Renewal of the MoU, revival of the National Tourism Sustainable Board, and a new Responsible Tourism best practices initiative on the agenda.
An RTSOI delegation comprising Mr. Rakesh Mathur (Honorary President), Mr. Mandip Singh Soin (Founder President), Ms. Akanksha Garg (President Elect), Mr. Sujit Banerjee (Honorary Member), Mr. Toby Sinclaire (Founding Member), Mr. Ronjon Lahiri (Director), and Mr. Sanjay Ahirwal (Manager) met Mr. Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism (MoT), on 24 August 2026.
The Secretary was briefed on RTSOI’s journey, its activities to date, and its vision for future initiatives. Among the key points raised, it was noted that the MoU between the MoT and RTSOI had to be renewed, and the delegation also emphasised that the National Tourism Sustainable Board — with the Secretary Tourism as Chairperson and RTSOI as a prominent stakeholder — should be revived.
Follow-up meeting, 21st September 2026: Chaired by Mr. Harikishore S, Joint Secretary (Tourism), the Ministry requested RTSOI to advance the Responsible Traveller campaign, with social media advocacy support from the Ministry, and to conduct workshops and carrying-capacity studies.
THE FOLLOW UP MEETING
Subsequently, the Ministry of Tourism held a further meeting on 21st September 2026, chaired by Mr. Harikishore S, Joint Secretary (Tourism), together with other Tourism officials, and attended by RTSOI officials Mr. Mandip Singh Soin (Founder President), Ms. Akanksha Garg (President Elect), Mr. Ronjon Lahiri (Director) and Mr. Sanjay Ahirwal (Manager). The discussion centred on the renewal of the MoU between RTSOI and the MoT. The Joint Secretary (Tourism) also requested RTSOI to take the Responsible Traveller campaign forward, with the Ministry offering to support its advocacy through social media. In addition, the Ministry expressed its wish for RTSOI to conduct workshops and carrying capacity studies, which it would actively support.
LOOKING AHEAD
Most importantly, the Joint Secretary (Tourism) asked RTSOI to prepare a booklet of 100 Responsible Tourism best practices spanning hotels, lodges, travel companies, tour operators and more. The booklet would be compiled by RTSOI and published by the Ministry of Tourism — marking a significant step forward in institutionalising responsible tourism practices across the industry.