Ahiti Foundation

Atithi Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation working to transform India's tourism sector into a driver of sustainable economic growth, employment generation and heritage conservation. The organisation partners with government bodies, industry leaders, knowledge institutions and local communities to strengthen tourism policy, improve destination management and create long-term opportunities for livelihoods across the country.

Founded on the belief that tourism can become one of India's strongest economic sectors, Atithi Foundation focuses on evidence-based research, policy design and implementation support. Its work combines strategic planning with on-ground execution, helping public institutions and stakeholders develop tourism destinations that are economically vibrant, environmentally sustainable and culturally responsible. The organisation envisions helping India become a $490 billion tourism economy by 2035 while creating inclusive growth and preserving the country's natural and cultural heritage.

Major Areas of Work

• Tourism policy and strategy development
• Destination management and governance
• Sustainable tourism development
• Tourism research and data systems
• Investment facilitation for tourism
• Destination branding and marketing
• Heritage conservation through tourism
• Public-private partnerships in tourism

Major Initiatives & Programmes

• Strategy & Policy Advisory: Supporting central and state governments in developing long-term tourism policies, investment strategies and destination development plans.
• Destination Branding: Positioning Indian tourism destinations for domestic and international markets with a focus on attracting high-value travellers.
• Tourism Data Ecosystem: Building data-driven systems that support policy decisions, monitor tourism performance and enable evidence-based planning.
• Destination Governance: Strengthening destination management through specialised Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) and collaborative governance models.
• Ease of Doing Business: Working with governments to simplify regulations, improve investment processes and encourage responsible tourism investments.
• Research & Knowledge Building: Conducting research, generating policy insights and developing scalable models that strengthen India's tourism ecosystem.

Impact

• Working towards making India a $490 billion tourism economy by 2035.
• Supporting the growth of a sector that currently contributes approximately USD 190 billion to India's GDP.
• Advancing initiatives that have the potential to create around 64 million direct tourism jobs by 2035.
• Promoting sustainable destination development that balances economic growth with environmental conservation.
• Building partnerships between government, industry, research institutions and local communities to strengthen tourism governance nationwide.

Working at Atithi Foundation offers professionals the opportunity to influence tourism policy, destination development and sustainable economic growth at a national scale. Employees collaborate with policymakers, researchers, industry leaders and community stakeholders while contributing to projects that shape the future of India's tourism ecosystem.

The organisation is well suited for professionals interested in public policy, tourism, economic development, sustainability, research, destination management and stakeholder engagement. It provides an environment where strategic thinking, data-driven decision-making and cross-sector collaboration are central to creating long-term impact.