News Category: Press Release

June 30, 2020, New Delhi: With the economy re-starting its engine, the Hospitality and Tourism industry is also gearing to make a come-back. Intending to embrace the new normal and discuss the way forward, Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) hosted a webinar on ‘Preparedness of Hospitality, Travel & Tourism industry in the present scenario of COVID 19’ on 30th June 2020.

The webinar was joined by Shri. G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, C&MD, ITDC; Smt. Meenakshi Sharma DG(T), Ministry Of Tourism; Shri. Suman Billa, Director, Technical Cooperation & Silk Road UNWTO; Shri. Pronab Sarkar, President, IATO; Shri. Subash Goyal, Honorary Secretary, FAITH; Shri. PP Khanna, President, ADTOI, and Shri. Amaresh Tiwari, Vice Chairman, ICPB representing various segments of Hospitality, Tours and Travels.

Valuable inputs were received from the panellists who were also of the views that if all the stakeholders come together to support each other during such testing times, the industry can bounce back stronger than ever. Domestic tourism is bound to revive first and so is India as a destination. We are confident that together we shall overcome and bounce back stronger. All the panellists were unanimous that more than what we do, it is important to properly communicate and convince the world and prospective travellers that they are safe while travelling to India.

Addressing the panellist, Mr. G Kamala Vardhana Rao, C&MD, ITDC said, “The confidence quotient has to come back to the traveller to bring back the same. ITDC has already completed a holistic training program on sanitization and hygiene in all its units for the concerned employees and has developed a SOP to be followed to handle the present situation. To restart its business ITDC has not only provided rigorous training interventions on health and safety protocols to its employees but has also signed an MOU with AIIMS to form an advisory body to monitor the situation of COVID-19 and take necessary steps as and when needed..

The Corporation is committed to place health and safety on top priority while retaining traditional hospitality.

New Delhi 09th July, 2020: India Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (ITDC), a public sector undertaking (PSU), under the aegis of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has signed an MOU with AIIMS, New Delhi to come together and monitor the situation to prevent COVID-19 infection and implement preventive measures that can be taken up by ITDC across its hotels and offices to provide a safe, hygienic and healthy environment to guests and staff.

Talking about the MOU Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Tourism and Culture said, “The MoU between ITDC and AIIMS to fight the COVID 19 battle is a commendable and appreciable step taken by ITDC. We need to win over our fear & do everything possible in order to revive the tourism industry, which is one of the key contributors to the country’s GDP. This move by ITDC would be helpful in rebuilding trust & confidence of international as well as domestic tourists.”

“The ongoing pandemic has had a severe impact on the travel and tourism industry. The MoU with AIIMS, New Delhi will help us in monitoring the situation and take necessary measures to fight the pandemic. The tourism sector contributes immensely towards the creation of jobs, as well as the GDP of India, it is imperative to ensure preparedness and readiness of the sector in order to gear it back into action.” Hon’ble minister added.
To take this forward an advisory board will be formed consisting of representatives from AIIMS, ITDC and/or representative from any other organisation to provide inputs on designing and developing the safety Protocols with respect to COVID-19 infection, based on existing and ongoing situation as well as on real time basis. This would help in instilling trust and confidence in domestic tourism and also help in image building of the nation for international tourists and travellers.

These measures are in addition to following guidelines issued by Govt of India as well as extensive training provided to more than 1000 employees of hotel in areas of Front Office, Guest Relation, House Keeping, F&B etc. to effectively handle the situation.

June 04, 2020, New Delhi: Ahead of World Environment Day, India Tourism Development Corporation’s (ITDC) flagship property, The Ashok Hotel received ISO 50001:2018 certification for managing the hotel’s energy requirement efficiently.

The ISO 50001:2018 certification is an international energy management and efficiency improvement standard awarded to organisations who make sure that the energy spending is actively managed, emissions are reduced and there is an awareness of the importance of sustainable energy management among the employees.

