The worldwide travel and tourist business is now on the mend after a two-year slump triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time when the industry is investigating new ways to improve the traveler experience, TV9 Network and Red Hat Communications teamed to recognize changemakers and lay out a strategy for maximizing India’s tremendous tourism potential.

Tourism industry professionals gathered in the national capital for a day-long event to debate the industry’s future through the perspective of sustainable development.

The day began with the TV9 Network Travel and Tourism Summit, which was separated into segments to cover all pertinent concerns. The themes centered on recognizing the sector’s difficulties and possibilities in travel and tourism.

Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) president Jyoti Mayal welcomed the gathering of industry titans, saying, “The travel industry has witnessed a major transformation over the last two years, especially during the pandemic, which has been a huge learning experience for the industry at large.” This shift is happening faster than ever before. A few ancillary sectors have evolved in recent years to contribute to the evolution, skill development, and growth of the travel industry. The Summit’s goal was to “explore new developments and comprehend their positive impact on the industry.”

Raktim Das, Chief Growth Officer, of TV9 Network said, “The travel industry, which was disrupted by the COVID pandemic, is finally on the rebound. The travel industry has massive potential and is bound to grow at an unprecedented pace in the upcoming years. The Summit was an effort to appreciate the industry leaders’ commendable progress and explore the upcoming trends for leveraging the India tourism story.”

The Summit began with remarks from the two honorees, Harin Fernando, Minister of Tourism and Lands, Government of Sri Lanka, and Ajay Bhatt, Union Minister of State for Tourism and Defence. Following this, there were panel discussions on ‘Tourism in Mission Mode,’ ‘Techourism: Feasible or Fashionable?,’ and ‘G20 Gains for Incredible India!’

The evening saw the recognition of outstanding performers chosen by a distinguished jury. The Iconic Awards’ fifth edition honored the finest and brightest in the travel and tourism sector.

Arvind Singh, Secretary, of the Union Ministry of Tourism, took the stage before the award ceremony and stated that the travel industry is likely to increase multi-fold in the future years. “Events like these can focus attention on strategies and ways to improve the average spends of visitors to India, as well as promote wedding and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism in the country, which bodes well for the future growth of the travel industry.”

Harin Fernando, Minister of Tourism and Lands, Government of Sri Lanka discussed initiatives taken by the Sri Lankan Government to improve tourism in the island country. He added, “Sri Lanka is a country that has a combination of exciting places for tourists to see along with participation in local cultural activities which have been attracting millennials and Gen Z from across the globe who desire to visit an ‘undiscovered’ destination.”

The day ended with the Iconic Awards presented by the industry leaders to the winners.

Award Winners:
Customer delight international airlines- Emirates Airlines
Customer delight domestic airlines- Indigo
Luxury Indian hotels- Taj Hotels
Business Hotel India- Hyatt Regency Delhi
Emerging Sustainable Airline Domestic- Akasa Air
Technology award- ITQ Travel port
Travel platform B2B – Nexus DMC
Most trusted travel Insurance Provider – ASEGO
Missions and Visa facilitation- VFS
Effective Tourism Representation- Think Strawberry