The Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI) marked a significant milestone in its journey by celebrating 29 remarkable years of promoting domestic tourism with a grand Founders Day event held in the capital. The celebration brought together founding members, past presidents, armed forces dignitaries, tourism industry veterans, and media representatives—making it a powerful gathering of vision, legacy, and renewed purpose.

A Salute to the Pillars of Progress
The event began with a heartfelt tribute to ADTOI’s founders and past presidents, acknowledging their pivotal role in shaping the organisation’s inclusive and collaborative legacy. With a presence across 15 chapters in India, ADTOI continues to uphold its mission of promoting sustainable and responsible domestic tourism.

Ashwani Lohani Conferred with AKR Award
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the ADTOI Knowledge & Research (AKR) Award to Mr. Ashwani Lohani, former CMD of Air India and a stalwart in Indian tourism, railways, and heritage preservation. Instituted in memory of Anil K. Rajput, the award honours lifetime contributions to the tourism sector.

In his address, Mr. Lohani outlined five key pillars for enhancing domestic tourism: Suvidha (facilitation), Suchna (information), Sanrachana (infrastructure), Suraksha (safety), and Sahyog (cooperation). He emphasised the importance of signage, tourist police, basic infrastructure, and collaboration between government and industry.

“Tourism is part of human nature. Our people must explore their surroundings first—be it Bhimbetka, Maheshwar, or Bateshwar. Domestic tourism is vast, but it must also be responsible and planned,” he said.
He also strongly advocated for including the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya in Delhi on all national tourism itineraries.

Battlefield Tourism in Focus: Honouring Stories of Valour
Retired Squadron Leader Rana T.S. Chhina received recognition for championing Battlefield Tourism and leading the Indian Army’s initiative, “Bharat Raksha Bhoomi Darshan.” Representing the Centre for Military History and Conflict Analysis, he urged the industry to join hands in creating narratives that preserve India’s military legacy.

“Battlefield tourism tells stories of valour and sacrifice. It educates, inspires, and supports local economies—just as it does in Northern France and Flanders. India must embrace this potential,” he noted.
He announced plans to work closely with ADTOI to develop curated battlefield trails across India.
A Wake-Up Call from the Industry: Himmat Anand’s Address

In a candid keynote, industry veteran Mr. Himmat Anand called upon associations to rethink their digital strategy, urging members to embrace social media visibility and modern distribution models.
“Your biggest competition today isn’t other tour operators—it’s influencers. The industry must adapt, and also take the lead in addressing over-tourism and enforcing carrying capacity regulations,” he said.
Closing on a High Note: Emotions and Camaraderie

Delivering the vote of thanks, Mr. Rajat Sawhney, Senior Vice President of ADTOI, reflected emotionally on his 25+ year journey with the association: “This association has grown stronger because of the commitment of our founders, members, dignitaries, and the media. Today was more than a celebration—it was a reaffirmation of our shared purpose,” he said.

The evening concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony, a group photograph, and an atmosphere of heartfelt camaraderie, ushering in ADTOI’s 30th year with renewed optimism.
As ADTOI steps into a new decade, it remains steadfast in its mission—to discover, develop, and promote India’s untapped domestic tourism potential with integrity, innovation, and unity.

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