Through milestones, awards, and crises alike, the Today’s Traveller magazine has remained a trusted voice, celebrating discovery, driving innovation, and keeping the spirit of travel alive.
When Today’s Traveller first rolled off the press in August 1997, it was a modest experiment with a bold heart. It recognized that travel was more than destinations; it was about people, stories, and experiences that deserved to be celebrated.
In the years since, it has grown into India’s leading travel magazine, captivating over 1.4 million discerning readers nationwide and redefining how travel and tourism magazines are presented in India.
Today’s Traveller sprang from a clear conviction: to do justice to destinations and tell stories as they are—honest, human, and unhurried. This vision aimed to reshape how discovery is understood and to bring local rituals and community traditions into the mainstream.
Conceived and launched by Kamal Gill, Founder and Executive Editor, the magazine carried her belief that travel writing should be more than surface impressions; it should chronicle culture, people, and places in their truest light.
From the outset, the magazine paired immersive consumer travel narratives with significant issues, spotlighting senior leadership across the private and public sectors. This approach ensured that policy, investment, and traveler experience could speak to one another with clarity and purpose.
That very first issue was a milestone in itself. It not only captured imaginations but also earned international acclaim. Today’s Traveller won the PATA Gold Award for Editorial Excellence, a rare honor for a debut issue.
The magazine stood as a pillar during difficult times, especially during the Covid crisis, when hospitality and tourism came to a halt. It offered encouragement, visibility, and solidarity to its partners, ensuring that the voices of the industry continued to be heard even in the darkest days.
Today’s Traveller: A Legacy of Heritage, Vision and Excellence
The Beginning
In August 1997, Today’s Traveller entered the world of publishing with an ambitious mission: to tell the story of India’s tourism and hospitality in all its richness and complexity.
From its first issue, the magazine positioned itself as a vanguard of India’s heritage and travel narrative. It mapped the growth, development, and history of Indian tourism, chronicling the rise of mighty brands while quietly recording the fading away of others.
Windows to India
Across its pages, Today’s Traveller opened doors to unexplored domestic and international destinations, new travel circuits, and both celebrated and lesser-known festivals.
Renowned for a rich collection of stories on heritage, eco-tourism, and luxury leisure travel, it resonates with a wide readership. Food also became a recurring theme, celebrated in all its glory, demonstrating how regional cuisine is as much a journey as the destinations themselves.
Luxury found its natural home in the magazine’s features. From luxury trains and ancient pilgrimage trails to the art of weddings and global lifestyle currents, its narratives remind readers that travel is about spirit as much as spectacle.
Beyond consumer-focused features, the magazine consistently offered in-depth insights into the latest developments in travel and tourism, including aviation information and comprehensive hospitality coverage.
It delivered bold, authentic analyses and supported sustainable tourism on principle and in practice.
Recognition on the Global Stage
The world took note almost immediately. With its debut issue, Today’s Traveller was honored with the PATA Gold Award at the 47th Pacific Asia Travel Association Conference in Manila in April 1998 for its cover story “50 Years of Independence: Whither Tourism?” This powerful acknowledgment set new benchmarks in editorial excellence.
Kamal Gill stated, “Everyone cautioned, ‘This is your first issue, why take the risk of upsetting people?’ But I believed truth was more important than comfort. We published the story, it won the PATA Gold Award, and our resolve only grew stronger.”
This first award was no stroke of luck—it was the beginning of a larger story. In 2001, Today’s Traveller once again brought home the coveted PATA Gold Award for “Serving Up India… The Right Way.”
The momentum only gathered pace in the mid-2000s, with two more global wins, declaring that India’s tourism narrative had found a strong voice.
That voice grew stronger in 2008 when Today’s Traveller was honored again with a PATA Award for its feature “Aviation and Climate Change.” This positioned India at the forefront of global conversations on sustainability.
It reinforced the magazine’s editorial credibility and its role as a platform where India’s tourism and hospitality stories could stand tall. Judges hailed Kamal Gill’s work as “well-researched, highly informative and ultimately inspirational,” recognizing her for capturing the potential of India’s tourism landscape with honesty and foresight. These citations acknowledged the magazine’s ability to set agendas in the industry.
Shaping Tourism Conversations
Each award reflected more than editorial strength; it showcased the magazine’s role in shaping conversations about tourism in India and abroad.
By spotlighting domestic tourism long before it became a government priority, and by examining niche tourism segments ahead of their time, Today’s Traveller demonstrated foresight that continues to resonate across various sectors.
Today, as the magazine looks back on its journey, these milestones stand as proof of its dual legacy: as a storyteller of India’s heritage and journeys, and as a game-changer in global travel journalism. With every feature, it has carried India’s voice to international forums and inspired readers and industry leaders across the world.
