India Launches National Digital Tourism Stack: Single API Layer to Integrate Visas, Bookings and Verified Stays
Updated: 15 hours ago
NEW DELHI, September 28, 2026 — India's Ministry of Tourism has launched the National Digital Tourism Stack (NDTS), an open digital public infrastructure platform designed to integrate visas, itinerary planning, transport bookings and verified accommodation through a single API layer.
The platform was unveiled on 26 September 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi during World Tourism Day celebrations, presided over by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat .
What the NDTS Does
The NDTS is being developed in collaboration with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and with support from the International Centre for DPI Innovation and Advancement (ICDIA) .
The platform seeks to enhance the discoverability, accessibility, and trustworthiness of India's tourism offerings. It allows tourism providers to present their offerings on various participating platforms, with support from features such as:
Feature | Function |
Verified identities | Supplier credentials and authentication |
Search and discovery | Find tourism services across platforms |
Payments | Integrated digital payment rails |
Ratings | Consumer feedback systems |
Grievance redressal | Complaint resolution mechanisms |
Tourism Secretary Bhuvnesh Kumar stated that Artificial Intelligence will be at the front end of the project, describing the vision as "One ticket, One pass" to bring all of India together in a single journey .
Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, has highlighted how AI, digital platforms, and data-driven approaches to destination management can bring substantial benefits to the tourism sector by enhancing accessibility, responsiveness, and personalization. He also noted that India possesses significant experience in building Digital Public Infrastructure and is exploring how these strengths can be leveraged to improve tourism.
Implementation Timeline
The program will be carried out in stages, with a pilot scheduled for January 2027.
By the end of 2028, the government targets onboarding 23,000 tourism experiences and homestays, making them discoverable, trustworthy and bookable through the shared digital infrastructure .
E-Visa Expansion: 172 Countries, 88 Entry Points
The NDTS launch coincides with significant expansion of India's e-Visa system.
E-Visa Coverage
India's e-Visa facility now covers 172 nationalities, with approximately 95% of applications processed within 72 hours .
New Entry Points
The Ministry of Home Affairs notified 11 additional international ports in August 2026, bringing the total to 88 authorised e-Visa entry points :
Port Type | Number |
Airports | 37 |
Seaports | 38 |
Land Ports | 13 |
The newly added ports include Bhopal and Tirupati airports, along with nine land crossings: Attari (Punjab), Gede, Ghojadanga, Jaigaon (West Bengal), Darranga (Assam), Agartala (Tripura), Moreh (Manipur) and Haridaspur (Odisha) .
QR-Based Group Visa for Cruise Passengers
A separate but complementary development targets cruise tourism. The Ministry of Home Affairs has introduced an e-Group Visit Visa (Cruise) for foreign passengers arriving on cruise vessels with fixed itineraries .
Feature | Detail |
Eligible Travellers | Citizens of all 172 e-Tourist Visa countries |
Validity | 30 days, multiple entry |
Entry Points | 38 designated e-Visa-enabled seaports |
Application | Submitted by cruise operator or agent |
Deadline | 3 days before vessel's first Indian port |
Verification | QR code scanned at immigration checkpoints |
The QR-based system is expected to cut immigration clearance at seaports to under 30 seconds per passenger .
The initiative aligns with the Cruise Bharat Mission launched in September 2024, which aims to double cruise traffic by 2029, and Maritime India Vision 2030, designed to establish India as a premier maritime hub .
National Initiative for Alternative Destinations – Dekho Apna Desh 2.0
Beyond the NDTS, the Ministry also launched the National Mission for Alternative Destinations under the Dekho Apna Desh Campaign 2.0.
This initiative aims to balance tourism demand by encouraging visits to lesser-known places instead of popular sites. The primary focus areas include:
Category | Examples |
Hill and Mountain | Himalayan destinations |
Coastal and Waterfront | Lesser-known coastal towns |
Heritage and Cultural | Regional heritage towns |
Regional Pilgrimage | Alternative spiritual sites |
The mission will create bookable itineraries that include accommodation, transportation, meals, and local experiences, providing opportunities for artisans, self-help groups, and local guides.
Tourism Revenue Target: USD 100 Billion by 2030
The NDTS and associated initiatives support India's broader target of USD 100 billion in inbound tourism receipts by 2030, with a longer-term goal of 100 million foreign tourist arrivals by 2047 .
Read Also
Quick Reference Summary
Aspect | Detail |
Platform Name | National Digital Tourism Stack (NDTS) |
Launch Date | 26 September 2026 |
Partners | ONDC, ICDIA |
Pilot | January 2027 |
Target | 23,000 experiences and homestays by 2028 |
E-Visa Coverage | 172 nationalities |
Entry Points | 88 (37 airports, 38 seaports, 13 land) |
Processing | 95% within 72 hours |
Cruise Visa | QR-based, under 30 seconds clearance |
Revenue Target | USD 100 billion by 2030 |
Official Resources
Resource | Link |
Ministry of Tourism – Press Release | |
Ministry of Home Affairs – E-Visa Ports Notification | |
Official India E-Visa Portal | |
ONDC Official Website |
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