India must build tourism through partnerships, says Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat says the next chapter of Indian tourism must focus on horizontal partnerships.
Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on October 11, 2026, that India's next leap in tourism must be built on partnerships rather than just destinations. Speaking in New Delhi, he stated that the new architecture of tourism must be horizontal, involving government, industry, technology companies, creators, investors, States, local bodies, and communities as co-creators.
According to the Tripura Star News, Shekhawat noted that while India has many destinations, it has occasionally lacked the institutional imagination to make them discoverable. He said a destination is an ecosystem involving roads, hospitality, technology, and community participation.
The Minister highlighted that the Ministry of Tourism has entered into eleven strategic MoUs to connect capabilities in technology, mobility, hospitality, and digital outreach. He mentioned a collaboration with Netflix to bring India's culture and wildlife to international audiences.
Shekhawat also cited Project Varanasi Priceless, developed with Mastercard, which allows travellers to book experiences such as Banarasi weaving and heritage stays. He noted that partnerships with Alliance Air, Air India, and IndiGo extend promotion into the passenger ecosystem.
The Minister stated that collaborations with Google India aim to create an evidence-led tourism policy by understanding global travel demand. He added that partnerships with Airbnb, Soul of India, and MakeMyTrip are attempting to democratise opportunities for homestay hosts and lesser-known destinations.