About Us
Make Tourism Better
INTRODUCTION

ICRT India Foundation was founded in 2017 as a network of people who support the Cape Town Declaration of Responsible Tourism signed in 2002 and who work towards expanding the movement of Responsible Tourism in India.

The ICRT India Foundation signed and supports the 2022 Responsible Tourism Charter signed on Magna Carta Island in November 2022. Also in 2022, the ICRT India Foundation was registered as a not-for-profit with its registered office at Bhopal in the heart of India, in the state of Madhya Pradesh.

ICRT Sri Lanka is also part of the Indian subcontinent network.

 
OUR WORK

ICRT India is dedicated to advancing Responsible Tourism in India and the Subcontinent. We have partnered with the state governments of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra to integrate responsible practices into mainstream tourism. In 2022, we signed an MOU with the Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI) to expand our reach through tour operators and travel agencies. We also partnered with Fairfest Media to promote the Global Responsible Tourism Awards in India.

In 2023, ICRT India contributed to the National Tourism Strategy Consultation, emphasizing the potential of Responsible Tourism in India. The country offers unique experiences that allow travelers to immerse in local culture while positively impacting the local economy. Despite emerging as a global leader in Responsible Tourism, India has yet to receive the recognition it deserves.

Under the guidance of Professor Harold Goodwin, ICRT India supports the development of Responsible Tourism policies and practices nationwide. The success of Responsible Tourism in Kerala, introduced in 2008, has served as a model for other states, demonstrating the crucial role of national, state, and local governments in improving tourism for all stakeholders.

If you support the objectives and practices of Responsible Tourism please join our Facebook group.

भारत पूरे विश्व में ‘रिस्पोन्सिबल टूरिज्म’ (ज़िम्मेदार पर्यटन) की दिशा में अग्रणी देश के रूप में उभर रहा है, लेकिन अभी हमें राष्ट्रीय एवं अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर वह पहचान नहीं मिल पा रही है, जो पर्यटन के इस सकारात्मक स्वरूप को मिलना चाहिए। “अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय सेंटर फ़ोर रेस्पॉन्सिबल टुरिज़म“ केअध्यक्ष प्रोफेसर हेरोल्ड गुडविन के मार्गदर्शन में हमने ‘इंडिया रेस्पोंसिबल टूरिज्म नेटवर्क’ की शुरुआत की है।अगर आप भारत देश में रेस्पोंसिबल टूरिज़म के उद्देश्यों और उसकी गतिविधीयों का समर्थन करना चाहते हैं, तो कृपया हमारे फेसबुक ग्रुप से जुड़ें।

ICRT India Foundation - Vision

  1. Raising awareness for Responsible Tourism as a concept, the practices and its principles.
  2. Support *RT activities at the grassroots level.
  3. Support *RT activities which provide wider benefits to the local communities.
  4. Support *RT activities which are measurable in terms of their impacts.
  5. Connecting community and field practitioners to marketing and training resources and linkages.
  6. Raising awareness for travellers to travel responsibly and making responsible travelling choices.
  7. To become a partner on sustainability in destinations by working closely with related governmental agencies and NGO s
  8. To become a resource faculty on sustainability to train the stakeholders and travellers
  9. To propagate the progress of sustainable practices in destinations to attract more conscious travellers from across the globe
  10. To join hands with similar NGOs at destinations to enhance marketing based on sustainability

And Mission 

  1. Create a strong network between Responsible Tourism grassroot level practitioners and policymakers through personal contacts and resources.
  2. Hold annual awards for Responsible Tourism practitioners in India under different categories and to have a simpler nomination process with emphasis on supporting evidence through visits and assessments. Emphasis will be that a fair chance is given to all deserving enterprises/ companies/ individuals.
  3. Hold webinars and workshops and along with industry specialists, also invite ground practitioners to help them connect with the mainstream operators in Tourism, ICRT Network and policymakers.
  4. Run field-based certified short training courses for practising and interested stakeholders.
  5. Publish details of Responsible Tourism practices in India and highlight measurable criteria on website and social media platforms of ICRT India.
  6. Organise Responsible Tourism Marts, roadshows, events and workshops in major cities of tourist origin.
  7. Create memberships based on practice and subject to basic training (criteria for membership).
  8. Connect with International chapters to ensure updated information on sustainability in tourism reaches all our stakeholders
  9. Make representations from time to time to the local tourism authorities to progress towards better sustainability in destinations
  10. Help the micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Responsible Tourism to create sustainable experiences, itinerary creation etc to ensure that their products bring a class.

