India emerged from the shadow of Covid-19 and recorded a 64 per cent increase in foreign tourist arrivals in 2023. This was due to several government initiatives to promote tourism and enhance connectivity. However, India still lags behind European, American and even East Asian countries, which attract the most tourists across the world.
The World Travel and Tourism Council estimates that the sector will contribute $155 trillion to GDP by 2033, representing 11.6 per cent of the global economy and employing about 12 per cent of the population. The tourism ministry should help India capture its share of this.
The Ministry of Culture also plays a vital role in attracting tourists by showcasing India’s vast diversity through festivals, museums and historical monuments. But the perennially low budget allocation has crippled it.
What needs to be done
Single Window Clearance
Stakeholders have been demanding industry status for tourism for a long time. Better coordination between various departments as well as single window clearance for faster approvals and licenses will help
National policy
India needs a national tourism policy to make the sector a national priority. It should also be brought from the State List to the Concurrent List for Centre-State coordination
Target new markets
The Incredible India campaign needs an immediate overhaul. It should refocus on promoting tourism to India in 20 key source markets in addition to the 10 emerging markets. To achieve this, overseas tourism promotion offices should be reopened
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, 56 years, BJP, Minister of Culture and Tourism
, All-rounder Shekhawat, who became MP for the third time from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, was born in Jaisalmer to a government officer father. Shekhawat, who was a member of ABVP, was elected president of his university’s student union in 1992. He also played basketball at the national level
, Big win Shekhawat won Jodhpur in 2014 by a record margin (over 4,10,000 votes). After serving as a minister of state in Modi’s first term, he was made a cabinet minister for Jal Shakti—the nodal ministry for Har Ghar Jal—in 2019, perhaps in recognition of his victory over the son of then Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot.
Suresh Gopi, 65 years BJP
> A great start
Actor-turned-politician Gopi is the first BJP Lok Sabha MP from Kerala. Gopi, elected from Thrissur, was earlier a nominated Rajya Sabha MP (2016-22)
Rao Inderjit Singh, 74, BJP
> Experienced Leader
Rao, a six-time MP from the royal dynasty, represents Gurgaon. He has also been given independent charge of the ministries of Planning and Statistics and Programme Implementation