India is moving towards a more connected digital travel ecosystem with the launch of the National Digital Tourism Stack, a new network designed to bring different tourism services onto a common digital framework.
Launched by Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in New Delhi on World Tourism Day, the initiative has been developed by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), with support from the International Centre for DPI Innovation and Advancement (ICDIA).
The broader vision is to make different parts of a journey easier to discover and access digitally, with the government describing the approach through its “One ticket, One pass” vision.
One Network for Different Parts of a Trip
Travellers currently rely on multiple websites and apps to arrange flights, accommodation, transportation and activities. The National Digital Tourism Stack is intended to create a common network through which tourism businesses can make their services available across participating digital platforms.
The network is expected to include hotels, homestays, tourist attractions, guides, local experiences and other tourism services.
It will also incorporate features such as digital payments, ratings and reviews, verified service-provider information and mechanisms for addressing consumer complaints.
23,000 Tourism Offerings Planned by 2028
The government plans to connect 23,000 tourism offerings to the network by the end of 2028.
The target includes approximately 14,000 tourism experiences and 9,000 homestays. More than 1,000 tourism experiences are already available through the ONDC Network, including 170 Archaeological Survey of India monuments and 29 museums, according to the information provided.
The model could give smaller tourism businesses and local operators another digital route to reach travellers while allowing users to discover a wider range of experiences through connected platforms.
AI to Play a Role in Trip Planning
Artificial intelligence is also expected to become part of the digital tourism ecosystem.
The technology could assist travellers in discovering destinations, planning itineraries and accessing tourism services in multiple languages. AI-based tools could also help create more personalised travel plans based on individual interests and preferences.
Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, said that AI, digital platforms and data-driven destination management could make tourism more accessible, responsive and personalised.
Rollout Planned in Phases
The National Digital Tourism Stack is expected to be introduced gradually.
According to the information provided, the first phase is scheduled for October to December 2026, followed by a pilot between January and June 2027. Expansion across the country is planned from July 2027, with the nationwide rollout expected to continue through December 2028.
The phased approach will allow the network to expand its participating businesses, experiences and digital services over time.
A Digital Push for India’s Tourism Economy
The initiative comes as tourism continues to play a significant role in India’s economy and employment.
According to the figures provided, tourism contributed 5.22% to India’s GDP in 2023-24 and supported 8.46 crore jobs. India recorded 428.55 crore domestic tourist visits in 2025, along with 2.53 crore foreign tourist visits. Foreign exchange earnings from tourism stood at ₹2,76,831 crore.
The National Digital Tourism Stack is therefore being positioned as more than a booking network. Its longer-term objective is to create a connected digital layer across India’s tourism ecosystem, bringing travellers, tourism businesses, destinations and experiences onto a more interoperable platform.