Witness to an Industry’s Highs and Lows
Today’s Traveller has not only chronicled success but also stood by the industry in its hardest times. During the Covid pandemic, when hospitality and tourism came to a standstill, the magazine became a pillar of support, offering encouragement and solidarity. One shining example was its initiative to stream schooling information for students at IHM Aurangabad, ensuring future hospitality leaders could continue learning.
Milestones and Collector’s Issues
Over nearly three decades, Today’s Traveller has created its own traditions. Its Collector’s Issues became annual landmarks, not just for the magazine but for the travel community itself.
“Champions of Change” (2022) – This edition marked 25 years of resilience, with a cover launch and awards evening at the Taj Palace, New Delhi.
“Transformation” (2023) – This issue mirrored the post-pandemic shift in hospitality, travel, and aviation.
Covers that Told Stories
Across 28 years, Today’s Traveller’s covers have been more than magazine fronts; they have been portraits of an industry in motion. Each cover is conceived as a work of art—crafted by renowned artists to capture the essence of travel.
From serene landscapes to bold industry profiles, every cover speaks of journeys and has become a keepsake for stakeholders in the travel sector.
Destinations
For nearly three decades, Today’s Traveller has championed discovery in its widest sense, bringing forward new destinations, lesser-known regions, and emerging circuits. The magazine seeks stories at the source: from mountain hamlets shaping soft-adventure routes to coastal towns reimagining eco-conscious stays.
Coverage blends practical intelligence with narrative depth, placing community voices, local rituals, and everyday traditions at the heart of the travel experience. By spotlighting authentic adventures and culture-first itineraries, Today’s Traveller elevates areas ready for responsible tourism into national conversation.
Heritage remains the magazine’s living thread, tracing architecture, crafts, festivals, and culinary memory across generations. Readers continue to explore the rich history and impactful content captured within the pages of previous editions of Today’s Traveller. Features delve into restoration efforts, apprenticeship traditions, and the custodians who keep intangible culture alive.
Heritage remains the magazine’s living thread, architecture, crafts, festivals, sacred routes, and culinary memory traced across generations. Features delve into restoration efforts, apprenticeship traditions, and the custodians who keep intangible culture alive—from folk music and handloom legacies to temple kitchens and seasonal rites. Some of Today’s Traveller’s heritage story includes- “6 Luxury Heritage Hotels That Bring the Past to Life, 13 Rich UNESCO-Recognised Traditional Food
Cultures Celebrating Heritage and Flavours, 12 Maratha Forts Added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, Showcasing Their Outstanding Cultural Value, 7 Hidden Gems of Indian Mural Heritage You Need to See” and many more.
The goal remains twofold: to celebrate the splendour of India’s past while advocating for its future through responsible visitation and respectful documentation. By placing heritage alongside contemporary travel, Today’s Traveller ensures that legacy is a central narrative.
The Today’s Traveller Awards
If the magazine told the story of travel, the Today’s Traveller Awards instituted 10 years after its inception told the story of celebrating people who pioneered travel, carved niches on the hospitality landscape and created history with their foresight in aviation. The Today’s Traveller Awards, now synonymous with prestige, have brought together a galaxy of leaders every year. What began as a modest recognition platform blossomed into one of India’s most respected travel and hospitality awards evenings. These events have honoured visionaries, brands, and changemakers, while creating a community of excellence bound by shared passion.
Over the years, the Today’s Traveller Awards became the stage where glamour met gravitas—unforgettable not only for honoring leaders and brands but also for the personalities who added prestige.
- Star power and glamour
Few publications in India can claim to have had Amitabh Bachchan read their magazines. His presence symbolized the merging of cultural icons with travel. - Leaders and policymakers
The Awards became a stage where India’s tourism policies met industry champions. Dignitaries such as Ambika Soni and Subodh Kant Sahai lent their support, giving the platform weight. - Corporate luminaries
Business leaders defined Indian enterprise at this platform. Their presence reflected how Today’s Traveller became a corporate showcase as much as a travel celebration.
Since 2007, Awards evenings have often coincided with unveiling annual Coffee Table Books like Corporate Connect and Business Unusual. Presented by ministers and icons at grand gatherings, these volumes quickly became landmarks on India’s hospitality and tourism calendar.
Today’s Traveller Summit
Evolving naturally, the Today’s Traveller Awards paved the way for the Today’s Traveller Summit, a platform that brought together voices at the highest level across hospitality, travel, tourism, aviation, and the corporate world. Keynotes have been delivered by industry leaders, enriched by their insights and discussions on investment in the hospitality sector.
