Launching the first part of its statewide “Swachh Paryatan Abhiyaan – Cleanliness Awareness Drive” at the landmark Qutub Minar in New Delhi on May 30, 2026, the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism.

In order to promote civic responsibility, encourage courteous behaviour towards tourists, preserve India’s rich cultural values and heritage, and raise awareness about the importance of keeping monuments and tourist destinations clean, the initiative brought together IATO members, students, local stakeholders, and tourism enthusiasts.

The campaign emphasised the significance of collaborative effort and appropriate tourist behaviour in protecting India’s cultural and historical treasures. Those who took part in the events made a commitment to promote ecologically responsible tourism practices and maintain clean tourist sites by their participation in the awareness-raising activities.

The President of the Indian Association of Tourist Organisations (IATO), Ravi Gosain, made the following remarks during his address: “India’s heritage monuments are not only symbols of our glorious past but also major attractions for international and domestic tourists.” Destinations that are clean and well-maintained greatly improve the experiences of visitors and promote India’s reputation as a top-notch tourist destination. Every stakeholder and traveller can be inspired to take responsibility for preserving our history for future generations through the Swachh Paryatan Abhiyaan, which is run by the IATO.

The importance of cleanliness, sustainability, and responsible tourism, as highlighted by Gosain, will play a pivotal role in helping India achieve its tourism growth goals and improve its competitiveness in the global marketplace. This campaign will be implemented across various cities in India. The campaign was organized under the theme: “Respect Heritage – Don’t Litter – Preserve Our Legacy”.

Through nationwide awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagement, the International Association of Tourist Organisations (IATO) will continue to back the Indian government’s Swachh Bharat initiative, promote sustainable tourism development, and ensure effective destination management, according to Sunil Mishra, Secretary of the IATO.

Improved visitor happiness, greater destination branding, and sustainable tourism growth can be achieved, according to the Association, by maintaining heritage monuments and ensuring tourist places are clean.