Sharing details about the accolade Vijay Dutt, General Manager, The Ashok Hotel said, “The Ashok Hotel epitomizes heritage and grandeur, with sustainability embedded in its core. The hotel was built in an era when sustainability was an inherent construction practice, and we continue to live by it even today. We are applying the best practices to stay true to all of the principles of environmental protection and also spreading the message that efficient energy management is the only way to make sure your business is sustainable.”

By design, the hotel’s landscape significantly reduces heat impact and offers a cooler microclimate. On-site sewage management and reuse of treated waste water for cooling towers and landscaping have enabled the hotel to achieve a zero discharge status. Rainwater is recharged back to the ground with the help of recharge pits. Waste management and treatment are also in place, and all the kitchen waste is treated through on-site composting. Chiller and lighting upgrades have been carried out, and controls have been installed in guest rooms to bring down annual energy cost. Further retrofits and solar PV systems have been installed for overall energy savings.

In 2017, The Ashok Hotel, New Delhi became the first government-owned existing commercial building in India to be LEED Gold certified under this LEED rating system for existing buildings, and also the oldest hotel property in Asia to earn any level of LEED certification.

May 22, 2020, New Delhi: ITDC has remained active in a spate of upbeat activities since March 2020 to support the fight against COVID -19. Even before the lockdown, when the nation was still grappling with the initial stages of impact, ITDC hotels housed stranded tourists until they could be sent home. Starting April 1, 2020, the kitchens of Hotel The Ashok, New Delhi provided 2000 fresh and hygienically packed meals daily to frontline health workers at AIIMS, Safdarjung and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospitals, as well other needy persons for five weeks, serving more than 62,000 meals. Samrat Hotel, New Delhi was made ready to house upto 100 Government doctors who would be available on immediate call. Today, Hotel Kalinga Ashok, Bhubaneshwar and Hotel Samrat continue to be enlisted as quarantine facilities. Two facilities at Puducherry are being independently used for doctors and quarantine. Guided by AIIMS doctors, all health and safety protocols were put in place for the hotels weeks ago. ITDC has been closely involved with officials of the Ministry of Tourism in the formulation of industry and sector specific guidelines / SOPs under the guidance of Hon’ble Minister of State for Tourism. Preparing to restart business amid a new perspective and a new vision, ITDC is committed to placing health and safety on top priority, while retaining traditional
hospitality. The Corporation is forming a Health and Safety Advisory Board with leading doctors as mentors. The entire post-COVID initiative is a 360 degree amalgamation of SOPs, HACCP and FSSAI codes, technology, training, medical expertise and strict protocols.

Mr. G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, C&MD, ITDC, who is stringently monitoring and guiding the activities says, “The aim is to instill a feeling of reassurance and well-being in the minds of our patrons. Our initiative will be based on international benchmarking and be imbued with our deepest concern for our guests.”

A rigorous training intervention on health and safety protocols has been formally inaugurated by C&MD, ITDC at the flagship property, The Ashok, on 22.05.2020. The first phase covering each specific function will be completed within a fortnight. An empowered and re-oriented work-force, and completely safe hotels are ready to welcome visitors.

ITDC is moving ahead!

The legendary Heritage property in India, The Ashok, a flagship property of India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) Ltd invites you to the Exhibition ‘Art Enigma’ a perfect amalgamation of colours and textures of our culture and society depicted through paintings of skilled artists of Hunar Showcasing Art Gallery.

A vivid collection of colourful and affordable paintings from known and upcoming artists across India will be a delight on display for art lovers. The exhibition is a rare opportunity for enthusiasts to not only glance through but also purchase them at affordable prices.

The exhibition of paintings by upcoming artists will add life to your personal space. It features a mix of art practice that draws on the free flow of ideas. The collection will display different colours of the Indian Society ranging from folk dancers to landscapes to portraits on cultural heritage of Indian Art. The paintings done in water colour, oil, pastels and acrylic depict vivid colour schemes and patterns. The artists have painted the canvas keeping in minds the diversity of the Indian Society and with a view to creating both illusionary and real pieces of work with common use of visual references, to the images that work enigmatically around us.

