As India’s tourism industry continues to evolve post-pandemic, domestic tourism has emerged as its strongest pillar. Ved Khanna, President, Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), shares his insights on the expansion of domestic travel, ADTOI’s efforts to promote responsible and community-based tourism, and his priorities for making “Dekho Apna Desh” a true national movement.
Priyanka Saxena Ray
Domestic Tourism – The backbone of India’s revival
Domestic tourism has truly emerged as the backbone of India’s tourism revival. With rapid improvements in road, rail, and air connectivity, alongside government initiatives such as UDAN and the focus on last-mile access, India is now far more travel-ready than before. As new airports, highways, and high-speed rail corridors come up, smaller towns and rural destinations are becoming accessible to travellers like never before.
Equally, niche segments—wellness, adventure, heritage, eco, and spiritual tourism—are creating diverse opportunities for travellers to experience India beyond the traditional circuits.
Encouraging sustainable and community-based tourism
At ADTOI, we have been continuously guiding and motivating our members to go beyond the popular destinations and bring India’s unexplored gems to the forefront. Through our state chapters, regular familiarization trips, and collaborations with various tourism boards, we ensure that our members experience first-hand the potential of lesser-known destinations.
We are also emphasizing sustainable and community-based tourism—encouraging members to design itineraries that benefit local communities, promote homestays, conserve heritage, and reduce the carbon footprint. Our upcoming initiatives focus on capacity building, training, and partnerships with state governments to position responsible tourism as a key pillar of domestic travel.
Priorities for 2026
Our top three priorities for 2026 are clear and purpose-driven:
- Empowering Tour Operators: Strengthen ADTOI’s support ecosystem by providing digital training, marketing tools, and stronger industry linkages to help domestic operators reach a wider audience.
- Expanding Regional Connectivity: Work closely with the Ministry of Tourism and state governments to improve access and develop new circuits under “Dekho Apna Desh,” ensuring equitable growth across all regions.
- Promoting Responsible Tourism: Make sustainability central to every itinerary—encouraging waste-free travel, community participation, and heritage preservation—so that “Dekho Apna Desh” becomes not just a campaign, but a collective national movement that instils pride in exploring India responsibly.
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