The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India (Northern Region) actively engaged with tourism stakeholders, media representatives, influencers, and YouTubers at the ‘Taj Mahotsav and Conference – Agra Beyond Taj’. The conference, held at JP Palace Hotel and Convention Center, was organised by the Tourism Guild of Agra and SPHEEHA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism (Northern Region) and Uttar Pradesh Tourism.
Dr. R.K. Suman, Regional Director (North), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, addressed the gathering, welcoming participants and outlining the Ministry’s guidelines and policies. He emphasised the importance of promoting Agra’s rich cultural and heritage sites beyond the Taj Mahal in a sustainable and responsible manner.
The conference featured several distinguished speakers, including Rajiv Narain, Vice President of SPHEEHA; Ved Khanna, President of ADTOI and former President of the Tourism Guild of Agra; Shakti Singh, RTO of Agra and Aligarh Region, UP Tourism; Pankaj Gupta from SPHEEHA; Arun Dang, former President of the Tourism Guild of Agra; Soity Banerjee from Outlook Responsible Tourism Initiative; Ashu Gupta, Sustainability Expert; Ram Pratap, Chairman of Chambal Safari, Agra; and Sandeep Shukla, Assistant Director of Indiatourism Agra. Following the insightful discussions, Rajiv Saxena, President of the Tourism Guild of Agra, delivered the vote of thanks.
A panel discussion featuring inspiring speakers was followed by an interactive Q&A session, where participants actively engaged with the experts. The conference saw participation from over 150 tourism stakeholders, media professionals, and influencers from Delhi NCR, along with local representatives from Agra.
In the evening, attendees visited the Taj Mahotsav at Shilp Gram, Agra, where they enjoyed vibrant cultural performances and explored local handicraft stalls. The itinerary also included tours of the Taj Mahal and other lesser-known heritage sites across Agra.
On the following day, participants embarked on a familiarisation (FAM) tour to key heritage sites, including Fatehpur Sikri Monuments, Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur. The primary objective of the FAM tour was to highlight lesser-known tourist destinations in Bharatpur and encourage tourists visiting Agra to extend their stay and explore its neighbouring regions.
This initiative reaffirms the Ministry of Tourism’s commitment to sustainable heritage tourism, ensuring a holistic and immersive experience for travelers exploring Agra and beyond.
