New Delhi, April 27 -- India has a unique opportunity to lead the way in eco-tourism, setting itself apart from regions like Europe that have faced the consequences of mass tourism. With vast potential largely untapped, India's tourism sector stands poised for growth, particularly through eco-tourism initiatives.

The industry experts emphasized the urgent need for sustainable tourism in India amid the global shift towards sustainability in travel, spurred by concerns over carbon footprint, water consumption, and pollution.

"We have a unique advantage that our sites and destinations have not been destroyed or distorted by mass tourism the way we see in some places in Europe and other parts of the world. Our travel has to have minimal or ...