Tourism | DD News

September 28, 2026 12:36 PM

Tourism growth must benefit local communities: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Sunday said the next phase of India's tourism growth must move beyond popular destinations and create greater opportunities for local communities, entrepreneurs, women and youth. Addressing the World Tourism Day 2026 celebrations at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Shekhawat said changing traveller preferences were creating new opportunities for India to promote more authentic and community-oriented tourism. “Tourism is no longe...

September 28, 2026 11:39 AM

World Tourism Day 2026: How India is reimagining travel through digital innovation and AI

From searching for a destination on a smartphone to booking a hotel, discovering local experiences and navigating an unfamiliar city, technology has become an integral part of the modern traveller’s journey. As Artificial Intelligence (AI) begins to reshape how people plan and experience travel, India is seeking to position technology at the heart of its expanding tourism ecosystem. This transformation took centre stage on World Tourism Day 2026, observed on September 27 under the theme “Di...

September 22, 2026 5:48 PM

National Film Awards being taken to India’s best tourist destinations: Ashwini Vaishnaw

The National Film Awards will now be taken to some of the country's best tourist destinations as part of an initiative to bring together the film and tourism sectors, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Tuesday. Interacting with the media, Vaishnaw said the initiative has been inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of taking national events beyond conventional venues and connecting them with destinations across the country. The Minister said the ...

August 17, 2026 2:11 PM

Monsoon no barrier: Goa sees 61.38 lakh tourists in 7 months, July records 2.27 pc growth

Goa recorded 61.38 lakh visitors between January and July, with July alone posting a 2.27 per cent year-on-year rise, underscoring demand during the monsoon, traditionally an off-peak season for the coastal state, officials said. The focus was shifting beyond mere numbers, with efforts underway to broaden offerings and markets, enhance international connectivity, and develop tourism products designed to draw visitors throughout the year, said Rohan Khaunte, Goa Tourism Minister on Sunday. The ...

August 12, 2026 1:29 PM

Goa among top choices for monsoon ‘micro-cations’: State govt

Goa is emerging as one of the preferred destinations in India’s growing monsoon “micro-cation” trend, with domestic searches for monsoon travel rising nearly 40 per cent year-on-year, the state tourism department has said. A statement issued by the department on Tuesday said Airbnb search data indicates a shift in travel preferences, with Indians increasingly opting for spontaneous weekend getaways and short three-to-five-day holidays during the monsoon. “Goa continues to strengthen it...

July 27, 2026 11:04 PM

Tourism Ministry, Air India sign MoU to boost global promotion of India under ‘Incredible India’ campaign

The Ministry of Tourism on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Air India to jointly promote India as a preferred global tourism destination under the Incredible India brand, marking a strategic collaboration to strengthen the country's international tourism outreach. The MoU was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The event was attended by Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism; Suman Billa, Additiona...

July 21, 2026 3:08 PM

Centre sanctions 117 tourism infrastructure projects worth Rs 5,756.62 crore across India

The Centre has sanctioned 117 tourism infrastructure projects worth ₹5,756.62 crore over the last two years to strengthen tourism facilities, improve connectivity and promote niche tourism across the country, the Ministry of Tourism said on Monday. The projects have been approved under multiple flagship schemes, including Swadesh Darshan 2.0, the Challenge-Based Destination Development Scheme, PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive), Assistance to Central A...

July 19, 2026 4:01 PM

Rs 8,300-crore Rameshwar-Paradeep Coastal Highway to boost Odisha’s tourism, connectivity and economy

Odisha's coastline is set for a major infrastructure upgrade with the construction of the 160.18-km Rameshwar–Paradeep Coastal Highway, a project expected to significantly improve connectivity while giving a major boost to religious tourism, coastal tourism and economic development across the state's coastal belt. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) will develop the project at an estimated cost of ₹8,300.79 crore. The highway will pass through Khurda, Puri, Kendrapada and Ja...

June 25, 2026 2:06 PM

India on the move: How a decade of tourism-led growth is transforming the nation

Over the past decade, tourism has emerged as one of the strongest drivers of India's economic transformation, creating jobs, boosting local economies, strengthening infrastructure, and showcasing the country's rich cultural and natural heritage to the world. Backed by large-scale investments, policy reforms, improved connectivity, sustainability initiatives, and destination-focused development, India is steadily positioning itself among the world's leading tourism economies. From bustling metro...

June 18, 2026 12:07 PM

Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi: How India’s heritage renaissance is reshaping cultural preservation, tourism and global recognition

Over the past twelve years, India has witnessed an unprecedented expansion of its heritage conservation and cultural development ecosystem under the vision of "Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi" - a development model that seeks to balance economic growth with the preservation and promotion of the country's civilisational legacy. From restoring ancient temples and redeveloping pilgrimage centres to digitising manuscripts, reclaiming stolen antiquities and expanding India's footprint on UNESCO's global heri...