The collection would include paintings by Bhaskar Rao, Deepali Jain, Gauri Verma, Nirakar Chowdhury, Parmeswaran O.P., Sanjay Soni, Sumanto Chowdhury, Yuvraj Patil, and many more.

When: 09th -10th August 2018
Where: The Ashok, Chanakya Puri, New Delhi
Time: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm

About Hunar Showcasing Art:

The Gallery established in the year 2006 at Delhi is one of the leading connoisseurs engaged in promoting new and upcoming artists. It has a team of highly skilled professionals which include designers ,painters ,packaging experts and researchers .Each of them have profound knowledge of art and painting and they guide the gallery in collecting the right painting from the right place .The gallery also provides customized solutions to the clients regarding the art interiors.

Hunar Showcasing Art boasts a collection of over a thousand artworks with a golden eye to experience an open door of imagination, which presents an assessment of its thought provoking work to explore art and artist. Their playful Art Exhibition is conceptually driven and spans a great opportunity to explore and buy paintings with visual appreciation of today and monetary appreciation of tomorrow. 

About India Tourism Development Corporation:

ITDC was incorporated in 1966 with a mandate to develop and expand tourism infrastructure in the country. The Corporation has been moving ahead with consistent efforts on development, growth and world-class services and amenities to its guests. Apart from running Hotels, the ITDC has diversified into non-hotel sectors like Ticketing, Tours and Travels, Event Management, Duty-Free Shopping, Publicity & Printing Consultancy, Engineering Consultancy, mounting Sound & Light Shows, Hospitality education and skill development– all under one roof.

The Ashok was also awarded with “Hotel Providing Best Facilities for Differently- Abled Guest” for the first time.

The Ashok, New Delhi, a flagship property of India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), a PSU under administrative control of Ministry of Tourism was conferred two National Tourism Awards for the year 2016-17 in a function held today at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The Ashok, city’s foremost Luxurious Heritage property won the title under the category of “Best Hotel Based Meeting Venue.” The Ashok has received this award for the 3rd time in a row creating a new benchmark in the hospitality industry.

Another glory that was added for the first time to the brand ITDC and The Ashok was in the form of second National Tourism award under the category “Hotel providing best facilities for differently abled guests”. Since inception, The Ashok has been serving guests with care, providing the best facilities for differently- abled guests. Indeed, 2% of hotel inventory is dedicated for differently-abled guests, with 11 rooms (including 3 suites) furnished with special fittings, that is the largest in the entire hospitality industry.

Hon’ble Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism Shri Alphons Kannanthanam presented the “National Tourism Awards, 2016-17” to various segments of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry at the function organized by the Ministry of Tourism on the occasion of “World Tourism Day” today. Tourism Ministers of States, Central and State Government Officials, Members from the Travel and Hospitality Industries, including leading Hoteliers, Travel Agents and Tour Operators, Students from Tourism and Hospitality Institutes, Mainstream and Travel Media attended the function.

Hon’ble Tourism Minister along with senior officials of ministry and CMD, ITDC also released the brochure of Ashok Events (AE) division, an event execution division of ITDC. The division has successfully implemented and executed several prestigious national and international conventions, conferences and events including ongoing Paryatan Parv at Rajpath in New Delhi.

Hailed as one of the highest honors in the tourism industry- National Tourism Awards felicitate the Indian tourism and travel industry and the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations for their outstanding contribution in the field of tourism.

Bestowed with prestigious award, The Ashok is a best MICE venue which has well equipped arena for meetings and banquet venues that includes a 16,400+ sq ft convention hall with pillar less trifurcation options, a 7,400 + sq ft banquet hall and a friendship lounge besides party rooms and the landscaped gardens for outdoor functions and theme events to cater to gathering of 50 to 5000 guests at any given point of time.

