The Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) proudly announced that its CEO, Mr. Rajan Bahadur, has received a Special Recognition for Leadership at the 9th Annual Exhibition Excellence Awards (EEA) 2025. The award ceremony took place on 31st May at the CIDCO Exhibition & Convention Centre, Mumbai.

This prestigious accolade celebrates Mr. Bahadur’s visionary leadership and his remarkable contribution to shaping India’s tourism and hospitality industry. Under his guidance, THSC has made significant progress in closing the skill gap, advancing industry-led initiatives, and equipping India’s youth with future-ready skills.

Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Bahadur said, “I am deeply humbled by this recognition. This award is a testament to the collective efforts of the entire THSC team and our stakeholders who share our mission of skilling, reskilling, and upskilling the nation’s workforce. Together, we are shaping a more inclusive, resilient, and dynamic future for India's tourism and hospitality sector.”

Through his strategic vision, Mr. Bahadur has helped THSC become a key force in India’s skilling ecosystem. His focus on innovation in skill development, employment-linked training, and building robust industry collaborations has transformed the way the sector approaches workforce development.

This special recognition not only applauds his individual achievements but also highlights the importance of strong leadership in driving sustainable change across industries.

About THSC:

The Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) operates under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). THSC is committed to building a skilled and job-ready workforce for India’s tourism and hospitality sectors.

Cleartrip, a Flipkart company, has announced the appointment of Manoj Awasthi as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). In his new role, Awasthi will lead the company’s tech charter, uniting engineering, data, and infrastructure to build a platform that is more scalable and user-focused.

The appointment aligns with Cleartrip’s ambition to become a tech-first travel brand that simplifies travel planning for modern Indian users. With Awasthi on board, the brand is aiming to enhance its platform’s scalability and innovation through intuitive design and tech-led differentiation.

Awasthi brings with him over two decades of experience in engineering leadership, platform innovation, and digital transformation. Prior to joining Cleartrip, he served as the Chief Technology and Product Officer at fintech company Julo, where he was instrumental in launching key products like JULO Turbo, Klikilat, and Protect+, while streamlining core technology and product engineering divisions. He has also held leadership positions at Tokopedia and Adobe.

Ramesh Gururaja, Senior Vice President, Consumer Products & Growth at Flipkart, said, “Manoj’s appointment is a big step forward in building a future-ready leadership team with strong, cross-functional expertise. His arrival aligns perfectly with our vision of strengthening our tech platform to drive long-term growth and innovation.”

Commenting on his new role, Manoj Awasthi said, “I’m excited to join Cleartrip, a brand that’s all about making travel planning a joyful experience. At Cleartrip, I look forward to modernizing the tech stack, encouraging faster experimentation, and building systems that make travel planning simpler and smoother for our users.”

In a historic move for the global tourism industry, Shaikha Al Nowais has been officially nominated to serve as the next Secretary-General of UN Tourism, beginning January 2026. The nomination came during the 123rd session of the UN Tourism Executive Council held in Segovia, Spain, and marks the first time a woman has been chosen to lead the organisation in its 50-year history.

An accomplished Emirati business leader, Al Nowais brings over 16 years of expertise in hospitality. She currently serves as the Corporate Vice President of Rotana Hotels and is a well-respected figure in the tourism ecosystem. Beyond her executive role, she also chairs the Abu Dhabi Chamber’s Tourism Working Group and is a board member of both the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council and Les Roches Hospitality Academy.

Her nomination not only underscores her personal accomplishments but also signals a significant step forward in enhancing gender representation at the highest levels of international tourism leadership.

The Segovia session was also a moment of reflection and review, as outgoing Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili looked back on eight years of transformative leadership. “We have put tourism at the forefront of the global agenda to enhance its competitiveness and economic value,” he said. He highlighted the organisation’s focus areas, including education, investment, rural development, women’s empowerment, and innovation.

In addition to leadership transitions, the Council reviewed sectoral progress as global travel continues to rebound. According to the UN Tourism Barometer released in May 2025, international tourist arrivals surpassed 300 million in the first quarter of the year—14 million more than the same period in 2024.

Member States also received updates on the expansion of the UN Tourism Online Academy, improved data systems, and fresh initiatives in sustainable tourism. One of the session’s major announcements was the launch of the first UN Tourism Thematic Office on Innovation for Africa. Based in Rabat and developed in partnership with Morocco’s Ministry of Tourism, the office will drive innovation-focused tourism projects across the continent in alignment with the UN Tourism 2030 Agenda for Africa.

As Shaikha Al Nowais prepares to take the reins in 2026, her appointment represents both a milestone and a message: the future of global tourism will be driven by inclusive leadership and bold innovation.