Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh
Shekhawat Highlights ITDC as a Multi-Dimensional Growth Engine
Joint Celebration of 60 Years of ITDC and 70 Years of The Ashok Hotel Celebrates a “New
Tech-Enabled Era of Experience” Redefining Guest Engagement and Service Standards
New Delhi. 14th February 2026: The Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra
Singh Shekhawat, last night inaugurated a series of multi-dimensional, high-impact initiatives
at the Convention Centre of The Ashok, New Delhi, marking the joint celebration of 60 years of
India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) and 70 years of The Ashok Hotel.
Describing ITDC as a “multi-dimensional growth engine for India’s tourism and hospitality
ecosystem,” the Minister underscored the organisation’s re-imagination strategy for the digital
and metaverse age, aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
The landmark celebration witnessed the launch of a comprehensive bouquet of physical, digital,
intellectual, and institutional initiatives aimed at catalysing growth across the tourism and
hospitality sector. These initiatives reflect the Union Budget 2026 emphasis on emerging
technologies, including Gen AI, immersive experiences, and smart digital infrastructure for
commercial excellence.
Established in 1966, ITDC is a Schedule ‘B’ Mini-Ratna CPSE under the Ministry of Tourism,
Government of India. Over six decades, it has played a pioneering role in shaping India’s
tourism infrastructure, hospitality standards, and international outreach. As ITDC celebrates its
Shashthipoorti (60 years), it continues to strengthen market leadership through modernisation,
institutional reforms, and technology-enabled transformation.
Commissioned in 1956, The Ashok, New Delhi, ITDC’s flagship property and India’s only
PSU-managed five-star luxury hotel, marks 70 years of distinguished service to the Nation.
Along with its sister property, Hotel Samrat, it continues to redefine excellence in hospitality.
The Ashok is a recipient of the National Tourism Award for Best Facilities for Differently-Abled
Persons and Best Hotel-Based Meeting Venue, and remains central to India’s diplomatic
engagements, MICE tourism, and luxury hospitality landscape.
In collaboration with the Department of Posts, a customised commemorative “My Stamp”
postage stamp sheet was released to honour The Ashok’s 70-year legacy. These officially valid
stamps will serve as collectables, branding tools, and heritage souvenirs.
ITDC unveiled a specially curated illustrated comic book, “A Day at the Hotel,” in partnership
with Amar Chitra Katha, introducing school and college students—especially from Tier 2, Tier
3, and rural India — to career opportunities in hospitality. The initiative aligns with the Budget
2026–27 announcement regarding the proposed National Institute of Hospitality Management.
A stylised commemorative postcard embedded with a QR code was launched, enabling users to
access a film on The Ashok and relive the celebration digitally, blending memorabilia with
immersive technology. A promotional film celebrating The Ashok’s expansive greens,
micro-climate, architectural grandeur, and modern indulgence was also unveiled for year-round
global promotions.
A heritage coffee-table publication, The Ashok Recipe Book Inspired by “Gyan Bharatam”,
documenting state banquet menus served at Hyderabad House since 1975, was released. The
book highlights gastronomy as an instrument of soft power and cultural diplomacy.
The refurbished swimming pool facilities at Hotel Samrat, including upgraded adult and
children’s pools with enhanced safety and premium amenities, were inaugurated. Seasonal
memberships are scheduled to open in mid-March.
To strengthen India’s “Wed in India” and “Meet in India” segments, The Ashok expanded its
outdoor event infrastructure with renovated Aishwarya Gardens and the launch of Airawat
Outdoors, a newly developed multi-purpose venue for exhibitions, fairs, conferences, and
weddings.
Standardised ITDC-branded prepaid gift vouchers for rooms, dining, and gifting solutions were
introduced for The Ashok, Hotel Samrat, and Kalinga Ashok properties, enhancing guest
engagement and structured revenue streams.
A fully modernised ITDC Procurement of Goods & Services Manual 2026 was released, aligned
with revised General Financial Rules, CVC circulars, the GeM platform, and Department of
Expenditure guidelines. Replacing the 1997 manual, it strengthens transparency, compliance,
and efficiency. ITDC also launched the Sound & Light Shows Manual 2026, making it the only
government organisation with a structured operational framework for heritage Sound & Light
Shows, integrating modern projection mapping, QCBS evaluation mechanisms, and
standardised execution processes.
A unified ITDC Template for General Clauses 2026 was introduced to streamline tendering,
agreements, and licensing processes across ITDC divisions, promoting speed, scale, and
governance uniformity.
The Ashok Institute of Hospitality & Tourism Management was repositioned as the Institute of
Hotel Management (IHM) Ashok, aligning with the national IHM framework and strengthening
its identity as a Centre of Excellence.
Teasers were launched for five state-of-the-art immersive Sound & Light Shows at Leh, Purana
Qila, Bundi, Sarkhej Roza, and Udayagiri & Khandagiri, using projection mapping, laser
technology, and immersive storytelling to rejuvenate historic destinations.
Ashok Travels & Tours (ATT) unveiled a comprehensive physical and digital brochure,
repositioning itself as a one-stop solution offering bespoke tours, visa and passport services,
concierge support, transportation, ticketing, and premium accommodation. ITDC also launched
its online booking portal, www.itdcbookings.in, a digital ecosystem for Government Ministries,
PSUs, Defence, and Paramilitary forces, enabling seamless booking of flights, hotels, transport,
and conferences.
An MoU was signed with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to train 1,500 tribal homestay operators
nationwide through IHM Ashok in hospitality standards, financial literacy, and digital
operations, supporting inclusive and sustainable tourism. Students from JK Lakshmipat
University were felicitated for their pro-bono systems design project, enhancing user experience
at Taj Restaurant, Agra.
A teaser for “Chalo India with Eric Ji” (Mizoram) was launched in partnership with NITI
Aayog, promoting Mizoram’s tourism potential under the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s “Chalo
India” campaign.
The joint celebration symbolises ITDC’s transformation into a technology-enabled,
governance-driven, experience-centric hospitality leader, integrating heritage with innovation.
With strategic reforms, immersive tourism initiatives, digital modernisation, and inclusive
capacity building, ITDC is poised to play a defining role in advancing India’s tourism sector
towards the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
For further media queries, please contact:
Aashi Chaturvedi, PR Head
9871210640, aashi@maxposuremedia.com
