yet, industry leaders believe the country needs to do more to turn these strengths into a truly seamless tourism experience, especially if it wants to attract more international visitors.
Speaking at the India Today’s FAITH Tourism Conclave 2026, tourism industry representatives said India should focus on promoting year-round travel, creating greater awareness about unique destinations and ensuring stable policies to support the sector.
INDIA NEEDS TO BECOME A 365-DAY DESTINATION
Vikram Lalwani, President of the All India Resort Development Association (AIRDA) and Managing Director & CEO of Sterling Holiday Resorts, said India has world-class tourism assets, but many destinations continue to face strong seasonality.
"India has some great assets – destinations, people and food. But the country is yet to position itself as a 365-day destination," Lalwani said.
He said that travellers are willing to visit international destinations throughout the year but often avoid Indian destinations during the summer months.
"We need to answer one simple question – why should someone visit Rajasthan in May or June? It is the responsibility of both the government and the private sector to create experiences that give travellers a reason to visit throughout the year," he added.
AWARENESS AND EASIER TRAVEL CAN BOOST INBOUND TOURISM
Representing the Indian Heritage Hotels Association, Shatrunjay Singh said India already offers memorable experiences in every season, but many travellers are simply unaware of them.
"The experience is already available. We just need to create greater awareness," Singh said.
Using Rajasthan's Ranthambore National Park as an example, he explained that although summer temperatures are high, it is one of the best times to spot tigers because animals gather around water bodies.
Singh also stressed that inbound and domestic tourism require different approaches.
"Inbound tourism needs stronger global awareness and greater visa flexibility, while domestic travellers look for different kinds of experiences such as destination weddings, events and leisure holidays," he said.
STABLE POLICIES AND DRIVER WELFARE MATTER TOO
Satish Sehrawat, President of the Indian Tourist Transporters Association (ITTA), highlighted the operational challenges faced by transport operators.
"Frequent policy changes create uncertainty. Operators are forced to spend money repeatedly because rules keep changing," Sehrawat said.
He also urged hotels to pay more attention to the welfare of drivers, who play a critical role in ensuring a safe travel experience.
"If the driver doesn't get proper rest, tourists are putting their own safety at risk the next day," he said.
The panel agreed that building a seamless tourism ecosystem is about much more than hotels and attractions. Better coordination, consistent policies, improved awareness and comfortable travel experiences will all be essential if India wants to strengthen both domestic and international tourism in the years ahead.
India has everything a traveller could ask for – heritage, wildlife, beaches, mountains and diverse cultures. Yet, industry leaders believe the country needs to do more to turn these strengths into a truly seamless tourism experience, especially if it wants to attract more international visitors.
Speaking at the India Today’s FAITH Tourism Conclave 2026, tourism industry representatives said India should focus on promoting year-round travel, creating greater awareness about unique destinations and ensuring stable policies to support the sector.
INDIA NEEDS TO BECOME A 365-DAY DESTINATION
Vikram Lalwani, President of the All India Resort Development Association (AIRDA) and Managing Director & CEO of Sterling Holiday Resorts, said India has world-class tourism assets, but many destinations continue to face strong seasonality.
"India has some great assets – destinations, people and food. But the country is yet to position itself as a 365-day destination," Lalwani said.
He said that travellers are willing to visit international destinations throughout the year but often avoid Indian destinations during the summer months.
"We need to answer one simple question – why should someone visit Rajasthan in May or June? It is the responsibility of both the government and the private sector to create experiences that give travellers a reason to visit throughout the year," he added.
AWARENESS AND EASIER TRAVEL CAN BOOST INBOUND TOURISM
Representing the Indian Heritage Hotels Association, Shatrunjay Singh said India already offers memorable experiences in every season, but many travellers are simply unaware of them.
"The experience is already available. We just need to create greater awareness," Singh said.
Using Rajasthan's Ranthambore National Park as an example, he explained that although summer temperatures are high, it is one of the best times to spot tigers because animals gather around water bodies.
Singh also stressed that inbound and domestic tourism require different approaches.
"Inbound tourism needs stronger global awareness and greater visa flexibility, while domestic travellers look for different kinds of experiences such as destination weddings, events and leisure holidays," he said.
STABLE POLICIES AND DRIVER WELFARE MATTER TOO
Satish Sehrawat, President of the Indian Tourist Transporters Association (ITTA), highlighted the operational challenges faced by transport operators.
"Frequent policy changes create uncertainty. Operators are forced to spend money repeatedly because rules keep changing," Sehrawat said.
He also urged hotels to pay more attention to the welfare of drivers, who play a critical role in ensuring a safe travel experience.
"If the driver doesn't get proper rest, tourists are putting their own safety at risk the next day," he said.
The panel agreed that building a seamless tourism ecosystem is about much more than hotels and attractions. Better coordination, consistent policies, improved awareness and comfortable travel experiences will all be essential if India wants to strengthen both domestic and international tourism in the years ahead.
India has everything a traveller could ask for – heritage, wildlife, beaches, mountains and diverse cultures. Yet, industry leaders believe the country needs to do more to turn these strengths into a truly seamless tourism experience, especially if it wants to attract more international visitors.
Speaking at the India Today’s FAITH Tourism Conclave 2026, tourism industry representatives said India should focus on promoting year-round travel, creating greater awareness about unique destinations and ensuring stable policies to support the sector.
INDIA NEEDS TO BECOME A 365-DAY DESTINATION
Vikram Lalwani, President of the All India Resort Development Association (AIRDA) and Managing Director & CEO of Sterling Holiday Resorts, said India has world-class tourism assets, but many destinations continue to face strong seasonality.
"India has some great assets – destinations, people and food. But the country is yet to position itself as a 365-day destination," Lalwani said.
He said that travellers are willing to visit international destinations throughout the year but often avoid Indian destinations during the summer months.
"We need to answer one simple question – why should someone visit Rajasthan in May or June? It is the responsibility of both the government and the private sector to create experiences that give travellers a reason to visit throughout the year," he added.
AWARENESS AND EASIER TRAVEL CAN BOOST INBOUND TOURISM
Representing the Indian Heritage Hotels Association, Shatrunjay Singh said India already offers memorable experiences in every season, but many travellers are simply unaware of them.
"The experience is already available. We just need to create greater awareness," Singh said.
Using Rajasthan's Ranthambore National Park as an example, he explained that although summer temperatures are high, it is one of the best times to spot tigers because animals gather around water bodies.
Singh also stressed that inbound and domestic tourism require different approaches.
"Inbound tourism needs stronger global awareness and greater visa flexibility, while domestic travellers look for different kinds of experiences such as destination weddings, events and leisure holidays," he said.
STABLE POLICIES AND DRIVER WELFARE MATTER TOO
Satish Sehrawat, President of the Indian Tourist Transporters Association (ITTA), highlighted the operational challenges faced by transport operators.
"Frequent policy changes create uncertainty. Operators are forced to spend money repeatedly because rules keep changing," Sehrawat said.
He also urged hotels to pay more attention to the welfare of drivers, who play a critical role in ensuring a safe travel experience.
"If the driver doesn't get proper rest, tourists are putting their own safety at risk the next day," he said.
The panel agreed that building a seamless tourism ecosystem is about much more than hotels and attractions. Better coordination, consistent policies, improved awareness and comfortable travel experiences will all be essential if India wants to strengthen both domestic and international tourism in the years ahead.