The Ashok has been serving guests with care and understands the needs of our special guests. The hotel also provides the best facilities for differently-abled guests. It also provides wheel-chair accessible ramps as well as hydraulic lift at entrance, wheel-chair friendly and barrier free access to all areas of the hotel, a dedicated public washroom in the main lobby and convention areas. Wide and spacious lifts connect all floors with wide corridors and extra wide doors for easy movement. Wooden flooring and free spaces for easy navigation of wheel-chair in the rooms, accessible furniture (bed, writing table, dining table), cordless phone in the rooms, wheel. Guests can avail of a personal valet or special attendant on request. Even our all F&B outlets like The Oudh, Frontier, Coffee Shop and lounges including business centre and indoor venues are wheel chair accessible.

India Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (ITDC) hospitality major under the aegis of the Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India will observe Vigilance Awareness Week during 29/10/18 to 03/11/18 with a pledge to implement various initiatives under “Eradicate Corruption-Build New India” theme across the organisation.

To mark the day, the oath taking ceremony today was presided over by Mr. Piyush Tiwari, Director Commercial & Marketing, ITDC in the presence of Mr. Pradip Das, Director Finance, ITDC and Mr. Vinayak Garg, Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) with assembly of executives and staff from all divisions at Corporate Office, Scope Complex. Employees from remote places took the e-pledge by signing from the company’s website.

ITDC will undertake major activities/competitions like organising debates and quizzes on issues of anti-corruption at all office/units. ITDC is also organising vendor meet and session with GeM officials to improve procurement process during this period. The organisation will promote the concept of Citizen Integrity Pledge among persons the department deals with on a day to day basis. Display of hoardings, banners, and posters at prominent places with public interface will be undertaken. Organisation will also use digital media aggressively to promote the initiative.

ITDC as a responsible PSU has always stood to the cause of building “Corruption free India”.

About India Tourism Development Corporation:

ITDC was incorporated in 1966 with a mandate to develop and expand tourism infrastructure in the country. The Corporation has been moving ahead with consistent efforts on development, growth and world-class services and amenities to its guests. Apart from running Hotels, the ITDC has diversified into non-hotel sectors like Ticketing, Tours and Travels, Event Management, Duty-Free Shopping, Publicity & Printing Consultancy, Engineering Consultancy, mounting Sound & Light Shows, Hospitality education and skill development– all under one roof.

New Delhi, October 25, 2018: India Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (ITDC) hospitality major under the aegis of the Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India has today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Amity University Haryana Gurugram to offer Six months Certificate courses and One year Diploma in Hospitality trades through Ashok Institute of Hospitality and Tourism Management (AIH&TM), one of the premier PSU Hospitality Training Institutes of the country under ITDC.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Ms. Ravneet Kaur, IAS, Chairperson & Managing Director (C&MD), India Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. by Mr. Piyush Tiwari, Director (Commercial &Marketing), ITDC & Prof (Dr) Padmakali Banerjee – Pro Vice Chancellor, Amity University Haryana. Also present on this occasion were Mr. Pradip Kumar Das, director (F), Mrs. Anita Bimal (General Manager- HRD and Principal AIH&TM), Dr.Bhavana Adhikari, Deputy Dean (Academics), Amity University, Prof Arunangshu Bhattacharya, Professor and Head of School, Amity School of Hospitality, Amity University and senior officers from both the organisations.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ms. Ravneet Kaur, IAS, Chairperson and Managing Director (C&MD), ITDC said that “ITDC has always been paving road to success and change, driving growth of tourism in India. We believe tourism and hospitality are two important segments contributing to nation building and progressive development. AIH&TM, the ISO 9001:2015 certified HRD wing of ITDC, has trained more than 28, 000 candidates through its Hotels and industry partnerships. With an excellent past placement record, we believe that this collaboration of ITDC and Amity University Haryana will impart skills to students and contribute to the growth of tourism in India.”

