27 Nov The potential tourism sector to boost Indian economic
SYLLABUS MAPPING:
GS-3-Economic- The potential tourism sector to boost Indian economic
FOR PRELIMS:
What are the key government initiatives related to tourism in india and various important tourist circuits in India?
FOR MAINS:
What are the key regions in India that attract tourists, and how do the different tourism circuits (e.g., Buddhist Circuit, Coastal Circuit, etc.) promote regional tourism?
Why in the news?
Tourism sector India:
1. Key Data:
Tourism is a significant sector of India’s economy, contributing to employment, GDP growth, and cultural exchange. Below are some key statistics related to the tourism industry:
Domestic Tourism: India witnesses an enormous volume of domestic tourists every year. In 2022, over 1.8 billion domestic tourist visits were recorded.
International Tourism: India also attracts millions of international tourists. In 2022, India received 6.85 million international visitors. The number fluctuates each year, impacted by factors such as global travel restrictions, exchange rates, and international relations.
Tourism-Related Employment: Tourism is a major source of employment in India, directly and indirectly supporting over 87 million jobs, accounting for around 8% of total employment in the country.
2. Contribution to GDP
The tourism sector contributed around 6.8% of India’s GDP in 2022 (including direct, indirect, and induced contributions).
Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE): Tourism is a major contributor to foreign exchange earnings in India, with $30 billion in earnings from foreign tourists in 2022.
3. Major Regions and Places in India for Tourism
These themes include the Buddhist Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Desert Circuit, Eco Circuit, Heritage Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Krishna Circuit, North-East Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Sufi Circuit, Tirthankar Circuit, Tribal Circuit and Wildlife Circuit.
4. Schemes and Initiatives in Indian Tourism
Dekho Apna Desh: An initiative by the Ministry of Tourism to encourage domestic tourism. It promotes local destinations through a digital platform and public outreach campaigns.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: Launched in 2014, this scheme focuses on the development of theme-based tourist circuits. Examples include the Ramayana Circuit and the Buddhist Circuit.
Prasad Scheme (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive): This initiative aims to develop and upgrade infrastructure at religious destinations, making them more accessible and comfortable for pilgrims.
Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi Initiative: Launched on World Tourism Day, this initiative focuses on responsible tourism. It connects tourists with “tourist-friendly” locals, known as Paryatan Mitras (male ambassadors) and Paryatan Didis (female ambassadors), who act as guides and storytellers for destinations.
Atithi Devo Bhava Campaign: This campaign aims to promote India’s culture of hospitality and ensure tourists receive a warm welcome.
Fairs and Festivals Promotion: The government promotes Indian festivals and fairs such as Diwali, Holi, and Durga Puja to attract international tourists, showcasing India’s cultural heritage.
National Tourism Policy: Aimed at creating a vision for sustainable tourism development, this policy focuses on responsible tourism, conservation of heritage, and providing better facilities for tourists.
Skill Development and Certification Programs: Under the Incredible India initiative, the government has also rolled out programs to train people working in the tourism sector, such as tour guides, hotel staff, and other professionals.
Potential of the Indian tourism sector:
1. Diverse Offerings: India is a leading destination for cultural, spiritual, and nature-based tourism, with attractions like UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Himalayas, beaches, and vibrant festivals.
2. Growing Domestic and International Tourism: The domestic tourism market is growing rapidly, driven by rising income levels and a middle-class population eager to explore local destinations. Internationally, improved visa policies and global marketing campaigns are drawing more tourists.
3. Infrastructure Development: Investments in airports, roads, hotels, and other amenities are enhancing the travel experience, making destinations more accessible to both domestic and international tourists.
4. Women Empowerment: Tourism provides opportunities for women’s participation in the workforce, fostering entrepreneurship and offering employment in hospitality, guiding, and other tourism-related sectors.
5. Rural Development: Tourism can drive economic growth in rural areas by creating livelihood opportunities, promoting local handicrafts, agriculture, and tourism services, and supporting sustainable rural development.
