FHRAI hosts Tourism Sustainability Summit 2025 to promote green practices

Industry leaders push for green tourism initiatives

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), hosted Tourism Sustainability Summit 2025 in Delhi, bringing industry leaders together to promote sustainable tourism.

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) hosted the second edition of the Tourism Sustainability Summit 2025 in collaboration with the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI). The summit, which took place on Wednesday in Delhi served as a crucial platform to advance sustainable tourism practices in India.

The event began with a welcome address by K Syama Raju, President of FHRAI, followed by a theme address by Manjeev Singh Puri, Chair of the India-Nepal Centre at PHDCCI and a former Ambassador of India. Discussions at the summit focused on responsible tourism, industry growth, and environmental sustainability.

Addressing the gathering, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat emphasised the tourism sector’s potential to drive India’s economic expansion. He stated that tourism could emerge as the largest contributor to the country’s GDP in the coming years.

Shekhawat also raised concerns about the impact of climate change on the tourism sector. He highlighted the issue of receding glaciers and other environmental challenges, calling for urgent action and industry-wide responsibility in integrating sustainable tourism practices into future development plans.

Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Suman Billa, highlighted the role of technological innovation in tourism, particularly the impact of artificial intelligence. He noted that with an increasing number of tourists relying on app-based platforms, AI offers an opportunity to enhance tourism experiences. He also spoke about India’s aspiration to become the world’s third-largest tourism destination by 2047.

“India must adopt the best global practices while shaping its own path. The world is growing, but India is growing at an even faster pace. The real challenge is not just about growing bigger, but about growing better and ensuring that growth is sustainable. If the tourism sector is left unmanaged, it risks cultural dilution. Tourism should be a force that empowers and preserves our cultural heritage and our focus must be on making tourism climate-resilient and ensuring it drives positive change,” Billa told Media India Group on sidelines of the event.

Billa emphasised that sustainability must be at the core of tourism development, not just for environmental reasons but also for cultural preservation. He stressed that responsible tourism practices are essential to protect India’s diverse heritage and ensure that tourism contributes positively to local traditions.

He stressed the need to use local materials and incorporate products made by local communities. He stated that while approving tourism projects, sustainability should be a key consideration ensuring job creation, securing livelihoods, and actively involving communities in the sector’s growth. He noted that too often, local communities are left as bystanders, whereas they should be recognised as stakeholders. He stressed the importance of integrating them into the industry and encouraged the promotion of homestays with local communities to strengthen the tourism sector.

Madhya Pradesh’s tourism initiatives were also highlighted at the event. Sheo Shankar Shukla, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Madhya Pradesh, showcased the state’s diverse tourism offerings, including UNESCO-approved sites, national parks, and spiritual destinations such as Ujjain and Omkareshwar. He emphasised the state’s focus on rural and tribal tourism, with homestay options and cruise tourism aimed at diversifying tourist footfalls.

“Sustainability is at the core of our tourism policies. We are incentivising green energy initiatives, promoting eco-friendly resorts, and encouraging responsible tourism practices. Our focus is on creating a balance where tourism thrives while conserving Madhya Pradesh’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage Madhya Pradesh is also embracing green tourism by integrating sustainability into every aspect from homestays to national parks. We are incentivising green cruises, supporting eco-friendly infrastructure, and working closely with local communities to ensure responsible tourism benefits both the environment and the people,” Shukla told Media India Group.

A key highlight of the event was an address by an international sustainability expert, Glen Mandziuk, CEO, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, an organisation of the hospitality industry based in the United Kingdom, who presented global best practices in sustainable hospitality. He emphasised the importance of integrating eco-friendly solutions into business operations and highlighted the increasing investments in sustainability. He noted that global value chains, including leading technology companies, are supporting the growth of sustainable tourism. He also suggested that general managers in the hospitality sector be trained in sustainable development practices.

“Sustainability is about future-proofing the hospitality industry addressing risks, fostering innovation, and adapting to change. It is not just an ethical choice but a business strategy that can drive growth. Regulators expect it, and so do investors 70 pc of major investors look for responsible business practices before committing funds. Communities where we operate expect hotels to embrace sustainability, and customers are demanding it more than ever. If we want to expand, particularly in business travel and underserved segments like accessible travel, there is a trillion-dollar opportunity waiting. The industry has yet to create a truly transparent and inclusive travel experience for people with disabilities. Beyond that, employees of the future want to work for companies with a greater purpose, and sustainability provides the perfect framework to achieve that,” Mandziuk told Media India Group.

He emphasised the importance of customers making informed choices when selecting hotels, considering their sustainability initiatives and interventions.

“Customers should make informed choices when choosing hotels by looking at their sustainability efforts. When staying at a property, they can observe best practices like managing food waste, using energy efficiently, and conserving water and apply them in their own lives. Hospitality can be a beacon, showing how sustainability can be done right and sustainability is no longer optional it is an essential part of ensuring long-term profitability and relevance in the hospitality industry,” Mandziuk added.

Additionally, the summit witnessed the launch of the PHDCCI-FHRAI Knowledge Report, a comprehensive study outlining recommendations for sustainable tourism practices, green investments, and responsible policy frameworks. The report aims to guide industry leaders and policymakers in implementing long-term strategies that balance economic growth with environmental conservation.

The summit featured four panel discussions, each addressing different aspects of sustainable tourism. The first panel, Reimagining Tourism: Towards a Regenerative and Sustainable Future, explored the shift from sustainable to regenerative tourism, focusing on eco-tourism, biodiversity conservation, and community engagement. The session included insights from policymakers, industry leaders and sustainability experts.

The discussions underscored the need for policy-driven initiatives and collaborative efforts between the government and industry stakeholders to ensure tourism growth aligns with environmental responsibility. Participants highlighted strategies for mitigating climate-related challenges while maintaining the sector’s expansion.

The summit concluded with a collective call to action, reinforcing the need for sustainable tourism models that support both economic development and ecological conservation.