The Ashok hotel marks 70 years, ITDC celebrates diamond jubilee in Delhi

Delhi’s iconic The Ashok hotel celebrated its 70th anniversary this week with a grand event in Chanakyapuri that also marked the diamond jubilee of the India Tourism Development Corporation ( ITDC ). The ceremony was attended by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat along with leading figures from India’s hospitality, tourism, and travel sectors, highlighting the hotel’s legacy and ITDC’s modernisation efforts.

Addressing the gathering, Shekhawat said, “ ITDC has been a multi-dimensional growth engine for India’s tourism-and-hospitality ecosystem. These celebrations are not just about the past but about reimagining hospitality for the digital and metaverse age , in line with our vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 .” He added, “Our focus is on blending heritage with technology to offer world-class experiences and strengthen India’s global tourism presence.”

Commissioned in 1956, The Ashok remains ITDC’s flagship property and India’s only PSU-managed five-star luxury hotel , renowned for hosting national and international dignitaries, conferences, and high-profile events. Mugdha Sinha, Managing Director of ITDC, said, “ The Ashok and ITDC have always been synonymous with excellence . These initiatives reflect our commitment to inclusive growth, innovation, and providing immersive experiences across physical, digital, and cognitive domains.”

The celebrations featured a comprehensive set of initiatives. A customised commemorative postage stamp sheet was released in collaboration with the Department of Posts, while an illustrated comic book, A Day at the Hotel , was launched in partnership with Amar Chitra Katha to introduce students — especially from tier 2 and tier 3 cities — to career opportunities in hospitality. A stylised QR-enabled postcard provided digital access to a film on The Ashok and the anniversary celebrations. A promotional film highlighting the hotel’s expansive greens, architectural grandeur, and modern amenities was also unveiled to attract global visitors.

Additionally, ITDC launched The Ashok Recipe Book , a heritage coffee-table publication documenting state banquet menus served at Hyderabad House since 1975. “ Gastronomy is a powerful instrument of cultural diplomacy ,” Shekhawat noted. The Ashok and its sister property Hotel Samrat have expanded outdoor-event infrastructure with renovated facilities for exhibitions, fairs, weddings, and conferences, strengthening India’s position in MICE tourism .

ITDC also unveiled the Sound and Light Shows Manual 2026 , establishing itself as the only government organisation with a structured framework for heritage shows using modern projection mapping , immersive storytelling, and standardised processes. Teasers were released for upcoming immersive shows at Leh, Purana Qila, Bundi, Sarkhej Roza, and Udayagiri-Khandagiri Caves. An online booking portal was introduced to enable seamless reservations of flights, hotels, transport, and conferences for ministries, PSUs, and defence forces. A memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs was signed to train 1,500 tribal homestay operators nationwide in hospitality standards, financial literacy, and digital operations. “Inclusive tourism is at the heart of ITDC’s mission,” Sinha said.

The celebrations follow ITDC’s recently reported strong financial performance, with 54 per cent quarter-on-quarter revenue growth in Q3 FY 2025–26. Shekhawat said, “These numbers reflect our ability to deliver excellence and our strong business fundamentals, which complement our cultural and heritage initiatives.” According to the ITDC Annual Report 2024‑25 , revenue from operations rose 12 per cent to ₹565.20 crore, while profit after tax increased 25 per cent to ₹82.94 crore. The Ashok alone achieved its highest-ever operational turnover of ₹210.64 crore in FY 2024–25.

The Ashok , a recipient of National Tourism Awards , continues to play a central role in India’s luxury hospitality and diplomatic engagements. The joint anniversary celebration symbolised ITDC’s transformation into a technology-enabled, governance-driven, experience-centric hospitality leader . Shekhawat concluded, “By combining heritage with innovation, we are ensuring that India’s tourism sector remains competitive, inclusive, and globally recognised for decades to come.”