The Indian government is set to elevate the country’s tourism sector through the development of seventeen ‘Iconic Tourist Sites’ to world-class tourism hubs. This action initiative from the Ministry of Tourism aims to optimize these sites to serve as models for enhancement of other tourist spots across the nation.
The Tourism Ministry’s Role and Vision
The Ministry of Tourism, acting as the primary overseer for this project, has highlighted a variety of key aspects they intend to improve. They aim at holistic development of these sites, emphasizing on improved connectivity, better amenities, and more engaging experiences for visitors. They also envision to develop local skillsets, encourage involvement from local communities, promote branding, and draw in private investment.
Furthermore, the Ministry is committed to incorporating elements such as universal accessibility, monument cleanliness, green technology utilization, and bolstered security measures into their development plans.
Leveraging Archaeological Departments
To bring this initiative to fruition, the Ministry will be working in conjunction with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and respective State Archaeology Departments. The selected monuments all fall under the jurisdiction of these departments, allowing for a coordinated effort.
The Iconic Sites To Be Developed
The seventeen sites to undergo this transformation include famous landmarks like Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Ajanta & Ellora caves, Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Amer Fort, Colva beach, and others spread across various states from Uttar Pradesh to Bihar.
Economic Background of the Initiative
This project emerged from a recognized need to boost the tourism sector, which experienced a downturn in 2018. Data revealed a decline in Foreign Tourist Arrival (FTA) growth rate from 14.2% in 2017-18, to a mere 2.1% in 2018-19. Parallelly, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) also decreased from $1,132 million to $1,076 million within the same period.
| Year | FTA Growth Rate | FDI |
|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 14.2% | $1,132 million |
| 2018-19 | 2.1% | $1,076 million |
Challenges and Future Direction
The ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme, which allowed private entities to adopt historical sites for development, has seen limited success with only eleven Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed thus far. The financial aspect also presents a challenge; the Ministry was allocated Rs 1,378 crore for 2019-20, a slight increase from the Rs 1,330 crore allocated in 2018-19.
To overcome these obstacles, strengthening inter-ministerial coordination is crucial. Furthermore, sensitizing State governments about the significance of tourism as a major employment driver and means of poverty alleviation can ensure their proactive involvement in harnessing India’s tourism potential.
