The one-day National Conference of Tourism Ministers, hosted by the Union Ministry of Tourism, took place on 20th August 2019 in New Delhi. The conference drew attendees from various states and territories across the nation, all hopeful to contribute to the collective conversation on how to improve and promote tourism in India. A range of key topics were discussed, leading to several significant announcements being made.
Launch of Hindi Incredible India Portal
During the conference, the Union Minister of Tourism unveiled the Hindi version of the new Incredible India portal. This move is geared towards making the platform more accessible and user-friendly for a wider audience. This is just the beginning as plans are underway to launch Arabic, Chinese, and Spanish versions of the website next month. The bilingual approach is expected to pave the way for attracting a diverse group of international tourists.
Overview of the New Incredible India Website
The Incredible India website was initially launched on 14th June 2018 with the single-minded focus on promoting India as a holistic destination. The site offers an interactive platform where potential tourists can explore the myriad experiences India has to offer, from spirituality and heritage to culture, yoga, and wellness.
Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification (IITFC) Programme
The Union Minister of Tourism also inaugurated the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification (IITFC) portal at the conference. The IITFC Programme is an online learning platform designed to empower Indian citizens to become a part of the flourishing tourism industry. Participants can study at their own pace and convenience, and upon successful completion, they will be certified as tourist facilitators by the Ministry of Tourism.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Conference | August 20, 2019 |
| Number of States Represented | 19 |
| Learning Platform Launched | Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification (IITFC) Programme |
Promoting Night Tourism and Monument Mitras
In a bid to promote night tourism, the Tourism Minister proposed that all significant monuments should remain open till late night for visitors. Recently, this concept was taken into consideration by the Culture Ministry, leading to a decision to keep 10 historical monuments open until 9 PM for tourists across the country. During the conference, the Minister also handed over three new Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and five new Letters of Intent (LoIs) to the potential Monument Mitras.
New e-Tourist Visa Regime
The government is looking to revamp the existing e-tourist visa regime for over 160 countries. Such changes would include higher visa fee during peak season from July to March, and a significantly lower fee for travel during the lean period from April to June. Additionally, the government has introduced a new five-year e-visa category with a fee of $80.
Last Modified: February 6, 2024