National Digital Tourism Stack and Dekho Apna Desh 2.0 campaign launched on World Tourism Day 2026

On the occasion of World Tourism Day 2026, the Union Minister launched the National Digital Tourism Stack and the National Mission for Alternative Destinations ­— ­­­­Dekho Apna Desh Campaign 2.0.

National Digital Tourism Stack:
A shared digital infrastructure to make India’s tourism offerings more discoverable, accessible, and trustworthy. Features include verified identities, supplier credentials, payments, ratings, and grievance redressal. Pilot planned for January 2027.

National Mission for Alternative Destinations – Dekho Apna Desh 2.0:
A campaign to redistribute tourism demand by promoting lesser-known destinations (hill stations, coastal areas, heritage towns, pilgrimage sites).

MoUs Signed
The Ministry of Tourism exchanged five MoUs with:
- Airbnb India – homestay development and host skilling.
- FlixBus India – responsible travel and intercity mobility.
- Glance (InMobi Group) – digital tourism content and visitor messaging.
- Eicher Group Foundation – community-led sustainable tourism in the Himalayas.
- MakeMyTrip – promotion of unexplored villages and authentic local shopping.

Key Messages
- Union Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: Tourism must go beyond popular destinations, creating opportunities for local communities, women, and youth, while ensuring inclusivity and sustainability.
- Secretary Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar: AI and digital platforms can make tourism more accessible, responsive, and personalised.
- Dr. Vivek Raghavan (Sarvam AI): AI can transform every stage of the tourism journey, enabling seamless and customised travel experiences.

Other Initiatives
- Launch of Swachhta TV Campaign 2026, featuring the Prime Minister’s call to keep pilgrimage and heritage sites clean.
- Release of India Tourism Statistics 2026.

This event signals India’s push to combine digital innovation with sustainable tourism growth, ensuring benefits reach beyond the usual hotspots.