Role of Tourism in Make in India Campaign

Tourism

India, a country which is on the path of development, a country which was slave before 6 decades. Britishers took away our wealth and prosperity but they were not able to take away our culture, our heritage and that is what India offers to tourists.

India is a country with rich and varied heritage and our country is having natural treasures like mountains, oceans, seas, deserts, valleys, rainforests etc.on one hand, while world class healthcare infrastructure on the other which offers varied kinds of tourism options such as sustainable tourism, rural tourism, adventure tourism, medical tourism, pilgrimage tourism etc. to travelers.

Tourism in India is broadly classified in North Indian tourism, South Indian tourism, West Indian tourism and East Indian tourism. Each part of our country has something different to offer and each part is one of its kinds. Our country attracts tourists not only from all over the world but inbound tourism is also booming.

Present scenario of tourism in India

Travel and tourism is largest service sector in India. It is expected that tourism sector’s contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will grow at the rate of 7.8% yearly in the period 2013-2023. Tourism sector is developing in recent years due to improved infrastructure and connectivity to and from the country. Also a better lodging facility of tourist destinations has been a factor, which has contributed to increase Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTA).

Recent policies, initiatives and campaigns like “ATHITHI DEVO BHAVA” and “INCREDIBLE INDIA” is also proving instrumental in Indian tourism and hospitality industry and attracting more and more foreign tourist arrivals every year.

According to World Travel and Tourism Council, India’s travel and tourism industry is set to grow by about 7.3% in 2015, better than last year, but average spending by foreigners travelling to the country could decline sharply. This year, revenue from domestic tourism is expected to grow 8.2%, compared with 5.1% a year ago. In 2013, travel and tourism industry contributed Rs 2170 billion to country’s GDP and it is expected to rise to Rs 4350 billion in 2024. Tourism is a big employment generator – every USD 1 Million invested in tourism creates 78 jobs. Tourism is the third-largest foreign exchange earner after gems, jewellery and readymade garments

Driving forces of tourism traffic

Domestic Tourist Traffic

ü  Better road connectivity.

ü  Evolving lifestyle.

ü  Increasing purchasing power.

ü  Cheaper air fares.

ü  Govt. LTC/LAC.

ü  Better education.

ü  Aggressive publicity.

International Tourist Traffic

ü  Economical holiday destination.

ü  Business cum pleasure destination.

ü  Improved knowledge about yoga.

ü  Success of campaigns like “INCREDIBLE INDIA”.

ü  The availability of the Visa On Arrival facility.

ü  Development of Kerala and Rajasthan as most popular tourist destinations in India with distinctive brand image.

     Problems

·         Government regulations like ever shifting visa rules frustrate tourist.

·         Poor infrastructure is another problem, tourist often have to face poor roads, sewer, poor hotels and poor communication.

·         Lack of world class airports.

·         Unprofessional workforce.

·         Attacks on women are a major problem and female tourist often doesn’t feel safe travelling in India.

·         Increasing terrorist attacks.

·         Careless behavior of people of our country is also a problem. They are not keeping our country clean, they spit here and there and create a unpleasant environment.

·         Theft and burglary is also a challenging issue.

Future Prospects

The Tourism and hospitality sector is among the top 10 sectors in India to attract the highest foreign direct investment.

According to Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, in the period April 2000- August 2014, this sector attracted around $7441 million of FDI.

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