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TRAVEL & TOURISM OCTOBER 09, 2026 | The Indian Eye 47

India Launches Postcard Hotel

National Digital Tourism Stack Bags 12 Honours
at World Travel

to Connect Travel Services Awards 2026

he Centre has launched the he Postcard Hotel has won 12
National Digital Tourism Stack honours at the World Travel
T(NDTS), a new digital pub- TAwards Asia, Oceania & In-
lic infrastructure aimed at bringing dian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2026,
flights, hotels, homestays, tourist at- securing more awards than any other
tractions, local experiences and other hotel brand in Asia this year. The cer-
travel services onto a connected dig- emony was held in the Maldives on
ital ecosystem. The initiative, devel- September 29.
oped by the Ministry of Tourism in The luxury hospitality brand was
partnership with the Open Network named Asia’s Leading Boutique Ho-
for Digital Commerce (ONDC), was tel Brand 2026, retaining the title as
launched on World Tourism Day at it continues to expand its presence
Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. across South Asia. Among its indi-
The government aims to bring vidual properties, The Postcard on
23,000 tourism experiences and the Arabian Sea won Asia’s Lead-
homestays onto the network by the ing Boutique Hotel 2026, while The
end of 2028. The target includes Postcard Gir Wildlife Sanctuary was
14,000 tourism experiences and 9,000 recognised as Asia’s Leading Wild-
homestays. More than 1,000 tourism er credentials, ratings, reviews and pand tourism opportunities beyond life Resort 2026.
experiences, including 170 Archaeo- grievance redressal. established destinations and create The Postcard on the Mando-
logical Survey of India monuments Tourism Secretary Bhuvnesh Ku- greater opportunities for local com- vi River received the title of India’s
and 29 museums, are already trans- mar said artificial intelligence would munities, entrepreneurs, women Leading New Hotel 2026, while
acting through the ONDC network. form the front end of the initiative, and youth. The Postcard in the Himalayan Wil-
The Stack is designed to allow with a vision of “One ticket, One The Ministry of Tourism will lows, Leh, was named India’s Lead-
tourism providers to list their ser- pass” to bring different components work with states and Union territories ing Mountain Resort 2026. Other
vices once and make them discov- of a traveller’s journey together. Cur- to curate and validate tourism expe- awards recognised properties across
erable across multiple participating rently, travellers often use separate riences. The initiative is also intend- India, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, taking
digital platforms. It will include des- platforms to arrange flights, hotels, ed to improve the digital visibility of the brand’s total tally to 12.
tinations, accommodation, guides, cabs, activities and other services. smaller tourism businesses and less- Founded in 2018, The Postcard
attractions, transport services and Union Tourism and Culture er-known destinations by providing Hotel operates 12 luxury properties
local experiences, while also support- Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared infrastructure rather than re- across India, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.
ing digital payments, verified provid- said the initiative would seek to ex- quiring separate digital integrations. Its portfolio includes hotels locat-
ed near beaches, rivers, wildlife re-
serves, tea estates, heritage proper-
AI Reshapes Travel Planning, ties and Himalayan destinations. The
company focuses on destination-led
But Human Touch Remains Central experiences, personalised service
and individually designed properties
rather than a standardised hotel for-
mat.
rtificial intelligence is rapidly available time, preferred weather and ommendations still require verifica- The recognition comes as the
changing the way travellers pace of travel. Instead of searching tion, particularly for information that company enters an expansion phase.
Aplan holidays, offering person- through numerous websites, users can changes frequently, such as prices, Nine additional hotels are scheduled
alised itineraries, destination sugges- ask AI to suggest destinations, com- opening hours, transport schedules, to open over the next 12 months. The
tions and travel information within pare options and prepare day-by-day visa requirements and local conditions. brand is also set to enter Nepal in
seconds. However, as AI becomes itineraries. Recent travel guidance Travellers therefore continue to rely on October 2026 with The Postcard on
more prominent in tourism, travellers also recommends providing detailed official sources and human recommen- the Rapti River in Chitwan.
continue to value local experiences, information to AI to receive more rel- dations before making final decisions. Several of the brand’s winning
human recommendations and mean- evant suggestions. As tourism becomes increasing- properties and categories will now
ingful connections, highlighting the The technology can also help ly digital, the emerging model is not advance to the World Travel Awards
need to balance technology with the travellers explore lesser-known des- necessarily about replacing human in- Grand Final, scheduled to be held
human side of travel. tinations and identify alternatives teraction with AI. Instead, technology in Tanzania in December 2026. The
The shift was highlighted on based on specific preferences. It can is being positioned as a planning as- World Travel Awards, established in
World Tourism Day 2026, whose assist with comparing travel routes, sistant, while travellers retain control 1993, recognise achievements across
theme is “Digital Agenda and Artifi- activities and accommodation op- over their choices and seek authentic the global travel and tourism indus-
cial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.” tions, making the initial planning pro- experiences, local connections and try, with winners selected through
AI tools can create holiday plans cess faster and more personalised. the personal element that technology votes from travel professionals and
based on a traveller’s budget, interests, However, AI-generated rec- cannot fully replicate. consumers.

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