Sustainable tourism amid climate change vital: Experts

The 16th Indian Tourism and Hospitality Congress (ITHC) International Conference-2025 began on a thoughtful note yesterday, bringing together leading scholars and experts to chart a collective path towards sustainable tourism and a wellness-oriented future. The theme of the conference being organised by the Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP) is “Sustainable Tourism and Wellness: A Path to a Greener Future”. It reflectes urgent global concerns around climate change and responsible travel.

Senior ITHC member Sandeep Kulshrestha inaugurated the event and emphasised the relevance of the theme saying it was significant not only for India but also for the global tourism landscape. ITHC treasurer Prashant Gautam highlighted the organisation’s growing national footprint, with more than 130 institutional members and over 700 individual members contributing to a progressive shift in tourism education and research.

International perspectives enriched the session, as Blurton Hessani from the University of Sunderland stressed the importance of shared best practices in sustainability. He praised India’s hospitality ecosystem and underscored the value of traditional knowledge exchange, especially after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the CUHP and his institution.

Environmental concerns dominated discussions. Sunil Kabia from Bundelkhand University described tourism as a “double-edged sword” that offered livelihoods while aggravating ecological stress in fragile regions like the Himalayas. He urged students and professionals to champion eco-friendly travel and responsible innovation.

Dinesh Kumar, Vice-Chancellor of Vishwakarma Skill University, highlighted India’s deep-rooted environmental ethos, citing spiritual practices like ‘’Govardhan Parikrama’’ as an example of harmonious coexistence between tourism and nature.

Dharamsala MLA Sudhir Sharma stressed the need for eco-sensitive infrastructure while prof Satprakash Bansal, Vice-Chancellor of the CUHP and ITHC Chairman, called for developing off-beat destinations to ease pressure on overcrowded tourist hubs. He urged researchers to align their work with the aspirations of a developed India by 2047.