Tourism in India: Working hand in hand to showcase India

Why in News?

• On the National Tourism Day (January 25), the Ministry of Railways in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, is launching its Jagannath Yatra train package.
• Linked to theme-based tourist circuit trains, the initiative is Government of India’s one among many to showcase India’s rich heritage using a ‘whole of government’ approach and promote tourism.

 

What is the status of Tourism sector in India?

• In the past 75 years, India has become synonymous with tourism, spirituality, transformation, culture and diversity.
• The Tourism sector generated Rs 16.91 lakh crore (USD 240 billion) or 9.2% of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2018 and has supported around 42.67 million jobs or 8.1% of total employment.
• India is estimated to contribute 250 Bn $ GDP from Tourism, 137 mn jobs in the Tourism sector, 56 bn $ in Foreign Exchange Earnings and 25 mn foreign arrivals are expected to be achieved by 2030.
• With tourism as its primary concern, the Ministry of Tourism has launched a number of initiatives and implemented a four-pronged development strategy that focuses on:
  • Improving the connectivity - air, rail, and roads.
  • Enhancing the tourism infrastructure and dependent services.
  • Streamlining branding and promotion.
  • Showcasing the culture and heritage.
• Various tourist circuits are being promoted and a new ‘Ambedkar Circuit’ and ‘Himalayan Circuit’ will also be promoted under the action plan for development of tourist circuits.
• A number of projects have been sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme for building tourist infrastructure across various themes.
• The Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme aims to strengthen the tourist facilities around spiritual locations, under which 39 projects have been sanctioned in 24 States.
• According to the Ministry of Tourism, the financial assistance to the tourism sector, which is the biggest sufferer due to Covid 19, continues to be extended upto 31st March, 2023.

 

What are the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism to promote tourism in India?

• The promotion of India’s tourism will only be effective when different Ministries at the Union level and States work in cohesion by combining their domain expertise.
• As a result, the Ministry of Tourism has prioritised the task of inter-ministerial cooperation and coordination
• Today, the Ministry of Tourism coordinates its work effectively with over 20 central government Ministries in the promotion and the development of tourism in the country.
• For example, the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Home Affairs organised the National Conference on Tourist Police (to develop tourist specific policing) in 2022.
• In partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Tourism Ministry has begun establishing ‘Yuva Tourism’ clubs to nurture young ambassadors of Indian tourism.
• In another instance, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is aiming to make India an attractive cruise tourism destination using state-of-the-art infrastructure.
• In partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, tourism officers have been placed in 20 Indian missions in countries that contribute to some of the highest foreign tourist arrivals in India.
• Similarly, with the Ministry of Roadways and the Petroleum Ministry, steps are being taken to ensure that highways and fuel stations have clean sanitation infrastructure.
• The Ministry of Tourism is also funding several commercial flight routes in partnership with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, making them viable.
• However, it is not enough if there is a pledge to work together. This needs to be formalised through structures and institutions.

 

Formalising Structures and Institutions to Promote Tourism:

• The New Draft National Tourism Policy 2022:
  • The policy has been formulated after situational analysis including the impact of COVID-19 and taking into account future projections for the tourism sector with a vision for India@100.
  • One of the ideas includes an institutional structure that can take concurrent and coordinated action across the Union, State and local government levels in partnership with industry.
  • It is this ‘whole of government’ approach that has equipped India with the ability to host the G-20 presidency.
  • Every delegate or visitor who is in India to attend the G-20 summit will return as a brand ambassador and spread the word on India’s rich cultural, spiritual and natural heritage.
• Visit India Year 2023:
  • The Ministry of Tourism’s declaration of “Visit India Year 2023” aims to promote various tourism products and destinations to increase India’s share in the global tourism market.
  • Data show that domestic tourism (a record 1.84 crore domestic tourists visited J&K in 2022) has recovered to pre-pandemic levels.
  • Similarly, foreign tourist arrivals are expected to reach pre-pandemic levels.

 

Conclusion

• India has always been a popular destination for travellers exploring spiritual enlightenment and self-discovery.
• For centuries many great foreign travellers have visited India and shared their experiences in the form of memoirs, travelogues, poetry and books, as Megasthenes, Hiuen-Tsang, Marco Polo, and Fa-Hien have shown.
• As the birthplace to four major world religions, i.e., Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism, India can truly claim to be the world’s spiritual beacon.
• It is at the core of the Government of India’s initiatives to promote tourism. Therefore, it is important for all stakeholders involved to work together to swiftly implement and sustain these efforts.

 

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Q1) How many circuits are there in Swadesh Darshan Scheme?

Under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, 15 themes have been identified for developing theme based circuits. These themes include Buddhist Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Desert Circuit, Eco Circuit, Heritage Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Krishna Circuit, North-East Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Sufi Circuit, Tirthankar Circuit, Tribal Circuit and Wildlife Circuit.

 

Q2) Why is the National Tourism Day celebrated?

To celebrate the diversity of our country, NATIONAL TOURISM DAY is celebrated on 25th January every year. This day is marked with a motive to appreciate our country’s beauty and spread awareness of the importance of tourism and its impact on the Indian economy.  

 

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Source: Working hand in hand to showcase India