26 JUL 2025, New Delhi
On 25th July 2025, the 14th International Heritage Tourism Conclave was held at the beautiful Lukshmi Villas Palace in Vadodara. The event was organised by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and others like Gujarat Tourism, Delhi Tourism, IndiGo, and IRCTC.
The theme of the event was “ख़याल विरासत का” (Thoughts of Heritage), focusing on preserving India’s culture while involving local communities.
What Happened at the Conclave?
Many important people were part of the conclave – like government officials, royal family members, architects, tourism professionals, chefs, and cultural experts. They talked about how India’s old buildings, food, festivals, and art can help create jobs, grow tourism, and make people feel proud of their culture.
Key Messages from Speakers:
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Mr. Rajender Kumar, Secretary from Gujarat Government, said they are not just fixing old buildings, but also helping local people get jobs and better facilities through tourism.
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Maharaja Samarjitsinh Gaekwad of Baroda said that heritage must connect with the young generation so it stays alive and relevant.
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Mr. Mohamed Farouk from India Tourism Mumbai spoke about schemes like Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and PRASHAD, which promote tourism through food, crafts, and local stories.
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Mr. Rajan Sehgal from PHDCCI said that heritage tourism brings identity, money, and empowerment, and called for better government and private partnerships.
Cultural Highlights:
- The day started with a Saraswati Vandana by students of Maharaja Sayajirao University.
- A new report on heritage tourism was launched by PHDCCI and KPMG, showing how teamwork between government and businesses can save our heritage.
Interesting Sessions & Ideas:
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Vibrant Gujarat Model: How local people can benefit by working with heritage sites.
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Shekhawati Legacy: How private owners can protect and restore old buildings.
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Culinary Tourism: Famous chefs and food experts talked about how food tells cultural stories and can attract tourists.
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‘Bapor nu Bhojan’ Lunch: A traditional Gujarati meal, created by Chef Pritesh Raut, let everyone taste the state’s food history.
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Champaner-Pavagadh Case Study: Explained how community support helped a UNESCO site.
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Women in Tourism: Royals like Radhikaraje Gaekwad spoke about supporting women-led tourism projects.
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Heritage + Technology: Using storytelling and digital tools to make history interesting for young people.
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Old Cars & Trains: Discussion on restoring old transport as part of the tourist experience.
More than 25 B2B meetings and walkthroughs happened between tourism boards and business leaders to plan future projects. There was also a Heritage Walk and art show at Lukshmi Villas Palace for guests to enjoy.
The event was supported by many organisations and companies like Mankind Pharma, JK Tyre, Yashoda Hospitals, and tourism groups like ADTOI, IATO, TAAI, and FHRAI.
The conclave showed that heritage tourism is not just about old buildings, but about people, stories, food, and future opportunities. It called for new ideas, strong policies, and working together to make India’s culture a key part of its progress.
Source: PIB
