Delivering a powerful global perspective at SATTE 2026, Anita Mendiratta, Special Advisor to the Secretary-General of UN Tourism, said India stands among the best-positioned destinations worldwide to lead the next era of global travel — driven by values, community integration, and aviation expansion.
Reflecting on the transformation of tourism over the past five years, Mendiratta noted that in February 2021 the world had come to a standstill. The pandemic reshaped not only how people travel, but why they travel. Tourism, she said, evolved from being about “where and what” to being about connection, meaning, and shared humanity.
“The value of tourism has evolved into the values of tourism,” she emphasized, adding that India’s civilizational depth, community participation, and emotional connectivity make it uniquely aligned with this global shift.
Travellers Want Purpose, Not Just Places
Backing her remarks with trends, she highlighted that:
82% of younger travellers prefer flexible itineraries to enable deeper local connections.
There has been a 125% increase in demand for traditional and community-based accommodations.
Travellers increasingly demand transparency on how their spending directly benefits local communities.
Modern travellers, she stressed, no longer want transactional tourism — they want impact-driven travel. “Tell me how I am helping you as a community member,” she said, underlining that this demand for direct engagement is now fundamental, not optional.
According to her, few destinations integrate local communities into the tourism experience as organically as India.
Aviation: India’s Greatest Tourism Multiplier
Mendiratta identified aviation as one of tourism’s strongest enablers in India’s growth story. She described India’s aviation expansion as “remarkable,” citing:
Over 1,500 new aircraft orders across domestic, regional, and international sectors
The success of the UDAN Scheme, which has carried more than 15.6 million passengers on previously unserved routes
Rapid airport infrastructure expansion and route development nationwide
She pointed specifically to the transformation of Air India under the Tata Group, noting its fleet modernization plan of 500 new aircraft and expanding global network as a symbol of renewed national pride — “bringing back the pride of the Maharaja.”
Similarly, she praised IndiGo for aggressively expanding its fleet and international footprint, calling both airlines examples of how aviation is expanding India’s tourism identity and accessibility globally.
A Collective Call to Action
Aligning with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to double tourism’s contribution to national GDP, Mendiratta said the opportunity ahead requires unified action from public and private stakeholders alike.
Addressing industry leaders present at the event, she described the tourism ecosystem as bound by a simple promise to global travellers: India will first take care of its own people and communities — and through that strength, offer authentic, responsible hospitality to the world.
Concluding her address, she wished the industry “love, success, and safe travels,” urging stakeholders to move forward together in shaping the future of global tourism — with India at its core.
