Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday said tourism serves as a bridge between cultures, a driver of economic opportunity and a powerful instrument of soft diplomacy, while calling for sustainable and technology-driven growth in the sector.
Addressing the Tourism Leadership Summit 2026 in New Delhi, organised by the US-India Partnership Forum in collaboration with the Sankala Foundation, the Vice-President said the platform would help chart a strategic roadmap for strengthening the India–US economic corridor in travel and hospitality.
He noted that tourism between India and the United States reflects deep people-to-people ties, shared values, entrepreneurial energy and the vibrancy of the Indian diaspora. Emphasising that tourism is more than just an industry, he described it as a sector that fosters mutual understanding while generating significant economic benefits.
Referring to the government’s forward-looking initiatives, the Vice-President said that under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has announced Tourism Vision 2029. The initiative aims to develop at least one world-class tourist destination in every State, supported by robust infrastructure and global hospitality standards.
He said the programme focuses on building holistic tourism ecosystems, including seamless connectivity, smart amenities, safety, sustainability, digital integration and enriched visitor experiences, rather than mere beautification projects.
Highlighting India’s civilisational heritage, diverse landscapes and demographic dividend, the Vice-President said the country is well-positioned to redefine tourism globally. He called for focused efforts to preserve and develop India’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites with enhanced visitor amenities, interpretation centres, last-mile connectivity, sustainable practices and digital storytelling.
Stressing the importance of environmental responsibility, he said tourism growth must align with climate goals through climate-conscious infrastructure, community-led tourism models and the preservation of natural and cultural heritage.
The Vice-President also underscored the need to develop new-age tourism destinations that showcase India’s achievements in space exploration, digital public infrastructure, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. He advocated the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence to enhance the tourism experience.
Describing tourism as one of the largest generators of employment, he called for increased investment in skill development, entrepreneurship and women-led enterprises to ensure inclusive and community-driven growth.
Concluding his address, the Vice-President expressed hope that the Summit would mark a new chapter in India–US cooperation built on sustainability, innovation, inclusivity and shared prosperity.
