Challenges in India’s Tourism Sector
Challenges in India’s Tourism Sector
Mains Examination: General Studies Paper 3
(Indian Economy: Issues related to tourism sector)
June 15, 2023
Foreword:
- India's tourism industry is moving forward steadily after coming out of the gloomy phase of COVID, but according to other reports including 'India Tourism Statistics Report 2022', India's tourism industry is still far behind the small countries of the world.
India’s Tourism Sector:
- There are many regions of India, which seem to be taking forward the various dimensions of tourism in the country.
- India, which is full of diversities, has immense potential for tourism. India's culture, music, handicrafts, food and natural beauty have always attracted domestic and foreign tourists.
- Various tourism in the country is growing rapidly.
- These include Beach Tourism, Himalayan Tourism, Adventure Tourism, Wildlife Tourism, Eco Tourism, Heritage Tourism, Spiritual Tourism, Wedding Venue Tourism, Sports Tourism, Ramayana Circuit, Buddha Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Gandhi Circuit Tourism, Cultural Heritage Tourism, Geo Heritage Tourism , Yoga, Ayurveda and medical tourism etc.
At present Status of India’s Tourism Sector:
- India ranks 54th in the Global Tourism Index, 2022. Out of the total tourists around the world, only about 1.64 per cent foreign tourists come to India.
- Significantly, the World Economic Forum has placed India at 114th position in terms of safety in this index.
- After the renovation of the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, the number of tourists registered more than seven crore last year.
- Kedarnath Valley has received 1.5 million pilgrims last year as compared to 4-5 million pilgrims before reconstruction.
- Within a year of the completion of 'Statue of Unity', 27 lakh tourists have visited here.
- Eight lakh foreign tourists visited India in January 2023 as compared to two lakh tourists in January 2022.
Reasons and challenges behind India's lagging behind in the tourism sector:
- At present India should have been the leading tourist country of the world, but it is lagging behind. There are several reasons for this:
- Lack of connectivity with many parts of the country and lack of necessary tourist facilities. Due to lack of these infrastructure many a times tourists face difficulties in reaching the desired tourist places. As a result, the number of domestic and international tourists in India remains very low.
- There are many good tourist places in the country which are still away from the tourism knowledge of the people due to lack of surveys, infrastructure and connectivity.
- As the height of the tourism industry is dependent on the skills of youth equipped with new tourism courses and practical training plays an important role, but till now there is a lack of availability of trained tourist guides in every nook and corner of the country.
- The low number of adequately trained persons for the tourism and hospitality sector is a major challenge for India's tourism industry.
- Foreign tourists visiting India spend an average of $1700, while international travelers spend an average of $2500 in the US and about $5000 in Australia.
- In such a situation, it becomes very difficult for domestic and foreign tourists to get the necessary information due to the lack of proper management of tourist information centers located all over the country. The e-Visa facility has been introduced in the country, but still most of the tourists and visitors to India find the process of applying for a visa to be very complicated.
- The way foreign tourists coming to India also have to face robbery and theft many times and its publicity gets spread all over the world,due to which a negative image is generated in the mind of the tourists about the law and order of the country.
- A major challenge for the Indian tourism sector is the lack of multi-cuisine restaurants, basic health facilities, public transport and sanitation in the tourism sector.
- Although, India has made a lot of progress in the promotion of its tourism sector in the last few years, but still the lack of promotion and awareness about the tourism destinations of India is clearly visible in comparison to other countries of the world.
Initiatives of Government of India for the development of tourism sector:
- An allocation of Rs 1742 crore has been made in the Union Budget for 2023-24 for the development of tourism sector infrastructure.
- The Central Government has launched the 'Vibrant Village Scheme' for villages located near the border and the need to provide support to village-friendly businesses such as small hotels and restaurants has been emphasized
- India sees the whole world as one family through the philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'. This philosophy reflects India's unwavering belief in multilateralism.
- In keeping with India's rich heritage and culture, a unique variety of Cuisine Tourism can be a medium to enhance India's 'soft power' and attract foreign revenue.
- To promote tourism, 50 destinations have been selected, where government help will be given. Apart from this, Swadesh Darshan scheme will be set up for border and village tourism.
- 'Swadesh Darshan Yojana', 'Hriday' scheme for development of heritage sites and 'Prasad' scheme for development of religious tourist places have been brought in the country for the development of tourism circuit.
- In order to ease the arrival of foreign tourists, the government has launched e-Visa system for 166 countries.
- To attract foreigners, the Ministry of Tourism is also developing regions like the North East in such a way that they become accessible, safe and attractive destinations.
- At the same time, through the 'Dharohar God Lo' scheme, some heritage has been adopted by the corporate world etc. Its objective is to connect people to their heritage by developing a sense of responsibility towards it.
- Also, the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification & IITFC portal has been launched by the government in this direction.
Significance of Tourism Sector:
- India's tourism sector can grow manifold through civic amenities, good digital connectivity, good hotels and hospitals, cleanliness and excellent infrastructure.
- An effective solution to the challenges of the tourism sector will strengthen the base of the Indian economy.
- At this time when India is chairing the G-20 and from January 2023, along with the representatives of the G-20 countries, guests from different countries of the world are also showing interest in the tourism destinations of different regions, along with participation in the G-20 working group meetings in India.with this, the tourist places of India will be widely publicized in the world.
- By the year 2030, India's tourism sector will be seen earning up to two hundred and fifty billion dollars by solving the major problems related to tourism in the country. Also, more foreign tourists from more countries of the world can be attracted for tourism in India.
- The target set by the Government of India to earn $56 billion in foreign exchange and create about 140 million jobs through the tourism industry by 2030 through inclusive development, will be seen to be realised.
- The target set by the government to make India a country with a tourism economy of one trillion dollars by the hundredth year of independence, will be fulfilled.
Way Forward:
- Every state needs to change its tourism policy to increase the number of tourists.
- At present there is a need to think out of the box and plan ahead to take tourism to new heights in India.
- According to the latest budget, fifty such tourist places will have to be developed, where every tourist of the world will be attracted to visit India.
- Apps for Indian tourist places will also have to be developed in all the languages listed in the United Nations, so that tourists can reach tourist places by getting accurate information through the app.
Source- JANSATTA
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Questions for the Mains Exam. of PCS and IAS
- Discuss the various challenges before the Indian tourism sector.
- Explain the impact of the major initiatives of the Government of India on the Indian economy for the development of the tourism sector.