BRIDGES for Conscious Travel 2025: A Global Conference on Sustainable Tourism

New Delhi, March 10, 2025 : RARE India is set to host the 8th edition of BRIDGES for Conscious Travel from April 3rd to 5th at The Roseate, New Delhi. As India’s only sustainability-focused travel conference, BRIDGES 2025 will emphasize slow, sustainable, and community-driven tourism while incorporating a NettZero framework for carbon accountability, mitigation, and offsetting.

Supported by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited, the event will also include FAM Programs to Gujarat and a festival in Odisha celebrating Chhau Dance, drawing attention to cultural and heritage conservation.

A Small-Format, Tech-Driven Conference

BRIDGES follows a small-format model, fostering focused discussions and collaborations. This year, it integrates a mobile application designed by Cvent, facilitating event registration, meeting schedules, and networking opportunities for attendees, including hoteliers, travel designers, conservationists, and storytellers. The event will feature pre-scheduled meetings, knowledge-sharing sessions, and panel discussions centered around responsible tourism.

Industry Leaders Call for Action

Shoba Rudra, Founder of RARE India, emphasized the importance of transitioning from conversations to concrete actions in responsible tourism.

“It is time to address the challenges of tourism growth and luxury concepts. BRIDGES 2025 is designed to bridge the gap between dialogue and implementation, with a business approach that prioritizes ‘people and planet first.’ Our collaboration with NettZero reinforces this commitment to accountability and sustainability.”

Showcasing Sustainable Hospitality

Over 50 boutique, owner-run properties and experiences from India and Nepal, including heritage hotels, wildlife lodges, and wellness retreats, will participate. Trade visitors and buyer delegates from countries such as the US, UK, France, Israel, South Africa, and Switzerland are expected to attend, fostering global engagement in experiential travel.

Devyani Bhatnagar from Hotel Laalee, Jaipur, highlighted the significance of BRIDGES as a platform to showcase cultural storytelling and slow travel.

“Laalee is excited to engage with like-minded professionals and contribute to the evolving conversation on sustainable boutique hospitality.”

Similarly, Baber Mahal Vilas in Nepal sees BRIDGES 2025 as an opportunity to highlight its unique blend of history and architecture.

Varun SJB Rana, Director of the boutique hotel, shared, “Our participation will allow us to present Nepal’s architectural heritage and hidden travel gems.”

A Legacy of Conscious Travel

Since its inception in 2017, BRIDGES has continuously evolved, even adapting to an online format during the pandemic. As it returns in 2025 with a renewed focus, the conference aims to accelerate industry-wide conversations on sustainability and the future of experiential travel.

Author: Prakriti Parul