Reaffirming its commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism, the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) launched the first phase of its nationwide “Swachh Paryatan Abhiyaan – Cleanliness Awareness Drive” at the iconic Qutub Minar in New Delhi on May 30, 2026.
The initiative brought together IATO members, tourism professionals, students, local stakeholders, and tourism enthusiasts with a shared objective of creating awareness about maintaining cleanliness at monuments and tourist destinations, promoting civic responsibility, encouraging respectful behaviour towards visitors, and preserving India’s rich cultural and historical heritage.
Organised under the theme “Respect Heritage – Don’t Litter – Preserve Our Legacy,” the campaign highlighted the importance of safeguarding India’s cultural assets through collective action and responsible visitor conduct. Participants actively engaged in awareness activities and took a pledge to support cleanliness initiatives and promote environmentally responsible tourism practices.
Speaking on the occasion, Ravi Gosain, President, IATO, said, “India’s heritage monuments are not only symbols of our glorious past but also major attractions for international and domestic tourists. Clean and well-maintained destinations significantly enhance visitor experiences and strengthen India’s image as a world-class tourism destination. Through the Swachh Paryatan Abhiyaan, IATO seeks to inspire every stakeholder and traveller to take responsibility for preserving our heritage for future generations.”
He further emphasised that cleanliness, sustainability, and responsible tourism are critical pillars for achieving India’s tourism growth objectives and enhancing the country’s competitiveness in the global tourism marketplace and added that the campaign will be implemented on a pan-India basis across multiple cities, engaging local communities and tourism stakeholders in creating cleaner and more welcoming destinations.
Sunil Mishra, Honorary Secretary, IATO, reiterated the association’s commitment to supporting the Government of India’s vision of Swachh Bharat, sustainable tourism development, and effective destination management through regular awareness campaigns and stakeholder participation nationwide.
IATO believes that preserving heritage sites and maintaining clean tourist destinations are essential for enhancing visitor satisfaction, strengthening destination branding, and ensuring long-term tourism growth. Through the Swachh Paryatan Abhiyaan, the association aims to foster a culture of responsibility and pride among travellers and tourism stakeholders alike, contributing to a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable tourism ecosystem across India.