NEW DELHI: On the occasion of World Tourism Day 2025, the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) announced a major push to revitalize and globalize India's travel sector by formalizing strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with seven leading industry players.
The partnerships, spanning digital media, travel booking, and tour operations, aim to create a more enriching, responsive, and globally visible tourism ecosystem across India.
MoT Ropes in Digital Giants and Travel Aggregators
The Ministry signed MoUs with a diverse set of partners, leveraging both digital and traditional channels to achieve its objectives:
| Partner | Industry Role | Key Focus under MoU |
| @netflix_in (Netflix India) | Global Streaming & Digital Content | Amplify the global promotion of India's destinations through storytelling and media. |
| @makemytrip, @easemytrip, @yatradotcom | Online Travel Aggregators (OTAs) | Enhance tourist feedback mechanisms and strengthen destination visibility through digital platforms. |
| @thomascookofficial (Thomas Cook), Holiday Travel Pvt Ltd | Traditional Tour Operators | Bolster Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) to improve ground operations and service quality. |
| Atithi Foundation | Hospitality & Industry Standards | Focused on developing supportive frameworks for the tourism sector. |
Strategy: From Digital Promotion to Ground Management
The partnerships are driven by a three-pronged strategy:
-
Global Visibility: The collaboration with Netflix is a crucial step to showcase India's rich cultural, historical, and natural heritage to an international audience, effectively turning India's diverse locations into global film sets and travel spots.
-
Responsive Travel: By integrating the feedback mechanisms of major OTAs like MakeMyTrip and EaseMyTrip, the Ministry aims to develop a travel environment that is highly responsive to the needs and preferences of tourists.
-
Strengthening DMOs: The MoUs with Thomas Cook and other operators will focus on providing expertise and resources to Destination Management Organizations, which are responsible for the on-ground planning, development, and coordination of local tourism services.
These agreements lay the critical groundwork for a more technologically advanced and consumer-focused tourism sector, paving the way for a more robust and responsive travel experience for both domestic and international visitors.