At the SheSparks 2026 summit, Mugdha Sinha, Managing Director of ITDC, delivered a powerful wake-up call to the hospitality industry: women are no longer just guests; they are the backbone of the sector. Highlighting that travel and tourism is the most democratic industry in the world, Sinha pointed out that women make up 40% of the global tourism workforce. In India, the numbers are even more striking—at the iconic Ashok Hotel, women comprise 52% of the staff.

Sinha argued that tourism operates like a giant marketplace, much like Amazon, but instead of goods, it sells experiences, culture, and heritage. However, for this "continent" of 1.5 billion people to truly thrive, she stressed the need for "gender-disaggregated data" to fix issues around safety, sanitation, and solo travel. She urged women to be "demanders" and advocates, using their voices to shape evidence-based policies.

With 43 UNESCO World Heritage sites and a booming middle class, India is positioned to be a global tourism powerhouse. By leveraging technology and sensitivity, Sinha believes women can turn India's rich "divine Shakti" into a leading economic force. The message is clear: when women travel and lead, the entire nation moves forward!