In the past 75 years, India has become synonymous with tourism, spirituality, transformation, culture, and diversity. Tourism in India has grown rapidly, with major developments and investments in the pipeline, India is set to build the rightful place of India’s tourism industry in the global arena. In an exclusive interview with Travel Turtle, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and DoNER talks about the strategic plans to position India as a key tourism destination in the world.
Sudipta Saha
It is rightly said that ‘Good things take time’ and the same goes with this diversified nation-India. India, as a nation has been able to establish itself as one of the major countries on the world map. As India realises the immense potential that lies in the tourism industry and establishes the tourism sector as a primary concern, the Ministry of Tourism has undertaken various initiatives and taken a four-fold development strategy that focuses on improving connectivity via air, rail, and roads, enhancing the tourism infrastructure and dependent services, streamlining branding and promotion and showcasing the culture and heritage. The Ministry has sanctioned Rs 7000 crores for the development of tourism infrastructure throughout the country.
G20, a game changer for the tourism industry
With India presiding over the G20, it is going to offer an enormous opportunity to showcase the vivid landscape and astounding tourism products that India is blessed with. Well, G20 Grouping might be discussing various geo-political and economic issues, but on the other hand, it is definitely going to give a boost to the tourism industry. Speaking on the importance of G20, Shri G. Kishan Reddy says, “85 per cent of the population comes under G20 countries and 85 per cent of GDP comes from G20 countries. G20 is going to boost tourism and will be opening the scope of investment for hospitality as well as adventure, cruise and wellness tourism. We are going to explore our heritage, culture, history, monuments, festivals, traditions, arts and artefacts and showcase them to the G20 countries. Around 200 meetings are planned in different locations and approximately 250 cultural events will be organised and therefore we plan to promote and market the incredible tourism products to them. This is a huge opportunity for us and mainly the for the tourism sector.”
Northeast, the hidden gem
The seven sisters in northeast India are adorned with impressive landscapes which are yet to be explored and experienced. With India hosting the G20 Summit across 55 cities including the northeast, it is going to change the dynamics of the states in the region. At the central level, major emphasis is being laid towards the development of infrastructure in the different states in the northeast, in order to enhance tourism opportunities and other prospects. Highlighting the same, Shri G. Kishan Reddy mentions, “The ministries of Tourism, DoNER and Road Transport & Highways are developing 100 view-points in the Northeast region. As many as 22 viewpoints have been taken up for development at a cost of Rs 49 crore. Recently during ITM in Mizoram, nine viewpoints have been taken up for development at the cost of Rs12.78 crore. In addition to that, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is also in the process of developing other viewpoints on their own.”
Domestic Tourism, a key player
Domestic tourism is on track and a mammoth increase in the segment has been noticed which is a positive indication for the industry. “After a gap of 40 years, very positive scenery can be witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir; the tourism activity in the state is flourishing and is growing in a positive direction. There were several challenges for us such as corona, and problems in the Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir which have been resolved. Earlier, there were numerous beaches and waterfalls, and forest areas that were unexplored because of leftist terrorism, but now as everything seems to be under control, a huge opportunity for investment in tourism has opened up. We have everything, but the need of the hour is to endorse and promote our tourism products on the international platform,” adds Shri G. Kishan Reddy.
Major Investment opportunity
India is working on a vision to upgrade and uplift its one of the major GDP contributors i.e. the tourism sector as per a study the tourism sector contributes to around 4.7 per cent of the country’s GDP and provides employment to around 31.8 million inhabitants. Many major investments, developments and events are in the pipeline to encourage and boost the tourism sector. Shri G. Kishan Reddy states that we are planning an Investor Conclave, where we will chalk out the plans for investment for different states and see which segment of tourism can be enhanced and developed in that particular state. He further adds, “We will focus to increase the global investments not only in the hospitality industry but to also develop theme parks and entertainment centres, adventure tourism, cruise tourism, wellness tourism, winter tourism, tourism in the Himalayan states, cultural, spiritual and heritage tourism. We are going to invite the major investors in the country and have an on-table discussion on the investment plans. Tourism cannot grow without investors, the state budget has been increased and therefore we are planning to develop various circuits, tourism infrastructure and products on the PPP model.”
India-on a mission
In the past years, phenomenal growth in the Indian tourism industry has been witnessed. Emphasizing the importance of air connectivity, Shri G. Kishan Reddy says, “The number of airports in the country has increased from 74 in 2014 to 140 now, and it is further proposed to increase the number of airports to 220 by 2025.” He further adds, “The Prime Minister’s vision of associating the Indian diaspora and NRIs for promoting tourism will be encouraged. The financial assistance to the tourism sector, which is the biggest sufferer due to Covid 19, continues to be extended up to March 31, 2023.”
Highlighting the slogan of ‘Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi’ given by the Prime Minister, Shri G. Kishan Reddy elaborates that after a vast process of consultations and deliberations, the National Tourism Policy will be brought out before the Budget session. He also informs that various tourist circuits are being promoted and a new ‘Ambedkar Circuit’ shall soon be launched. The Himalayan Circuit will also be promoted under the action plan for the development of tourist circuits.