Keynotes and special addresses have been delivered by Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, Government of India; Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & CEO, IHCL; Dimitris Manikis, President EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; and Justice Jasti Chelameswar, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India and former Chief Justice of the Kerala and Gauhati High Courts. Distinguished voices have also included Frits van Paasschen, former CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts and earlier an executive with Coors Brewing Company, and Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, the 77th Custodian of the House of Mewar.
The Summit has seen thoughtful conversations such as “Leadership Makeover,” with participants including Anil Chadha, Managing Director, ITC Hotels; Mohit Nirula; Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG; Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director and COO, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group; and Zubin Saxena, Senior Vice President and Regional Head, South Asia, Hilton, moderated by Mandip Singh Lamba, President (South Asia), HVS ANAROCK Hotel Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd.
A defining exchange on investment in the hospitality sector, “Seizing Opportunities,” brought together Snehdeep Aggarwal, Founder & Chairman, Bhartiya Group, and Sanjay Saraf, Chairman, Saraf Group, guided by Rajiv Kaul, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, CMS Info Systems. Their dialogue explored how disciplined capital, sharper partnerships, and stronger operating models can shape the next wave of growth across India’s hospitality landscape.
Equally memorable was a Fireside Chat between K. B. Kachru, Chairman South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, and Rahul Pandit, MD & CEO of Advent Hotels International.
At “Trailblazers at the Table: Young Turks Envision the Future,” industry leaders such as Vikram Lalvani, Managing Director & CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts; Vikram Cotah, CEO, GRT Hotels & Resorts; Atul Jain, COO, BWH India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh; and Parveen Chander Kumar, Executive Vice President – Commercial, IHCL, came together, with discussions steered by Saurabh Rai and Sudhir Gupta, enriched by contributions from Rattan Keswani and Anupam Dutta.
A Dynamic New Chapter – todaystraveller.net
The Today’s Traveller digital platform extends the depth of the print magazine. While the magazine continues to deliver rich, carefully curated narratives, the website opens further avenues for exploration, linking to expanded reportage, expert commentary, and fresh sections spanning sports, entertainment, and travel. In the months ahead, this presence will grow with new categories and formats that keep our audience engaged and informed, while aligning with our commitment to sustainability and responsible discovery.
Digital reach
As the magazine steps into its 28th year, it carries both nostalgia and newness. Nostalgia for the friendships forged, the milestones celebrated, and the countless stories told. Newness in the forward looking website format featuring unexplored destinations to be discovered, the rising voices in hospitality, and the exciting possibilities of travel in a changing world. For readers, partners, and the entire travel fraternity, Today’s Traveller has been more than a publication; it has been a witness, a storyteller, and a stage where India’s tourism and hospitality industry shines—while never losing sight of the cultural richness and luxurious aspirations that shape modern journeys.
Looking back, it is extraordinary to see how a magazine conceived in the late 90s could grow into a legacy that continues to inspire. Today’s Traveller remains committed to its founding spirit: celebrating travel as an experience that transforms lives and connects cultures.
Looking back, it is extraordinary to see how a magazine dreamt up in the late 90s could grow into a legacy that continues to inspire. Looking ahead, Today’s Traveller remains committed to its founding spirit: celebrating travel as an experience that transforms lives and connects cultures. Here’s to the next chapter of adventure, discovery, and leadership. Here’s to Today’s Traveller, 28 years young, and forever timeless.
A new journey begins… We look back fondly at the first Today’s Traveller Awards event, held at Ashok Hotel, Delhi; and the time, energy, and imagination that culminated in a grand finale at the awards night.
Memories of Today’s Traveller : A walk through of milestones
A significant milestone was the first Cover Launch of the Coffee Table Book and the star-studded Awards night, which saw a mix of industry stalwarts and celebrities.
A Tryst with Bollywood
2008 saw Today’s Traveller CTB showcasing Bollywood – India’s brand ambassador and made the important travel-movie connection. First, we remember the first Cover Launch of the Coffee Table Book and the star-spangled Awards night which saw a mix of industry stalwarts and celebrities from the film industry.
It’s good to relive memories, celebrating corporate travel and the business world. Entrepreneurs, business magnates, and a multicultural workforce gathered under one roof at the Cover Launch of the Today’s Traveller Coffee Table Book.
On completion of 10 years of Today’s Traveller in 2007, we started annual Coffee-Table Books with diverse themes.
The 2008 edition showcased the crucial link between Bollywood and travel, highlighting the connection with cinema.
Our annual coffee table books have been well-received by the corporate world, national and international tourism bodies, hotels, and airlines.
Each coffee table book launched at mega events in New Delhi features the Today’s Traveller Awards, honoring outstanding contributions in tourism and hospitality.
