Vadodara, July 27, 2025: Against the magnificent setting of Lukshmi Villas Palace, the 14th International Heritage Tourism Conclave lit up Vadodara with vibrant conversations and visionary commitments to community-led cultural tourism.
Organized by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), the event was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Gujarat Tourism, Delhi Tourism, IndiGo, and IRCTC. This year’s theme, “ख़याल विरासत का”, emphasized the importance of nurturing India’s heritage through inclusivity and innovation.
Delivering the inaugural address, Mr. Rajender Kumar (IAS), Secretary – Tourism, Government of Gujarat, laid out a bold vision. “We are not only restoring monuments but ensuring direct benefits to local communities through jobs, infrastructure, and cultural pride,” he said.
From job creation to cultural ownership, the event underscored how community-based tourism is redefining heritage management across India. The Gujarat model—praised for integrating artisans, women, and youth—emerged as a blueprint for other states.
Royal Endorsement: Heritage for the Future
His Highness Samarjitsinh Gaekwad, Maharaja of Baroda, brought emotional depth to the event. “Heritage must live on through connection with future generations, not just nostalgia,” he noted, urging relevance and reinvention in conservation efforts.
His remarks were echoed in several sessions that focused on the need for intergenerational storytelling and immersive experiences that go beyond monuments and museums.
Tourism Schemes Driving Innovation
Mr. Mohamed Farouk, Regional Director – India Tourism Mumbai, highlighted how Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and the PRASHAD Scheme are linking destinations through cuisine, crafts, folklore, and festivals. These programs aim to enhance tourist experiences while empowering local economies.
“We’re no longer talking only about travel but about stories, sustainability, and shared growth,” said Farouk, framing heritage tourism as both an economic and cultural mission.
Voices from the Sector: Policy Meets Practice
Mr. Rajan Sehgal, Co-Chair – Tourism Committee, PHDCCI, delivered the theme address with clarity: “Heritage tourism is about identity, economy, and empowerment.” He stressed the need for public-private partnerships (PPPs) and innovative policy frameworks.
The event also saw the launch of the PHDCCI–KPMG Heritage Tourism Report, which spotlighted actionable strategies for revitalizing neglected heritage assets through cross-sector collaboration.
Highlight Sessions that Stole the Show
- Vibrant Gujarat Model: Explored community-centric tourism through adaptive reuse and artisan inclusion.
- Shekhawati Legacy: Discussed frameworks to support private owners restoring heritage havelis.
- Culinary Tourism: With food historian Prof. Pushpesh Pant, the panel emphasized food as an untapped cultural asset.
- Traditional Gujarati Lunch – ‘Bapor nu Bhojan’: Curated by Chef Pritesh Raut, it served as a sensory journey through Gujarat’s food history.
- Case Study – Champaner-Pavagadh: Dr. Amita Sinha showcased how community-led tourism repositioned this UNESCO site.
- Women as Cultural Custodians: HH Radhikaraje Gaekwad and HH Kadambaridevi Jadeja led a session advocating women-led tourism ventures.
- Architecture & Storytelling: Proposed use of AR/VR and multilingual tours to engage younger audiences.
- Heritage Transport: Called for restoration of vintage mobility for tourism and demanded dedicated grants.
B2B Meetings and Art Showcase
The conclave also enabled over 25 B2B meetings connecting tourism boards, hospitality brands, cultural entrepreneurs, and policy advisors. These sessions aimed to catalyze new partnerships in the evolving heritage tourism ecosystem.
A guided Heritage Walk of Lukshmi Villas Palace and a curated contemporary art exhibit added immersive layers to the day’s activities, offering delegates a direct experience of the theme in action.
National Collaboration and Strong Partnerships
The conclave was supported by Mann Fleet Partners, ADTOI, FHRAI, HTA Gujarat, IATO, TAAI, VTAA, and PHDCCI’s Annual Corporate Partners including Mankind Pharma, KLJ Resources, Yashoda Hospitals, and JK Tyre.
These collaborations emphasized the collective commitment to building sustainable and inclusive tourism models grounded in heritage.
Conclusion: A New Era of Cultural Tourism
The 14th International Heritage Tourism Conclave proved that India’s heritage tourism is at a turning point. With fresh ideas, local involvement, and strategic policy shifts, the sector is not only preserving the past but also creating jobs, identities, and sustainable futures.
As echoed by many speakers: heritage is not just what we inherit—it’s what we choose to protect, share, and pass on.