Members of the ICRT India have completed a short consultancy project: Rural Stays Gangotri: Taking Responsible Tourism Beyond the Pilgrimage Route

The 2026 report of the Annual Round Table, held each year when the India Responsible Tourism Awards are announced, is available online

MEET THE FOUNDING MEMBERS

Rupesh Kumar
Rupeshkumar Kumaran Nair (K. Rupeshkumar) has been pivotal in making Kerala a global leader in Responsible Tourism. Since 2007, he has opposed unethical tourism practices and advocated for sustainable alternatives in Kumarakom. He has held key roles, including State Responsible Tourism Project Coordinator and Alapuzha Backwater Tourism Master Plan Coordinator. Currently, he is the State Responsible Tourism Mission Coordinator. Rupesh developed the Village Life Experience tour package, turning traditional livelihoods into tourism products, earning recognition as India’s best Rural Tourism Initiative. His work has garnered multiple national awards and the UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovations in Public Policy
Manisha Pande
Manisha joined her family’s hotel business in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary in 2002. In 2004, she co-founded "Village Ways" to combat outmigration from Binsar’s villages by creating sustainable livelihoods through Responsible Village Tourism. As Managing Director, she has overseen the development of Village Tourism Enterprises in Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Kerala, and Nepal. She collaborates with a UK-based marketing team to connect these enterprises to the market. Manisha also focuses on product design, pricing, sales, and administration. Additionally, she has developed impact studies to measure tourism’s economic effects on local communities and leads training initiatives in Uttarakhand

manisha.pande@villageways.com, + 91 9869005642

Manoj Kumar Singh
Manoj Kumar Singh leads the Skill and Training Department at the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board. He plays a pivotal role in developing the state's Responsible Tourism Mission, focusing on sustainability, community involvement, and environmental conservation. Singh initiated the “Responsible Tourism Mission Policy” to create livelihoods, promote local arts, and encourage Responsible Tourism behaviour.  He also oversees key projects like "Safe Tourism Destination for Women," Community-managed Rural and Tribes Tourism, and Solid-Liquid Waste Management. With over 13 years of experience, including work on the World Bank-funded District Poverty Initiative Project, he brings extensive expertise to his current role in tourism development.
Himanshu Pande
Himanshu Pande was the founding visionary of Village Ways and has played a major role in the development of the company and expansion to new community partners. He himself is from Binsar, Uttarakhand, where Village Ways was conceived to assist the local communities who were under serious threat of outmigration. Since then, Himanshu has dedicated himself to developing new village tourism enterprises throughout India and in Nepal. He also provided assistance to develop the village Tourism enterprises in the villages of Simiens in Ethiopia to help the communities in understanding the concept of rural tourism and the importance of shared benefits within the members of the participating community.