· The first coffee table book captured the true essence of the traveller who is always exploring new frontiers. (Launched in 2007 by the then Hon’ble Minister, Ambika Soni at The Ashok Hotel, New Delhi)
· The 2008 edition —Today’s Traveller: Bollywood Travel Connection, showcased the crucial link between Bollywood and the travel world (Launched by the then Hon’ble Minister, Ambika Soni and noted filmmaker the Late Yash Chopra at Hotel The Suryaa New Delhi )
· The 2009 edition — Today’s Traveller: Corporate Connect, dealt extensively with the travel preferences of the corporate world (Launched by the then Hon’ble Minister, Ambika Soni at The Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi)
· The 2010 edition —Today’s Traveller: Business Unusual – Innovation is the key, is an outstanding compilation of innovative business initiatives from India’s leading corporate heads, state and central government ministries, PSUs, tourism bodies and aviation companies. (Launched by the then Hon’ble Minister, Ms. SeljaKumari at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi)
· The 2011 edition —Of Today’s Traveller: In Pursuit of Excellence, dealt with how companies instil excellence as a motto in their organisations (Launched by the then Hon’ble Minister, Subodh Kant Sahai, at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi)
· The 2012 edition — Today’s Traveller: Star Power, unravelled the qualities both at human and organisational levels that catapulted companies to star status. (Launched by the then Hon’ble Minister, Subodh Kant Sahai and noted filmmaker Padma Shri Ramesh Sippy at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi)
· The 2013 edition — Today’s Traveller: The Success Code, launched on August 30 deals with the success formula of India’s leading organizations and will contain views and plans of India’s major corporate heads, state and central government ministries, PSUs, tourism bodies and aviation companies. (Launched by Hon’ble Minister, Oscar Fernandes and noted filmmaker Padma Shri Ramesh Sippy at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi)
· The 2014 edition – Today’s Traveller: Winners’ Matrix, launched on 16th September 2014 by the then Hon’ble Minister of State for Tourism & Culture (I/C)Mr. ShripadYessoNaik.
· The 2015 edition – Today’s Traveller: Success Refined, launched on 11 August 2015 by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Tourism & Culture (I/C) and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma.
· The 2016 edition – Today’s Traveller: Game Changers, launched on 01 August 2016 by the Hon’ble Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, Mr. Vijay Goel.
· The 2017 edition – Today’s Traveller: Quantum of Success, launched on 31 July 2017 by Padma Bhushan Shri SK Misra, former Chairman INTACH and Shri VK Duggal, former Governor Manipur and Mizoram, Government of India
All these coffee table books are launched at mega events in New Delhi and attended by the who’s who from the corporate world and travel-trade industry. The highlight of the event is the Today’s Traveller Awards which are given away to corporate leaders, hotels, state tourism bodies, airlines, international tourism bodies and other major entities for outstanding contributions in their own fields.
A Tryst with Bollywood
2008 saw Today’s Traveller Coffee Table Book showcasing Bollywood – India’s beloved film industry and made the important travel-movie connect. In a first, we remember the institution of the Yash Chopra Award for Film Tourism and the Star-spangled Awards night, which saw a mix of industry stalwarts and celebrities from the film industry.
#Nostalgia #Memories #Throwback #TodaysTraveller #Travel #Tourism #Hospitality
Yash Chopra – Veteran Indian filmmaker & his wife Pamela Chopra
Ambika Soni – The then Union Minister for Tourism & Culture
Nakul Anand- The then Divisional Chief Executive, ITC Hotels
S.S.H. Rehman, The then Executive Director, ITC Hotels
Muzaffar Ali – Indian Film Maker
Nakul Anand
ITC Hotels
Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism, India
Yet another star-studded gala awards ceremony with a distinguished guest list celebrated the 15th Anniversary of Today’s Traveller. The then Union Minister for Tourism Subodh Kant Sahai and the noted filmmaker Ramesh Sippy unfolded the cover of the Coffee Table Book—Star Power in the presence of the who’s who of the travel industry and celebrities. It was celebration time for the winners, who won Today’s Traveller award. A peek into the good times at the event!
#Nostalgia #Memories #ThursdayThrowback #TodaysTraveller #Travel #Tourism #Hospitalit
Ritu Beri, CEO of Ritu Beri Fashion Designs
Subodh Kant Sahai, the then Union Minister for Tourism
Ramesh Sippy, Producer and Director and the then President of the Film and Television Guild of India
Dr. Mohan Yadav, the then Chairman of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation
O.V. Choudhary, the then CGM of Madhya Pradesh Tourism
Nawang Rigzin Jora, the then Minister for Tourism & Culture, Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir
Nasir Aslam Wani,the then Minister of State for Tourism &, Culture, Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir
Vivek Kumar, the then CEO of Hotel Sahara Star
Suresh Kumar, the then CEO of Fortune Park Hotels
Ashwani Nayar, the then GM of Le Meridien Jaipur
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