Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Sunday said the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has rendered “distinguished services” to the nation, underscoring its role in shaping India’s travel and hospitality landscape over the past six decades.
Addressing the joint celebration of ITDC’s 60th anniversary and 70 years of The Ashok in New Delhi, the minister described the corporation as a multidimensional growth engine within India’s tourism ecosystem. He noted that tourism today extends beyond traditional hospitality into multiple allied sectors, reflecting the industry’s expanding economic footprint.
Shekhawat congratulated both institutions for their long-standing contribution to national tourism infrastructure and expressed confidence that public trust in ITDC’s services would continue to strengthen.
At the event, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram announced that 1,500 tribal homestay operators across the country will undergo structured training in hospitality standards, financial literacy and digital operations. The programme aims to strengthen community-based tourism models and generate sustainable livelihood opportunities through skill development initiatives.
Oram said the collaboration seeks to empower tribal communities by equipping them with market-relevant capabilities, positioning rural and indigenous tourism offerings within the broader hospitality value chain. He added that ITDC and The Ashok have played a key role in promoting India’s tourism and hospitality sectors through sustained institutional support.
During the ceremony, the Tourism Ministry and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs formalised their partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with ITDC. The ministers also inaugurated a series of initiatives aligned with tourism promotion and skill development.
Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi joined the celebrations virtually, congratulating ITDC on its diamond jubilee and acknowledging the corporation’s continued contribution to India’s tourism sector.
The anniversary event highlighted ITDC’s legacy as a public sector hospitality institution and its evolving mandate in supporting tourism-led growth, infrastructure development and community inclusion across the country.
