Context
As per the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024 report published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), India is ranked 39th among 119 countries.
About
- In the preceding index released in 2021, India was ranked 54th.
- India’s rankings have improved in three areas: Prioritization of Travel & Tourism, Safety & Security, and Health & Hygiene.
- There were 975 million International Tourist arrivals around the world in 2022, wherein India recorded 14.3 million International Tourist Arrivals that represented 1.47% of the global inbound tourism market share.
- The share of India’s International Tourist Arrivals in Asia & Pacific is 15.66% in 2022.
Types of Tourism provided in India
- Bounded by the Himalayan ranges in the north and edged by a coastline surrounded by three seas, India has stunning historical sites and royal cities, golden seashores, misty mountain retreats, rich cultures and festivities.
- Adventure tourism: This entails exploration of remote areas and exotic locales and engaging in various activities.
- For travel tourism in India, tourists choose to move to places like Ladakh, Sikkim, and Himalaya.
- Religious Tourism: The astounding diversity of religions, cultures, and languages of India is unique and remarkable.
- Beach Tourism: India’s tremendous coastline and islands gives adequate opportunities for tourism.
- Kerala, Goa, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep islands entice tourists in large numbers all around the year.
- Cultural tourism: India is known for its rich cultural heritage and a detail of mysticism, that’s why tourists come to India to revel in it for themselves.
- The numerous festivals and gala’s that tourists can visit in India are the Pushkar fair (Rajasthan), Taj Mahotsav (Uttar Pradesh), and Suraj Kund mela (Haryana).
- Wildlife tourism: India has a rich forest cover which hasexotic species of wildlife – some of which are even endangered and very rare. This has boosted wildlife tourism in India.
- Medical tourism: Tourists from everywhere in the world come to India to avail themselves of cost-effective but superior quality healthcare in terms of surgical procedures and general medical attention.
Indian Tourism Sector
- The Indian Tourism sector ranks many of the fastest-growing monetary sectors within the country.
- International Tourist arrival is expected to attain 30.5 million by 2028.
- By 2028, India’s tourism and hospitality industry is projected to generate revenue of over $59 Bn.
- Additionally, Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) are predicted to reach 30.5 Mn by 2028.
Challenges
- Infrastructure Deficiencies: Many traveler destinations in India are afflicted by inadequate infrastructure, such as inadequate infrastructure, including poor road conditions, insufficient public transportation, and inadequate facilities in popular tourist areas.
- Environmental Degradation: Increased tourism results in environmental problems such as pollution, overuse of natural sources, and harm to wildlife and ecosystems. Sustainable tourism practices are regularly missing.
- Lack of Standardization: There is a loss of standardized exceptional control across numerous services within the tourism zone, from motels and restaurants to tour operators. This inconsistency affects the overall tourist experience.
- Seasonality: Many tourist destinations face seasonal fluctuations, with high traveler numbers throughout peak seasons and low numbers during off-seasons.
- Marketing and Promotion Challenges: Effective advertising strategies are frequently lacking, and there’s a need for better promotion of lesser-known destinations.
- Cultural Sensitivity and Management: Managing cultural heritage responsibly whilst balancing tourism desires is difficult.
- There are issues related to respecting local traditions and practices while catering to tourist demands.
Government Initiatives
- Incredible India Campaign: Launched in 2002, this ongoing campaign aims to place India as a most effective tourist destination.
- It makes a speciality of highlighting India’s various subcultures, historical past, and points of interest through numerous media and promotional sports.
- National Tourism Policy: The National Tourism Policy targets to sell sustainable tourism, enhance infrastructure, and increase tourist arrivals.
- Swadesh Darshan Scheme: This scheme was released to develop theme-primarily based tourist circuits throughout the country.
- It specializes in creating global-elegance infrastructure, along with roads, facilities, and signage, to improve the tourist experience.
- Prasad Scheme: The Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Religious, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) objectives to broaden and decorate pilgrimage destinations across India, enhancing centers and accessibility for non secular tourism.
- Atithi Devo Bhava Campaign: This initiative promotes hospitality and the cultural ethos of treating guests with utmost respect and care.
- It includes education applications for service vendors within the tourism zone.
- Visa Reforms: The creation of e-visa facilities for citizens of many nations has simplified the process for acquiring a visa to visit India. This flow aims to attract more international travelers.
- Tourism Infrastructure Development: The government has invested in enhancing infrastructure, consisting of the improvement of airports, roads, and railways, to make travel more only for tourists.
- Support for Sustainable Tourism: The government is promoting green and sustainable tourism practices by numerous schemes and recommendations, consisting of the promoting of accountable tourism.
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Mains Practice Question
Q. How can the mountain ecosystem be restored from the negative impact of development initiatives and tourism? (2019)