National Tourism Day is celebrated annually on January 25 to recognize India’s natural beauty and raise awareness about the importance of tourism for the Indian economy. India is one of the top tourist attractions globally, making tourism significant both in cultural and economic terms for the country.
Status of the Tourism Sector in India
India offers a diverse range of tourism, including eco-tourism, cruises, business, sports, educational, rural, and medical travel. The Ministry of Tourism in India plays a crucial role in developing and promoting tourism by formulating the country’s national policies and collaborating with various local, national, and international organisations.
As per the ranking by the World Travel and Tourism Council, India stands at 6th position in terms of Travel & Tourism’s total contribution to GDP in 2021. With a contribution of 5.8% to the GDP, the sector created 32.1 million jobs, equivalent to 6.9% of total jobs in 2021. Moreover, Global Data forecasts that international arrivals to the country will reach 7.2 million in 2022 and 8.6 million in 2023.
Challenges Faced by the Tourism Sector
Several challenges plague the Indian tourism industry. These include lack of training and skill development, which hinders growth, considering the labour-intensive nature of the sector. Unsustainable tourism practices lead to overexploitation of resources, especially in scarce regions like the Himalayas, leading to soil erosion, increased pollution, and loss of natural habitats of endangered species. Furthermore, the lack of infrastructure and security, including basic health facilities, public transport, and safety measures for tourists, also challenges the sector.
Initiatives Related to Tourism in India
Several initiatives have been launched to promote tourism, including the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, Dekho Apna Desh Initiative, and National Green Tourism Mission. Nationally, India celebrates National Tourism Day and World Tourism Day (27th September) to highlight the importance of tourism.
Ways to Promote Sustainable Tourism in India
The promotion of Responsible, Inclusive, Green, and Hospitable Tourism (RIGHT) is necessary for sustainable development. All stakeholders involved in tourism management should be governed by a common umbrella of regulations. The promotion of green tourism with minimal disturbance to the natural ecosystem and sustainable infrastructure should be prioritised.
A unified tourism system can be established with extensive market research and evaluation exercise to identify desired tourist destinations across the country. A digital unified system that maps these places and promotes them on social media can help in this endeavor.
Using state animals as advertising mascots for Tourism Departments could be an innovative tool to promote tourism education among children. Furthermore, India’s presidency of the G20 (December 2022- November 2023) presents an opportunity to position itself as a major tourism destination, emphasising the age-old dictum of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ or ‘Guest is God’.
It’s essential for India to address these challenges and capitalize on opportunities to enhance its tourism sector while also promoting sustainability.
