Suman Billa is a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer (1996 batch, Kerala cadre) and a globally recognized expert in tourism policy and international relations. Currently serving as the Additional Secretary and Director General (Tourism) in the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, he is one of the primary architects of India’s modern tourism strategy and its “Viksit Bharat 2047” roadmap.
Suman Billa’s career is defined by high-impact roles at the state, national, and international levels. After a successful tenure as Secretary of Kerala Tourism, where he helped solidify the state’s global “God’s Own Country” brand, he transitioned to the central government as Joint Secretary (Tourism) from 2014 to 2019. In a rare international appointment, he served as Director of Technical Cooperation and Silk Road Development at the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Madrid (2019–2023), where he led global initiatives on sustainable tourism. He returned to India in 2023 to lead the Ministry of Tourism’s strategic recovery and growth initiatives.
A graduate of Madras Christian College and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Suman Billa combines deep academic rigor with three decades of administrative experience. His authority is cemented by his experience at the UNWTO, where he coordinated tourism development across diverse international borders. He is a frequent keynote speaker at global forums like the PATA India Tourism PowerHouse and a recurring contributor to leading publications, including The Hindu and The Indian Express.
