The All India Resort Development Association (AIRDA) advocated for a destination-led approach to tourism development during the FAITH Tourism Conclave 2026, held on July 16–17 in New Delhi under the theme “Incredible India: Invaluable Economics.”
Speaking during a panel discussion on “Building a Seamless Tourism Ecosystem for India,” Vikram Lalvani, Chairman of AIRDA, highlighted the need for an integrated tourism ecosystem that brings together policy, infrastructure, hospitality investment, consumer trust and destination development.
Referring to India’s nearly 2.95 billion domestic tourist visits in 2024, Lalvani said domestic leisure tourism should be viewed as economic infrastructure capable of driving investment, employment and consumption across regional and emerging destinations. He also stressed the need for differentiated policy support for segments such as wildlife, wellness, pilgrimage, heritage and remote tourism, citing the government’s Swadesh Darshan 2.0 initiative as a step in the right direction.
Vikram Lalvani, Chairman, AIRDA, and Managing Director & CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts, said, “India’s tourism opportunity cannot be unlocked through room supply alone. Domestic leisure must be recognised as economic infrastructure, supported by policies designed around complete destinations rather than individual assets. Vacation ownership adds a further advantage by creating predictable demand, enabling investment in emerging markets and supporting stable regional employment.”
Lalvani further emphasised the importance of destination-specific planning, improved last-mile connectivity, streamlined approvals, sustainability-linked incentives and public-private partnerships to strengthen emerging leisure markets and support regional economic development.
AIRDA represents India’s vacation ownership, resort development and mixed-use resort hospitality sector, working with government and industry stakeholders to promote policy advocacy, consumer trust and sustainable tourism growth. The association represents more than five lakh vacation ownership member households across 20 member organisations.
The FAITH Tourism Conclave brought together policymakers, tourism associations, hospitality leaders and state tourism representatives to discuss tourism’s role in driving economic growth, employment and regional development.
