Vice President CP Radhakrishnan today inaugurated the Tourism Leadership Summit-2026, organised by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) in New Delhi. Addressing the gathering, Mr Radhakrishnan said, tourism is more than an industry and it is a bridge between the cultures and driver of economic opportunities. He said, tourism is a powerful instrument for soft diplomacy and a key pillar of the India and US economic corridor. The Vice President highlighted that travelers seek experiences, authenticity, sustainability, culture, heritage, wellness and meaningful connection.

Mr Radhakrishnan said tourism is one of the largest employment generators. He stressed on investing in skills, entrepreneurship and women-led enterprises to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth of the tourism sector.

The Vice President also highlighted that India has unveiled a Tourism Vision 2029 which aims at developing at least one world-class tourist destination in every state with robust infrastructure, seamless connectivity, smart amenities and sustainable practices. Mr Radhakrishnan also emphasised on upgrading visitor amenities and interpretation centers, last mile connectivity, sustainable tourism practices, and digital storytelling around the sites to enhance visitor experience. He also underlined that tourism must align with environmental goals. He also called for integrating AI-driven solutions, such as multilingual digital guides and predictive crowd management, to ensure ease of tourism and streamline the visitor experience.