Tourism Sector in India

• Tourist: The World Tourism Organization (WTO) defines

tourists as people “traveling to and staying in places outside
their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year
for leisure, business and other purposes
• Visit India Year 2023: The government has launched Visit India Year
2023 as India is heading G20 in 2023. It is a programme which invites
the world to explore India and gives impetus to the tourism sector.
Under the initiative, more than one lakh foreign delegates who will
visit India in 2023 will be showcased the entire gamut of India's
Culture, including monuments and festivals.
Challenges

• The major issues faced by the tourism industry relate to

• entry formality (visa),
• safety and security of tourists,
• lack of tourism infrastructure,
• lack of cleanliness and hygiene in tourist spots,
• lack of connectivity,
• high and multiple taxation,
• Environmental sustainability
• Bureaucratic hurdles
• Lack of skilled workforceetc.
Travel & Tourism Development Index
2024
• India's global travel & tourism index rank up at 39th: WEF Index.
• India's rank on the World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism
Development Index 2024 has risen to 39th place, with global
tourism activities returning to pre-pandemic levels.
• The report was compiled in collaboration with the UK-
based University of Surrey.
• India is ranked highest in South Asia and among the lower-
middle-income economies.
• The US, Spain, Japan, France, and Australia figure among the
top five in the 2024 list.
• India’s travel and tourism sector: According to the World
Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in 2022, the contribution of
India’s travel and tourism sector to India’s economy was
worth Rs 15.7 trillion. By the end of this year, it would be
worth Rs 16.5 trillion.
• The travel market in India is projected to reach US$ 125 billion by
FY27 from an estimated US$ 75 billion in FY20.
 Benefits of development of the Tourism Sector

• Economic growth: Tourism can contribute significantly to the country's economic

growth, as it generates earnings and creates employment opportunities for people in
various sectors.
• Increased foreign exchange earnings: Tourism can be a major source of foreign
exchange earnings for India, as it attracts a large number of foreign tourists who spend
money on accommodations, food, transportation, and other travel-related expenses.
• Infrastructure development: Development of tourism sector can lead to the
construction and improvement of infrastructure, such as roads, airports, and other
transportation facilities, which can benefit other sectors as well.
• Preservation of culture and heritage: Tourism can help preserve and promote the rich
culture and heritage by encouraging the preservation of monuments, art, and traditions.
• Improve standards of living: Lead to the development of local economies and improve
the standard of living of the people. Also, it helps to renew the sense of pride and
responsibility, especially among the local population.
• Increased awareness and understanding: Help promote
understanding and awareness of different cultures, traditions, and
ways of life.
• International recognition: Help raise India's international profile and
reputation, which can initiate a cultural exchange, increases soft
power, promote cultural diplomacy and have positive effects on
various other sectors of the economy.
Types of Tourism in India

• Religious and Cultural tourism: India offers a rich cultural heritage

with religious and historical monuments. Prominent sites include-
Ajanta & Ellora caves (Maharashtra), Mahabalipuram (TamilNadu),
Hampi (Karnataka), Taj Mahal (Uttar Pradesh), Hawa Mahal
(Rajasthan), Char Dham (Uttarakhand), Sanchi Stupa (Madhya
Pradesh) [Link] fairs and festivals include Pushkar fair
(Rajasthan), Taj Mahotsav (Uttar Pradesh), and Suraj Kund mela
(Haryana).
• Adventure tourism: It offers opportunities for exploration of remote
areas and exotic locales and engaging in various activities. The
activities may include- trekking, Skiing facilities in the Himalayas,
Paragliding, Ropeway, etc.
• Beach Tourism: India’s vast coastline and islands provide ample
opportunities for beach tourism. E.g., Blue flag beaches of Odisha,
the backwaters of Kerala, Water sports in Goa, Scuba-diving in
Andaman & Nicobar Islands and coral watching in Lakshadweep
islands etc
• Eco-tourism: India has the potential to become a competitive
ecotourism destination due to its abundant natural wealth (vast
variety of flora & fauna) and wetlands. E.g., Thenamala (Kerala),
Kaziranga National Park (Assam), Sundarbans.
• This would ensure the socio-economic development of local
communities while also entails the sustainable preservation of a
naturally endowed area and its biodiversity.
• Wildlife tourism: India has a rich forest cover and exotic species of
wildlife which can boost wildlife tourism in India. E.g., Sariska Wildlife
Sanctuary (Rajasthan), Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand).
• Medical tourism: India avails cost-effective but superior-quality
healthcare in terms of surgical procedures, general medication and
Ayurvedic treatment and Yoga. E.g., Chennai (Tamil Nadu) attracts
around 45% of medical tourists from foreign countries, Rishikesh
(Yoga capital of World)
• Rural Tourism: India offers a vast potential for rural tourism that
focuses on exploring and experiencing the rural lifestyle and culture
and participating in various activities such as farming, handicrafts,
farm tourism and village walks etc.
• PRASHAD

• Central Financial Assistance to States/UTs under the schemes

of SwadeshDarshan, National Mission on Pilgrimage
Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive
(PRASHAD) and Assistance to Central Agencies for the
development of tourism related infrastructure in the country.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme:

• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Tourism.

