Align GDP growth with green finance

Tourism Sustainability Summit 2025 brought together global hospitality leaders and stakeholders in New Delhi recently, reinforcing sustainability in tourism as a key driver for long-term economic growth. Industry experts explored strategies to balance economic growth with green finance, emphasising on sustainable infra and community-driven tourism initiatives.

Lipla Negi

A collaborative effort by FHRAI, PHDCCI and HRANI, the second edition of the Tourism Sustainability Summit was supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, with Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat joining as partner states. The event featured insightful panel discussions on four themes comprising ‘Reimagining Sustainability’, ‘Leveraging Technology for Greener Travel’, ‘Sustainable Tourism as a Policy Imperative’ and ‘Investing in Sustainability’.

Industry experts and thought leaders explored innovative strategies to balance economic growth with green finance, environmental stewardship and technological innovation, emphasising sustainable infrastructure and community-driven tourism initiatives. The summit also marked the inauguration of a Knowledge Report by PHDCCI and FHRAI, further strengthening the discourse on responsible and resilient tourism.

Collective responsibility

Urging the industry to act now, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism, Government of India, said, “The challenge of climate is now knocking on our doors. If timely action had been taken, the situation could have been better.” Echoing similar sentiments, Suman Billa (IAS), Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, emphasised the need to design tourism growth in a mindful manner. “Tourism is a rapidly growing sector, and the industry is at the beginning of a long-term growth cycle for tourism and hospitality,” he said.

K Syama Raju, President, FHRAI; Hemant Jain, President, PHDCCI; Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Government of Madhya Pradesh and Managing Director, MPTB; Glenn Mandziuk, CEO, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (UK); Pradeep Shetty, Vice President, FHRAI and Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President of HRANI & Hotel and Restaurant Association of Uttar Pradesh and Vice President, FHRAI, also addressed the summit.