Introduction
In a visionary move to harness the immense potential of India's tourism sector, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji recently addressed a Post Budget Webinar on 'Developing Tourism in Mission Mode.' This strategic initiative is part of a series of 12 post-budget webinars organized by the government, aiming to garner ideas and suggestions for the effective implementation of initiatives outlined in the Union Budget 2023.
The Prime Minister underscored the importance of collaborative discussions with stakeholders both before and after the budget, emphasizing the government's commitment to maximizing the budget's output and ensuring timely implementation.
Exploring Tourism Potential
PM Modi delved into the key parameters for developing tourist destinations, emphasizing the potential of the location, ease of travel, and innovative promotional strategies. The Prime Minister enumerated various facets of tourism, ranging from coastal and beach tourism to adventure, wildlife, eco, heritage, spiritual, and sports tourism.
Citing examples like the Ramayan Circuit, Buddha Circuit, and Gandhi Circuit, he stressed the need for collective efforts towards the holistic development of destinations.
Historical Context and Transformation
Reflecting on India's rich cultural heritage, Shri Modi acknowledged the historical significance of yatras and pilgrimages in the country. He lamented the neglect and lack of development in these places for decades, attributing it to centuries of slavery and post-independence political neglect.
However, he celebrated the positive change, exemplified by the Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi, where reconstruction led to a significant increase in tourist footfall, creating economic opportunities.
Impact of Infrastructure Development
The Prime Minister underscored the direct correlation between infrastructure development and tourist numbers. Examples like the Statue of Unity and Pavagadh in Gujarat highlighted how improved facilities attracted more visitors.
PM Modi emphasized the need for cleanliness, digital connectivity, good hotels, hospitals, and overall excellent infrastructure to boost India's tourism sector.
Tourist Profile and Strategies
Addressing the surge in foreign tourist arrivals, the Prime Minister highlighted the increasing allure of India, revealing that 8 lakh foreign tourists visited in January this year, a significant rise from the 2 lakhs in the same month the previous year. Emphasizing the importance of profiling such tourists, he advocated for a specialized strategy to attract those with the highest spending capacity.
The Prime Minister provided insights into spending patterns, noting that foreign tourists in India spend an average of $1700, contrasting with international travelers who spend an average of $2500 in America and approximately $5000 in Australia. He underscored India's appeal to high-spending tourists and urged every state to align its tourism policy accordingly. Illustrating the potential, he mentioned bird watchers who spend months camping in the country, emphasizing the need for tailored policies to attract such visitors.
Recognizing a fundamental challenge in the tourism sector, the Prime Minister pointed out the lack of professional tourist guides and advocated for certificate courses in local colleges to address this gap. He suggested that guides in specific tourist destinations should adopt a distinct dress or uniform for easy identification, acknowledging that tourists often have numerous questions, and guides play a crucial role in providing answers.
Promoting awareness and infrastructure development, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of school and college trips to the northeast, aiming to inspire more people to contribute to the region's tourism infrastructure. He also highlighted the potential of wedding and sports destinations, urging their promotion.
Additionally, he insisted on the development of 50 must-visit tourist destinations globally, emphasizing the creation of apps in all languages listed in the United Nations for these destinations. The Prime Minister's vision revolves around not just increasing tourist numbers but also enhancing their experience and encouraging sustainable tourism practices.
Initiatives for Future Growth
In order to attain these goals, the government has introduced several new schemes and policies that are set to transform the Indian tourism sector;
The Union government is set to introduce a comprehensive cruise tourism policy aligning with international standards and practices. This policy will cover critical aspects such as GST, taxation, excise, and custom duties at both the central and state levels, aiming to promote the growth of this burgeoning industry within India.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) is actively considering the development of cruise tourism and lighthouse tourism under its flagship Sagarmala Programme. Projects identified in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and tourism development departments of maritime state governments are aimed at fostering tourism in maritime states.
The Union Government, envisioning India as the premier cruise hub in the Asia Pacific region by 2030, has initiated significant steps. These include the establishment of state-of-the-art cruise terminals, implementation of standardized procedures, and the introduction of e-visa facilities. The objective is to increase the annual number of cruise passengers in India to 18 lakhs by 2030, a substantial increase from the current figure of 4.72 lakhs.
In alignment with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the recent Global Maritime India Summit 2023 in Mumbai, India is projected to have 25 operational cruise terminals by 2047. This ambitious plan anticipates an estimated annual passenger count of approximately 5 million cruise passengers per year.
A notable recent development in this trajectory is the conditional Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) exemption granted to foreign-flagged vessels when converting to coastal runs. This exemption has significantly alleviated the financial burden on foreign cruise operators.
The impact of these initiatives is evident in the statistics. From 102 cruise ship calls and 84,000 passengers handled in 2013-14, the numbers have surged to 227 calls and 4.72 lakh passengers during 2022-23. This represents a remarkable increase of 223 per cent in cruise calls and an impressive 461 per cent in cruise passengers over the last nine years.
Conclusion
India's tourism sector is undergoing a transformative journey under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The comprehensive approach, encompassing infrastructure development, strategic initiatives, and policy reforms, aims to position India as a global tourism hub. As the nation embraces its rich cultural and historical heritage, the government's commitment to maximizing the potential of the tourism sector promises not only economic growth but also an enriched travel experience for visitors from around the world.
With initiatives ranging from the rejuvenation of historical sites to the promotion of cruise tourism, India is poised to emerge as a top destination, offering a diverse and enriching experience for tourists worldwide. The multifaceted strategies outlined by the Prime Minister, coupled with the government's focus on professionalism, infrastructure, and targeted policies, signify a robust vision for India's tourism sector, paving the way for sustained growth and global recognition.
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