India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), the public sector undertaking under the aegis of the Ministry of Tourism, conducted its 53rd Annual General Meeting at the Group’s flagship hotel property, The Ashok, New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Ms. Ravneet Kaur, IAS, Chairperson & Managing Director of India Tourism Development Corporation.

The Board of Directors present at the meeting were Ms Ravneet Kaur, IAS, Chairperson & Managing Director, ITDC; Sh. Piyush Tiwari, Director (Commercial & Marketing) ITDC; Shri Pradip Kumar Das, Director (Finance), ITDC. Government Nominee Director Ms. Meenakshi Sharma, IA & AS, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism & Independent Directors including Shri Ajay Swarup, Dr. Kamla Singh and Mr. K Padmakumar were also present in the meeting. Mr. Suman Billa, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism represented President of India as the largest shareholder at the Annual General Meeting.

Following are the highlights from 53rd AGM Address of C&MD to the shareholders on company’s performance during 2017-18:-

• The Corporation closed the year once again with the remarkable performance. The Turnover of the Corporation during the Financial Year 2017-18 was Rs. 370.64 crore as against Rs. 356.11 crore in the Previous Year 2016-17 (As per Ind AS).
• The net profit before tax has been recorded to Rs. 23.62 crore during 2017-18 as against Rs. 11.43 crore in Previous Year 2016-17 (As per Ind AS).
• The board declared and approved a dividend of 18.5% amounting to Rs. 15.87 crore approximately.
• The Corporation has shown a significant improvement in the operational efficiency. Overall occupancy during 2017-18 was 56% as against 58% during 2016-17 with Hotel division achieving a turnover of Rs. 269.33 crore during the year 2017-18 and earning a net profit of Rs. 1.45 crore during the year 2017-18.
• A big push is being given to connect ITDC with new customers especially with younger generation through print and social media. Steps are being taken to make ITDC website more attractive and user friendly. ITDC is also in the process of launching its mobile app, integrated with payment gateways to make the corporation compatible with latest trends and technology.
• During the year 2017-18, ITDC won many awards and accolades which include “National Tourism Awards for the year 2015-16”; Global Star Award 2018; KAUSTUBH Award for Best MICE Hotel and many more.
• In the present dynamic and highly competitive environment a need has been felt to broaden the image of the company from hotel centric organization to an organization offering one stop solutions for all hospitality, travel and tourism related needs through its various verticals.
• The company is conscious of various challenges; hence the board has approved to undertake development of a new business plan aligned with changing business and economic scenario. Request for Proposal (RFP) is being floated for appointment of consultant for formulating new business plan of the corporation.

India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), the public sector undertaking under the aegis of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India organized a vendor interaction meet in association with MSME (Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) at Hotel Samrat.

The meet was chaired by Shri Pyush Tiwari, Director (Commercial and Marketing) ITDC along with Shri Vijay Kumar, Director (MSME) and was attended by large number of MSE’s, senior officials from ITDC and MSME.

The event provided an exceptional platform for meeting the Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE) and disseminating information about ITDC’S procurement of goods and services for encouraging participation by them in tenders.

The Information was provided by MSME officials about Udyog Aadhaar and the benefits being provided to MSE’s. All queries raised by the participants were promptly addressed by ITDC & MSME Officials to their satisfaction.

About India Tourism Development Corporation:

ITDC was incorporated in 1966 with a mandate to develop and expand tourism infrastructure in the country. The Corporation has been moving ahead with consistent efforts on development, growth and world-class services and amenities to its guests. Apart from running Hotels, the ITDC has diversified into non-hotel sectors like Ticketing, Tours and Travels, Event Management, Duty-Free Shopping, Publicity & Printing Consultancy, Engineering Consultancy, mounting Sound & Light Shows, Hospitality education and skill development– all under one roof.