6. Remote Development: Tourism acts as a catalyst for the development of remote regions by improving infrastructure, creating job opportunities, and raising local standards of living.
7. Preservation of Indian Culture: Cultural tourism plays a vital role in preserving India’s diverse heritage and promoting local festivals, art forms, and historical landmarks while ensuring their sustainability.
8. Employment Generation: The tourism sector generates significant employment across various industries, including hospitality, transport, entertainment, and administration, contributing to overall economic growth.
What are the key challenges faced by the Indian tourism sector?
1. Infrastructure Deficiencies: Many tourist destinations lack essential infrastructure such as proper roads, clean facilities, and public transport. Connectivity to remote areas remains underdeveloped.
2. Safety Concerns: Issues like crimes against tourists and natural disasters raise safety concerns, potentially damaging India’s reputation as a safe destination.
3. Environmental Degradation: Over-tourism in popular destinations causes overcrowding, pollution, and environmental damage. Poor waste management also contributes to these problems.
4. Seasonal Dependency: Many tourist destinations depend on peak seasons, leading to fluctuating revenues and job instability during the off-season.
5. Lack of Skilled Workforce: A shortage of trained professionals in the tourism industry affects service quality and the overall visitor experience.
6. Bureaucratic Hurdles: Slow government processes, complicated licensing, and visa issues create delays in tourism-related development and investment.
7. Marketing Gaps: Despite campaigns like Incredible India, under-promotion of lesser-known destinations and inconsistent branding hinder the global visibility of India’s tourism sector.
Way Forward :
1. Promoting Environmental Sustainability: Focus on minimizing the ecological footprint of tourism activities, promoting eco-friendly practices, and encouraging responsible tourism to preserve natural resources.
2. Protecting Biodiversity: Safeguard India’s rich biodiversity by integrating conservation efforts into tourism policies, ensuring that tourism activities do not negatively impact wildlife and ecosystems.
3. Promoting Economic Sustainability: Foster economic growth through tourism while ensuring that local communities benefit from tourism activities, creating jobs, and promoting local enterprises.
4. Promoting Socio-Cultural Sustainability: Preserve and promote India’s cultural heritage and traditions, ensuring that tourism development respects local cultures and enhances the well-being of local populations.
5. Scheme for Certification of Sustainable Tourism: Implement a certification system to identify and encourage tourism operators who adopt sustainable practices, helping travellers make informed choices.
6. IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) and Capacity Building: Raise awareness about sustainable tourism practices and build the capacity of local communities, stakeholders, and businesses to implement these practices effectively.
7. Governance: Strengthen governance structures to ensure effective regulation, monitoring, and coordination among government agencies, the private sector, and local communities, ensuring that sustainable tourism policies are implemented efficiently.
Conclusion:
India’s tourism sector holds significant potential for growth thanks to its diverse cultural, spiritual, and natural attractions. The government’s initiatives, such as Paryatan Mitra and Swadesh Darshan, are improving infrastructure, promoting responsible tourism, and enhancing the overall tourist experience. However, challenges like infrastructure deficiencies, safety concerns, and environmental degradation need to be addressed for sustainable development.
Download Plutus IAS Current Affairs ENG MED 27th Nov 2024 pdf
Prelims Question:
Q. Consider the following statements:
1. The Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi initiatives were launched to connect tourists with local ambassadors who promote responsible tourism.
2. Swadesh Darshan focuses on the development of infrastructure at religious destinations and does not include the promotion of theme-based tourist circuits.
3. The Dekho Apna Desh initiative aims to encourage domestic tourism by promoting local destinations through digital platforms and outreach campaigns.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
Answer: A
Mains Question:
Q. “Evaluate the effectiveness of initiatives like Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi in promoting responsible tourism and involving local communities in the sustainable development of India’s tourism sector.”
(250 words, 15 marks)
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