Remember me
Mugdha Sinha IAS and Managing Director of India Tourism Development Corporation
In a career spanning over 27 years, Mugdha Sinha, IAS, has held trailblazing roles across governance, culture, science, commerce, and tourism. From being Rajasthan’s first woman Collector in Jhunjhunu and Hanumangarh to pioneering culture-driven initiatives like Astro Night Sky Tourism and the International Museum Expo, she has constantly bridged heritage with innovation.
Now, as Managing Director of India Tourism Development Corporation, she’s steering the organisation through its 60th year with a forward-looking vision. In this candid and insightful interview with Today’s Traveller, Ms. Sinha reflects on her leadership approach, strategic vision for ITDC, and the transformative power of inclusivity and purpose in public service.
TT BUREAU: How has your diverse administrative journey shaped your approach as the Managing Director of ITDC?Mugdha Sinha: With nearly two plus decades across governance, culture, commerce, science and tourism, I see ITDC as a convergence point. Tourism integrates nature, culture, commerce, and community. My culture stint taught me how heritage can drive both the understanding of global cultural commons and how to manage cultural assets for tourism.
My commerce experience gave me insights into global trade negotiations and bargaining, which enables me to operate globally position and brand India Tourism Development Corporation, as well as to build ITDC’s intellectual property stack for revenue-royalty based on public-private partnerships around soft assets, leveraging soft diplomacy for hard commerce.
At ITDC, I’m merging commerce with data, IPR, new technology and marketing. We’re launching a comprehensive online booking portal, transforming our mascot Adyant into an AI chatbot, and leveraging big data analytics for commercial decision-making, procurement, and providing service.
I have also introduced “smart contracting,” where partnerships share not just commercials but also convert ideas into commercial assets and intellectual resources. It’s about balancing tradition with innovation.
TT BUREAU: What is your strategic vision for ITDC’s growth and transformation?
Mugdha Sinha: Leading ITDC in its 60th year is both humbling and energising. Since 1966, ITDC has been the public sector face of country’s travel, tourism and hospitality sector— training professionals, building hotels, curating events, duty free shopping experiences and earning foreign exchange long before private players entered the scene.
My vision is to future-proof ITDC, aligning it with India’s aspiration of becoming a global tourism hub. We are expanding across our Strategic Business Units — from hotels and events to mobility, retail, consultancy, and training.
Through schemes like Swadesh Darshan and PRASAD, ITDC is shaping infrastructure while curating Incredible India immersive experiences. With the government’s stress on Safety, Sustainability, Sanitation, Service-Standards, Skilling utilising the 7Ts of Tradition, Talent, Technology, Tourism, Trade, The ‘I’ of ITDC stands in sync with the ‘I’ of Incredible India to deliver growth that is both profitable and purposeful.
TT BUREAU: MICE and wedding tourism are emerging as major drivers of India’s travel industry. How is ITDC leveraging these trends?
Mugdha Sinha: ITDC has twenty-five years of experience as a Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) and is strategically tapping into both MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and the Big Fat Weddings by providing end-to-end solutions that blend world-class infrastructure with personalised and customised services.
Our offerings include state-of-the-art venues, premium accommodations, sprawling lawns, driveways, expert event management, and bespoke F&B experiences, ensuring seamless execution whether it’s a corporate conference or a grand wedding celebration.
The Wed in India-aligned Shopping Arcade is going to add value to our offerings. Through Ashok Events, our dedicated events division, we manage every detail, from concept and planning to execution, combining creativity and precision at each step to deliver memorable, impactful experiences.
A standout example is The Ashok, New Delhi. Spread across 21 acres, it offers over 30,000 sq. ft. of versatile event space, 550 rooms, and a range of facilities suitable for both large-scale conferences and luxury weddings.
The Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi
This combination of space, scale, service excellence, and heritage uniquely positions ITDC in India’s growing MICE and wedding tourism landscape, offering clients experiences that are both iconic and unforgettable. Our teams draw on the distinctive strengths of each property, flexible event spaces, thoughtfully curated décor, signature cuisine, and scenic backdrops, while The Ashok’s legacy as a preferred venue for generations adds a timeless appeal.
To further elevate India’s global wedding profile, we complement these offerings with strategic digital campaigns and influencer partnerships, making each celebration not just an event, but a memorable story.
TT BUREAU: As a leader in civil service, how have you navigated challenges and perceptions that came your way?
Mugdha Sinha: Over the years, I’ve learnt to flip the script—transforming adversity into advantage and moving beyond resilience to become anti-fragile. Like Arjun’s unwavering focus on the fish’s eye, I concentrate on the task at hand.
Early in my career, I was told that multiple district postings were unimaginable for a woman. Yet, I went on to serve in four districts, all with demanding law and order responsibilities. Similarly, corporate and PSU leadership roles are often perceived as male-dominated, but I’ve had the opportunity to lead three PSUs—both at the Centre and the State.
Being in service means being in action. You lead by example, build empowered teams, and deliver with speed, empathy, and integrity. A leader is only as strong as their team. Inclusive teams, in my experience, bring diverse perspectives, enabling smarter, more creative problem-solving.
If I were to sum up my journey in a line: “I am wedded to my work. My only aspiration is to remain in service of Incredible India in my current role as MD of India Tourism Development Corporation.”
Closing Note
Ms. Mugdha Sinha’s leadership at India Tourism Development Corporation marks a defining moment in the evolution of Indian tourism. By combining cultural sensitivity with cutting-edge innovation, she is not only rejuvenating a legacy PSU but positioning it at the heart of India’s global tourism narrative. As ITDC enters a new decade, it does so with a renewed sense of purpose—guided by a leader for whom public service is both mission and mantra.
Read More: Today’s Traveller Interviews