India’s cultural and heritage assets must be positioned as a key driver of the country’s tourism-led economic growth through stronger public-private partnerships, greater private investment, technology adoption and community participation, was the central message that emerged from the 15th International Heritage Tourism Conclave (IHTC) organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) at the Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad.
Held with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, under the theme ‘Khayal Virasat Ka (Care for Heritage)’, the conclave brought together senior government officials, policymakers, tourism boards, conservationists, museum leaders, hospitality professionals, academicians and technology innovators to discuss practical strategies for preserving India’s rich cultural legacy while enhancing its tourism and economic value. Telangana Tourism, Jharkhand Tourism, Madhya Pradesh Tourism, Rajasthan Tourism and Tamil Nadu Tourism supported the event.
A key highlight of the conclave was the release of the third edition of the PHDCCI-KPMG Report on Heritage Tourism, which outlines a strategic roadmap for strengthening India’s heritage tourism ecosystem through policy reforms, destination planning, digital transformation, investment facilitation, skill development and greater industry participation. The report reinforces heritage tourism’s growing role in generating employment, promoting regional development and preserving India’s cultural identity.
Addressing the gathering, Venkatramana R. Hegde, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, said that India has made significant progress in improving its global tourism competitiveness through sustained investments in tourism infrastructure and heritage conservation. He emphasised the need to further strengthen destination infrastructure, visitor experiences and ease of doing business while advocating for industry status for tourism and closer collaboration between governments and industry bodies.
Dr. Abhay Arvind Bedekar (IAS), Additional Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, highlighted that conservation and tourism must progress together to preserve both tangible and intangible heritage while creating sustainable tourism opportunities. Mr. L. Ranjeet Nayak (IFS), Director – Tourism, Government of Telangana, outlined the state’s vision of encouraging responsible private participation in heritage conservation, leveraging Artificial Intelligence to enrich visitor experiences and creating employment through skill development initiatives.
Welcoming delegates, Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, CEO & Secretary General, PHDCCI, described heritage tourism as a powerful catalyst for sustainable economic growth, employment generation and community empowerment. He noted that the next phase of heritage tourism must combine conservation with innovation by embracing digital technologies and stronger institutional partnerships. Anil Parashar, Chair – Tourism & Hospitality Committee, PHDCCI, stressed that India’s heritage tourism strategy should extend beyond monuments to include museums, crafts, cuisine, performing arts and living traditions that collectively create authentic visitor experiences.
The conclave also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between PHDCCI and Axis Bank to strengthen collaboration in the tourism and hospitality sector and facilitate greater engagement with industry stakeholders.
Four thematic sessions explored emerging opportunities across the heritage tourism landscape. Discussions focused on transforming museums into dynamic cultural institutions, promoting India’s culinary heritage as a tourism asset, strengthening public-private partnerships for heritage conservation, and leveraging Artificial Intelligence, immersive storytelling, digital twins and virtual experiences to enhance visitor engagement while preserving authentic cultural narratives.
The conclave facilitated more than 30 structured B2B meetings between tourism boards, hospitality companies, tour operators and cultural enterprises, encouraging cross-sector collaboration and new business opportunities.