• Type of Scheme: Central Sector Scheme.
• Launched in:2014-15.
• Objective:
• Developing critical tourism infrastructure to make India a world class tourist
destination.
• This scheme is envisioned to synergise with other schemes like Swachh Bharat
Abhiyan, Skill India, Make in India etc. with the idea of positioning the tourism sector
as a major engine for job creation, the driving force for economic growth, building
synergy with various sectors to enable tourism to realise its potential.
• Circuits:
• Under the Scheme 15 circuits have been identified for development namely
Himalayan Circuit, North East Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Buddhist Circuit and Coastal
Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual
Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Heritage Circuit, Tirthankar Circuit and Sufi Circuit.
• e- visa Facility

• Extension of e- visa facility to citizens of 167 countries.

• Incredible India 2.0 campaign

• Niche tourism products like Heritage Tourism, Adventure

Tourism, Cruise Tourism, Rural Tourism, Wellness & Medical
Tourism, MICE, Golf, etc. are being promoted through the
Incredible India 2.0 Campaign.
• Helpline

• Launch of 24x7 toll free multi-lingual tourist helpline in 12

International languages including Hindi and English.
• Global Tourism Mart for India
• Organisation of annual Global Tourism Mart for India in line with major international
travel marts being held in countries across the world. It provides a platform for all
stakeholders in tourism and hospitality industries to interact and transact business
opportunities.
• International Buddhist Conclave
• Organisation of biennial International Buddhist [Link] showcases the Buddhist
Heritage in India and boost tourism to the Buddhist sites in the country and cultivate
friendly ties with countries and communities interested in Buddhism.
• Annual International Tourism Mart
• Organisation of Annual International Tourism Mart for promotion of tourism in North
Eastern States.
• “Know India” seminars
• Promotional activities in tourist generating markets overseas through the India Tourism
Offices abroad with active participation in travel fairs and exhibitions; organizing Road
Shows, “Know India” seminars & workshops.
• SAATHI

• Ministry of Tourism developed an initiative called SAATHI

(System for Assessment, Awareness & Training for
Hospitality Industry) by partnering with the Quality Council of
India (QCI) in October 2020.
• The initiative will effectively implement guidelines/SOPs issued
with reference to COVID-19 for safe operations of hotels,
restaurants, B&Bs and other units.
• Adopt a Heritage Project
• Ministry of Tourism has launched the ‘Adopt A Heritage’ project.
• Heritage sites are being offered for adoption by the public sector,
private sector and individuals to become ‘Monument Mitras’ for
developing amenities and facilities at these sites under this
programme.
• ‘Special Tourism Zones’
• Creation of ‘Special Tourism Zones’ anchored on Special Purpose
Vehicles (SPVs) in partnership with the States.
• Creation of Special Tourism Zones would lead to overall
development of the areas and offer diverse tourism experiences
which would help in creating livelihood and improve standards of
local communities living in those areas.
• Glass Top Coaches

• Ministry of Tourism as part of its Rail Tourism Policy is

collaborating with Ministry of Railways for manufacturing of
three glass to coaches to be deployed on scenic rail routes of
the country.
• Two glass top coaches were launched in 2017 on the
Vishakhapatnam – Araku Valley and Dadar to Madgaon route.
The third glass top coach is being constructed for the Qazigund
– Baramullah route in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Unlocking India’s immense tourism potential requires
a comprehensive strategy that addresses the six key pillars of
planning, place, people, policy, process, and promotion. The “6Ps”
cover destination planning and management, infrastructure
development, sustainability and safety, development of human
capital, policy and process interventions to align the Centre and states
as well as promoting the narrative of Indian tourism.
• Presently, Tourism is a state subject. The central tourism department
has been batting for it to be moved to the concurrent list, which can
allow policy-making both at the Central and the State level.
• Granting tourism infrastructure status will provide further impetus to
the growth of the sector. Some Indian states have already provided
industry status to tourism, a key demand of the sector for decades
now.
• Artificial Reality/Virtual Reality can help travellers explore
destinations before they even arrive, providing virtual tours and
simulations of famous landmarks, historical sites, and cultural
experiences. AI-powered chatbots and digital assistants can help
travellers plan their trips, recommend personalised activities, and
offer real-time assistance while travelling.