• India's tourism sector has seen a surge in foreign tourist arrivals this year, with approximately 61.91 lakh tourists visiting the country in the first eight months.
• The tourism sector's contribution to the country's GDP has also seen a significant increase, rising from 1.75 per cent in 2021-22 to 5 per cent in 2022-23.
• The 'Chalo India' initiative has been launched to encourage the Indian diaspora to become ambassadors for 'Incredible India'.
• The Ministry of Tourism has partnered with various ministries to improve the quality of infrastructure and facilities at tourist destinations across the country.

India's tourism sector has seen a significant surge in foreign tourist arrivals this year, with approximately 61.91 lakh tourists visiting the country in the first eight months, according to the government. This figure marks an increase from the 59.71 lakh arrivals recorded during the same period last year.

The Union Tourism Minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, revealed these statistics during the first day of the Parliament's winter session. He stated that the total foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) last year stood at 9.52 million (90.52 lakh).

Promoting India as a Prime Tourist Destination

The minister also referred to the UNWTO Barometer published in September 2024, which recorded export revenues from international tourism in 2023 at $1.8 trillion. This figure includes receipts from tourism activities as well as passenger transport. The tourism sector's contribution to the country's GDP has also seen a significant increase, rising from 1.75 per cent in 2021-22 to 5 per cent in 2022-23.

This growth is a testament to the government's efforts to promote India as a prime tourist destination. The Ministry of Tourism has been actively undertaking various promotional activities in important and potential tourist-generating markets. The objective is to showcase India's tourism potential and promote tourism in the country, including the state of Himachal Pradesh.

Chalo India Initiative and Infrastructure Development

One such initiative is the 'Chalo India' initiative, launched to encourage the vast Indian diaspora to become ambassadors for 'Incredible India'. The initiative urges them to encourage their five non-Indian friends to visit India every year. A 'Chalo India' portal has also been developed for the registration of the Indian diaspora, which currently stands at about five million OCI card holders. Under this initiative, each OCI holder can nominate up to five people, with the total number of free e-visas to be granted under the initiative being one lakh.

The Ministry of Tourism has also taken several steps to improve the quality of infrastructure and facilities at various tourist destinations across the country. This is being done under schemes such as 'Swadesh Darshan', 'PRASHAD', and 'Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development', in collaboration with States/UTs, Central agencies and private stakeholders.

The Ministry of Tourism has partnered with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Railways, and Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways to achieve this goal. The 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive' (PRASHAD) scheme provides financial assistance to the state governments and union territories administration for the development of tourism infrastructure at the pre-identified pilgrimage destinations and heritage cities.

This surge in tourism is reminiscent of the growth seen in the early 2000s when India launched the 'Incredible India' campaign. The campaign, which aimed to promote India's rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes, was a significant success, leading to a steady increase in foreign tourist arrivals.

The current growth in the tourism sector and the government's efforts to promote India as a prime tourist destination are a continuation of this success. The 'Chalo India' initiative and the various schemes aimed at improving tourism infrastructure are steps in the right direction, ensuring that India continues to attract tourists from around the world.