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Tourism Development
The Government of India recently presented an ambitious strategy for the tourist industry, with long-term income goals of $1 trillion by 2047, when the nation turns 100, and recovery to pre-pandemic levels by 2024, a $250 billion contribution to GDP by 2030, and a global leader by 2047.
The "Dharamshala Declaration 2022," which was approved at the end of the three-day National Tourism Conference, includes this strategy.
The Gulf nations, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Germany continue to be the major source markets for foreign tourists.
Despite the decline in numbers, the trend has remained unchanged.
The Center made various improvements to visa policies in this area, as well as adjustments to make immigration more welcoming of visitors.
For instance, a provision was provided for puja permits for overseas tourists to allow them speedy entry to the pandals and avoid waiting in line, in light of Durga Puja's inclusion on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural treasures.
Forty percent of all medical tourists to India visit Tamil Nadu, which promoted itself as a medical tourism destination.
The Middle East, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka send the most of these visitors to the cities of Chennai, Vellore, and Coimbatore.
In addition to utilising the PM Gati Shakti effort, work needs to be done to create Yuva Tourism groups (similar to NCC) at the district and mandal levels. In certain circumstances, private players may also be involved.
India has come to be associated with tourism, spirituality, change, culture, and diversity over the last 75 years.
In 2018, the tourism industry contributed to 42.67 million jobs, or 8.1 percent of all employment, and earned Rs 16.91 lakh crore (USD 240 billion), or 9.2 percent of India's GDP.
Initiatives taken to promote tourism in India
The Ministry of Tourism has established a four-pronged development strategy with a number of programmes that focus on
- Improving the connectivity - air, rail, and roads.
- Enhancing the tourism infrastructure and dependent services.
- Streamlining branding and promotion.
- Showcasing the culture and heritage.
Before the upcoming Budget session, the new National Tourism Policy will be made public.
In accordance with the action plan for the development of tourist circuits, a new "Ambedkar Circuit" and "Himalayan Circuit" will also be pushed.
The Swadesh Darshan Scheme has approved a number of projects for the construction of tourist infrastructure centred around diverse themes.
The Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 was recently introduced by the Ministry of Tourism with the goal of creating destinations that are sustainable and responsible while focusing on the traveller and destination.
The PRASHAD Scheme, under which 39 projects have been sanctioned in 24 States, aims to improve the tourist infrastructure surrounding spiritual sites.
The financial aid to the tourism industry, which is suffering the most as a result of COVID 19, has reportedly been extended through March 31, 2023, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
To examine concerns about the growth of tourism in the nation, the Ministry of Tourism organised the National Conference of State Tourism Ministers in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.
Aims
To establish a close connection with the States regarding national initiatives, policies, and measures being implemented to boost India's tourism in general.
to serve as a forum for the exchange of successful initiatives, best practises, and potential for new tourism products.
to create a shared understanding of tourism's development as we head toward India in 2047.
The Conference is significant in light of India's current G20 presidency (in 2023). India will utilise the G-20 as a platform to promote its tourist potential to the rest of the world.
The conference came to a close with the acceptance of the "Dharamshala Declaration," which declares India's intention to dominate the world in the tourism industry by 2047 and expresses commitment to the development of "sustainable and responsible tourism."
It claims that all of the key indicators of tourism, including domestic air passenger traffic, hotel occupancy, and tourist foot traffic, have begun to show signs of recovery toward the pre-pandemic levels.
Additionally, it states that the National Tourism Policy was created with the following goals in mind:
To return to pre-pandemic levels by the middle of 2024.
By that time, it is predicted that the nation will contribute USD 150 billion to the global economy and welcome 15 million foreign visitors.
The aims for the tourism industry are a USD 250 billion GDP contribution by 2030, 137 million jobs, and 56 million foreign visitors.
Long-term goals include reviving Indian tourism and setting a USD 1 trillion industry goal for 2047.
It states that the government will keep assisting MSMEs in the tourist sector and take use of the sector's potential to create jobs.
The Dharamshala Declaration also endorses the strategy to promote India as a top travel destination while it has the G-20 presidency the next year.
It announces critical actions such as visa changes, simplified travel, airport immigration facilities that are pleasant to travellers, and an opening to international travel.
Source: The Indian Express