himanshu.pande@villageways.com +91 9411105450

WELCOME TO ICRT INDIA FOUNDATION MEMBERS

Kumar Anubhav is a global leader in sustainable tourism and heritage preservation. A Wharton-certified entrepreneur and former analytics executive, he founded NotOnMap to empower rural India through community-based tourism. With travel experience across 60+ countries, his work bridges cultural preservation and social entrepreneurship. NotOnMap has received global acclaim from UNWTO, Booking.com, and FITUR, among others. As an advisor to UNESCO Asia and a frequent speaker at international forums, Kumar advances tourism aligned with UN SDGs, championing inclusive growth and responsible travel.
Raj Basu is a pioneering advocate of community-based and cross-border tourism in India’s eastern and northeastern regions. As Chairman of Ecotourism for the Government of West Bengal and advisor to the tourism departments of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, he has shaped policy and grassroots engagement. He is credited with initiating tea tourism in India and promoting voluntourism through Jet Airways. Founder of Help Tourism, Raj also fosters regional collaboration through leadership roles in the Indo-Bhutan and Indo-Nepal Friendship Societies, driving sustainable, inclusive tourism across borders.
 Dr. Aditi Choudhary is a leading academician and sustainable tourism strategist with 19 years of experience designing and implementing responsible tourism models across India’s diverse landscapes. A full-time faculty member at the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management and a certified Master Trainer, she has led skill development, policy advisory, and destination planning for projects supported by the Ministry of Tourism, State Tourism Boards, World Bank, and UN-ECPAT. A published author, her expertise spans sustainable tourism businesses, cultural and pastoral tourism, climate-resilient enterprises, and socio-economic impact studies. Internationally certified and globally engaged, she bridges academia, community empowerment, and strategic consultancy for inclusive tourism.
Swati Pramar is a seasoned development professional with over 15 years of experience in gender equity, decentralized planning, and rural tourism. Currently serving as Senior Technical Expert – Social Management Framework and Gender under NRETP (Govt. of Madhya Pradesh), she previously led key projects at the MP Tourism Board, including Rural Tourism and Safe Tourism Destinations for Women. With a background in Social Work and Project Management, Swati is known for her grassroots engagement, policy insight, and effective collaboration across sectors. Her work champions inclusive development through responsible tourism and community empowerment in rural India.
Sanjib Sarangi is a development practitioner with over 20 years of experience in environmental conservation and natural resource-based livelihoods. As a leader at Indian Grameen Services, he has championed ecotourism models like Mangalajodi, Odisha-transforming poachers into stewards of biodiversity. A Coady Institute and IIM Bangalore alumnus, he mentors rural tourism initiatives and promotes safe tourism for women in Madhya Pradesh. Recognized by UNWTO and Indian Responsible Tourism Awards, his work blends ecological sustainability with community empowerment. A passionate naturalist and photographer, Dr. Sarangi advocates for nature-positive tourism as a cornerstone of sustainable development.
Amit Singh is a seasoned socio-economic development professional with over 20 years of experience in responsible tourism, community-based enterprises, disaster risk reduction, and rural development. A core member of ICRT India, he has led pioneering initiatives across Madhya Pradesh- including the rollout of the Responsible Tourism Mission, tourism skilling programs, and policy frameworks under the State Planning Commission. As a rural tourism expert and advisor, Amit has worked with NABCONS, UNDP, and various government departments, fostering inclusive development, women’s empowerment, and decentralized planning. His strategic leadership bridges governance, grassroots impact, and sustainable tourism innovation.
Nidhi Bansal, Group CEO of City Explorers Pvt Ltd, leads award-winning brands like Delhi Walks®, India City Walks, and India With Locals. With 22+ years in hospitality across Taj, Marriott, and The Oberois, she merges cultural heritage with social impact. A certified Change Management Specialist (PROSCI, USA), Nidhi drives community-centric tourism through employment in heritage, gastronomy, and the arts. Her leadership has earned three National Tourism Awards and the Hall of Fame honor. Passionate about women’s empowerment and citizen engagement, she curates immersive experiences that foster cultural exchange, economic upliftment, and sustainable destination storytelling.
Sachin Bansal, Chief Explorer® at India City Walks, is a pioneer in experiential tourism and destination storytelling. Winner of three National Tourism Awards and the Hall of Fame honor from India’s Ministry of Tourism, he champions regenerative travel and heritage preservation. As founder of City Explorers Pvt Ltd, he created industry-defining models like EDiT™ and REDO®. His initiatives promote inclusion, artisan revival, sustainability, and community engagement. Recognized by UNWTO and global platforms, Sachin is also a thought leader, writer, and tourism jury expert - advancing responsible travel through innovation, education, and impactful local experiences.
Geethu Mohandas is a trailblazer in Indian tourism, championing inclusive and sustainable travel. As Founder of LetsGoForACamp and Srishti, she has empowered women and redefined group travel through cultural immersion and adventure. A recognized trainer with Kerala’s Responsible Tourism Mission and a State Core Member of the Women-Friendly Tourism Network, Geethu promotes gender-inclusive practices. She made history as the first Indian woman in the Fjällräven Polar Expedition and her company is a recipient of the ICRT Silver Award for Responsible Tourism. Her work continues to inspire transformative travel rooted in empowerment and sustainability.
Kamakshi Maheshwari is an Assistant Professor at IITTM Gwalior with over two decades of expertise in heritage tourism, sustainability, and community development. She has led national initiatives including the Swachhta Action Plan, G-20 Tourism Trainings, and rural tourism projects under the Ministry of Tourism. Known for her work on India's first UNESCO heritage tourism village, Raghurajpur, she is also the author of two acclaimed books on heritage tourism. A recipient of several national awards, including the Limca Book of Records and JCI’s Outstanding Young Personality, Dr. Maheshwari blends academic depth with impactful fieldwork.
Amit Tamhane is a seasoned CSR professional with over 19 years of experience spanning HR, corporate affairs, hospitality, and sustainability. He has led impactful CSR initiatives including heritage restoration of Banganga and Worli Fort, skill training programs like Sanjeevani and Saksham, and digital literacy efforts under NDLM. Amit excels at designing CSR frameworks that integrate community development with corporate goals, fostering partnerships with NGOs, government agencies, and local stakeholders. His work reflects a deep commitment to inclusive growth, sustainability, and education-driven empowerment across urban and rural communities.
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