ICONIC 2025 Tourism Summit Showcases India’s Tourism Leadership

The ICONIC Tourism Summit & Awards 2025, organised by Redhat Communications in collaboration with TV9 Network, brought together distinguished policymakers, diplomats, industry leaders, innovators, and cultural ambassadors at ITC Maurya, New Delhi. The full-day event, which combined insightful panel discussions with an awards ceremony to be an influential tourism forum.

The morning conclave, themed “Innovation, Transformation, and Impact,” hosted engaging sessions such as “Influencing Itineraries: The Content Engine for Tourism Today,” “Dekho Apna Desh,” and “Creating AIconic Tourism Experiences.” Eminent voices included Niharika Rai, IAS (Secretary & Commissioner Tourism, Government of Delhi), Rajesh Magow (Co-Founder & Group CEO, MakeMyTrip), Mugdha Sinha (MD, ITDC), Shriji Huzur Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar (King of Udaipur), Sandeep Dwivedi (MD – India & Subcontinent, Amadeus), Anshul Sethi (Head of Sales – India, IndiGo), and Yummi Talwar (CEO – South Asia, VFS Global).

Mugdha Sinha underlined the rise of wellness and experiential travel, “Tourism today is not just about destinations, but about creating meaningful journeys that enrich communities and cultures.”

Niharika Rai called for greater visibility of Delhi’s diverse offerings, “Delhi is much more than its monuments, from food and MICE tourism to golf and wellness, the city is a hub that deserves wider recognition.”

Adding the aviation perspective, Anshul Sethi noted, “Every new direct flight creates a destination. Accessibility fuels aspiration, and that’s what drives Indian travellers to explore new global routes.”

The evening’s ICONIC Awards Ceremony was graced by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture, who praised the industry’s efforts. “Tourism is one of the strongest pillars of India’s growth story, and forums like ICONIC 2025 are vital in shaping its future.”

In a high-powered panel, Amitabh Kant (Former CEO of NITI Aayog & G20 Sherpa), Jyotsna Suri (Chairman & MD, Lalit Hospitality Group), Suman Billa, IAS (Additional Secretary & DG, Ministry of Tourism), Manoj Adlakha (Founder & CEO, RedBeryl Lifestyle Services), Ishika Taneja (Spiritual Leader & Miss World Tourism India 2018), and Sandeep Marwah (Chancellor, AAFT) discussed sustainability, collaboration, and India’s role in global tourism.

The summit also witnessed the presence of ambassadors and dignitaries from Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Greece, Serbia, Seychelles, Malta, and other nations, underscoring its international significance.

The Leaders Awards were presented by an eminent jury including Vinod Kumar Duggal (Former Governor of Manipur & Mizoram), Shazia Ilmi (National Spokesperson, BJP), Rajiv Talwar (Former CEO & Chairman, DLF), Parineeta Sethi (Chief Editor, Global Spa & Peaklife), Nakul Anand (Former Executive Director, ITC Limited), and Ashwani Lohani (Former Chairman, Railway Board & Air India) among others.

Jyoti Mayal, CEO of Redhat Communications & Chairperson, THSC, summed up the event, “ICONIC 2025 is a collective movement bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers to shape the future of tourism.”

With visionary discussions, global participation, and recognition of excellence, ICONIC 2025 reinforced India’s standing as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and leadership in tourism.