Mindful of the growing importance of tourism in India, the Ministry of Tourism has drafted a National Tourism Policy incorporating suggestions received from Central Ministries, State Governments/UT Administrations and Industry Stakeholders. The draft of the National Tourism Policy, based on various developments since the last policy was created in 2002, has also taken into cognizance important recommendations from NITI Aayog, the Sectoral Group of Secretaries, international best practices from organizations like the UNWTO, and policies and strategies developed by other nations. 

The new Policy is a holistic foundation for supporting sustainable and responsible growth of the tourism sector in the country. Its objectives are: to include increasing the framework conditions for the country’s tourist industry’s growth, assisting the travel and tourism sector, and promoting related businesses.

Strategic goals

The drafted National Tourism Policy seeks to enhance the contribution of tourism to India’s economy by boosting traveller visitation, stay and spend—as well as making and promoting India as an all-year-round tourist destination. The Policy will also serve as a driving force to create jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities in the tourism sector and ensure the supply of a skilled workforce.

Other key points of the strategy are: to enhance the competitiveness of tourism sector and attract private sector investment; to preserve and enhance the cultural and natural resources of the country and to ensure sustainable, responsible, ethical, and inclusive development of tourism in the country. 

Guiding principles
The Draft Policy puts special emphasis on:

Promoting sustainable, responsible and inclusive tourism by minimizing the negative impact of tourism on social, environmental and social, environmental and economic aspects and maximizing the positive impact

Furthermore, it advocates responsible tourism to bring all stakeholders together to take responsibility for achieving sustainable tourism, and to create better places for people to live in and for people to visit. 

Priority will also be given to ensuring inclusive growth, creating opportunities for marginalized sections of society including people living in remote areas. 

It aims to promote digitalization, innovation and technology in the tourism sector to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the digital economy.

To follow a ‘whole of government’ approach to address the major and multifaceted challenges faced by the tourism industry and to develop the tourism sector in the country.  

To follow a destination-centric and tourist-centric approach to enhance the tourist experience throughout his/her journey. 

Growth in the tourism sector has to be led by the Private Sector and the public sector has to play an enabling and facilitating role. 

Green Tourism activities will serve as a catalyst to accelerate sustainable tourism. Green tourism or tourism in the green economy focuses on tourism activities that can be maintained, or sustained, indefinitely in their social, economic, cultural, and environmental contexts. 

Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat: Promoting Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat is pivotal to enhancing interaction and promote mutual understanding between people of different States/UTs, to promote a sustained and structured cultural connection in tourism and related areas of culture, traditions in music, cuisine, sports and sharing of best practices, etc.

Estimates reveal that India’s tourism sector will grow at 7-9% CAGR in the coming decade. By 2030, it will contribute $250 Bn—$56 Bn in foreign exchange earnings and 25 Mn foreign arrivals—to the national GDP, creating 137 million jobs. The government remains committed to realising the potential of the tourism sector sustainably to ensure that the tourist spots and wildlife-sensitive places are preserved for future generations to also enjoy them.

For more details about Green Tourism India Conclave, Click here.