The Ministry of Tourism celebrated World Tourism Day on 27th September 2024, emphasizing the theme “Tourism and Peace.”
The focus was on how tourism promotes global peace by encouraging cross-cultural interactions and fostering mutual understanding.
Significance of World Tourism Day
History: World Tourism Day, first observed in 1980 by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), aims to raise awareness about the social, cultural, and economic importance of tourism.
The event commemorates the adoption of UNWTO’s statutes in 1975, marking the organization’s official creation five years later.
UNWTO promotes tourism as a catalyst for economic development, inclusive growth, and environmental sustainability while supporting global tourism knowledge and policy advancement.
The organization includes 160 Member States (India included), 6 Associate Members, 2 Observers, and over 500 Affiliate Members.
UNWTO’s headquarters is in Madrid, Spain.
Annual Themes: Each year, World Tourism Day is celebrated with a specific theme hosted by a different country, emphasizing the role of tourism in various regions.
In 2024, Georgia will host the event with the theme “Tourism and Peace.” This highlights tourism’s potential to support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in eradicating poverty and managing resources sustainably. Additionally, it underscores eco-tourism’s contribution to SDG 13 on climate action.
Indian Government’s Initiatives:
The Ministry of Tourism launched the Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi initiative on World Tourism Day (September 27).
About Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi:
This initiative aims to enrich the tourist experience by involving local residents as Ambassadors and Storytellers.
It encourages people working in the tourism industry, such as cab drivers, restaurant workers, and shopkeepers, to treat tourists with great respect, embodying the “Athithi Devo Bhava” (Guest is God) principle.
The pilot program was tested in six tourist locations across India:
- Orchha (Madhya Pradesh)
- Gandikota (Andhra Pradesh)
- Bodh Gaya (Bihar)
- Aizawl (Mizoram)
- Jodhpur (Rajasthan)
- Sri Vijaya Puram (Andaman & Nicobar Islands)
Since August 15, 2023, approximately 3,000 individuals have completed training in these areas.
The initiative focuses on training women and youth, enabling locals to turn their knowledge of the area into income-generating opportunities. After completing the training, participants can work as homestay owners, cultural guides, adventure guides, and more.
The Ministry plans to recognize these trained individuals as Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi.
Additionally, the initiative provides general training in digital literacy to ensure that local experiences are easily accessible to tourists online.
How Does Tourism Promote Peace?
Cultural Exchange: Tourism encourages understanding and tolerance among diverse cultures, reducing prejudices through shared experiences.
Economic Empowerment: Tourism, contributing 10% of global GDP and accounting for one in every 10 jobs, fosters economic growth, job creation, and local development, helping to alleviate poverty and reduce inequality, which are often root causes of conflict.
Sustainability: Responsible tourism practices conserve natural and cultural heritage, promoting community pride and reducing resource-based conflicts.
Good Governance: A thriving tourism sector motivates governments to ensure stability and develop policies that promote peace and development.
Gender Equality: Tourism empowers women and local communities, such as through India’s Tribal Home Stays initiative under the Swadesh Darshan program, which promotes social equity and provides alternative livelihoods for tribal communities.
Pandemic Recovery: Tourism helps rebuild economies and foster peace in post-conflict regions, as seen in Rwanda, where tourism played a key role in economic growth following the pandemic.
India’s Travel and Tourism Industry Outlook
Global Ranking: India ranks 39th in the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024, excelling in natural, cultural, and non-leisure resources used for business, education, and more.
Economic Contribution: India’s travel and tourism sector contributed USD 199.6 billion to the economy in 2022.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the hotel and tourism sector reached USD 17.2 billion from April 2000 to March 2024, representing 2.54% of total FDI inflow.
Domestic Tourism Growth: Domestic tourist visits surged to 250 crore in 2023, almost doubling from 128 crore in 2014.
Government Initiatives:
Key policies include the National Tourism Policy 2022, Dekho Apna Desh initiative, Swadesh Darshan Scheme, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, and e-Visa facility.
Growth Projections:
The Indian tourism industry is expected to grow annually by 7.1%, with the government targeting USD 56 billion in foreign exchange earnings and 140 million jobs by 2030 through initiatives like cruise tourism and eco-tourism.
Domestic visitor spending grew by 20.4% in 2022, and international visitor spending increased by 81.9%. Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) reached 9.24 million in 2023, with expectations of reaching 30.5 million by 2028.
Challenges Facing India’s Tourism Sector
Safety and Security: Incidents of crime, including theft and assault, particularly against women travelers, create concerns that can deter tourism.
Inadequate Infrastructure: Many tourist destinations, especially in remote areas like the Northeast, lack essential infrastructure such as air, rail, and road connectivity, limiting access and hindering travel.
Unskilled Human Resources: The sector faces a shortage of trained staff, including multilingual guides, which can negatively impact the experience of international tourists.
Unsustainable Practices: Ecologically sensitive areas like the Himalayas face degradation due to unsustainable tourism practices, leading to resource depletion, habitat destruction, and strain on local communities.
Pollution and Climate Change: Major tourist sites, including the Taj Mahal, suffer from pollution. Climate change also increases the risk of natural disasters, threatening tourism infrastructure and heritage sites.
India’s Tourism Strengths
Cultural Heritage: India’s rich history, diverse languages, and traditions make it a global cultural hub, home to UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Taj Mahal, Hampi, and Jaipur’s forts.
Natural Beauty: India’s 70% share of the Himalayas, 7,000 km of coastline, deserts, and extensive forests make it a prime destination for eco-tourism and adventure activities like trekking, river rafting, and safaris.
Adventure Tourism Potential: With abundant adventure opportunities, India is poised to become a leading destination for activities such as paragliding and wildlife safaris.
Affordable Travel: India’s low travel costs compared to many Western countries attract a wide range of tourists, catering to various income levels.
Warm Hospitality: The Indian tradition of “Atithi Devo Bhava” (Guest is God) ensures a welcoming environment for tourists. Locals are often eager to share their rich cultural heritage with visitors, enhancing their overall experience.
Culinary Diversity: India’s diverse cuisine, known for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, provides a wide array of culinary experiences, from street food to regional specialities.
Growing Infrastructure: Initiatives like Bharatmala are improving tourism infrastructure through airport expansion, railway development, and highway upgrades. Investments in hospitality and skill development aim to boost visitor experiences.
Way Forward
Enhance Connectivity: Invest in transportation initiatives like Vande Bharat trains and infrastructure improvements to boost access to remote destinations.
Simplify Taxes: Advocate for streamlined tax policies, including lower GST rates, to reduce costs for tourists and businesses.
Improve Safety: Implement tourism police and strict security measures to enhance tourist safety and confidence.
Skill Development: Focus on training tourism staff to improve service quality and cultural sensitivity.
Utilize Digital Technology: Leverage tools like the Digi Yatra app and Bhashini for multilingual support, and increase the visibility of destinations through social media and travel websites.
Promote Staycations: Hotels can capitalize on staycation trends by offering curated experiences for stress relief and local tourism, thereby boosting occupancy and supporting local economies.
Foster International Partnerships: Establish travel bubbles with countries like Russia and explore the sister city concept to enhance cultural exchanges, economic collaboration, and tourism initiatives.
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