Pitching India As A Signature Destination : Daily Current Affairs

Date: 28/09/2022

Relevance: GS-2: Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation.

Key Phrases: Dharamshala Declaration 2022, world leader by 2047, revenue goal of $1 trillion by 2047, National Tourism policy, National Green Tourism Mission, whole Government approach, G20 presidency.

Why in News?

The ‘Dharamshala Declaration 2022’ was released at the end of the three-day national conference on tourism attended by ministers from 12 states, besides Governors, UT administrators, and central government officials.
‘The Dharamshala Declaration’ aims to recognize India’s role in contributing towards global tourism as well as focusing on recovery by also promoting domestic tourism — which has been overlooked for a long.

Goals under ‘Dharamshala Declaration’:

Recovery to the pre-pandemic level by 2024
$250 billion contribution to the GDP by 2030
To become a world leader by 2047
A long-term revenue goal of $1 trillion by 2047

Rethinking and reimagining tourism:

The Government of India’s Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme was recently enhanced by ₹50,000 crores, from ₹4.5 lakh crore to ₹5 lakh crore to benefit enterprises in hospitality and related sectors such as hotels and restaurants, marriage halls, travel agents, tour operators, adventure and heritage facilities.
The Ministry of Tourism, after wide-ranging consultations, has prepared a draft National Tourism Policy 2022, which aims at improving the framework conditions for tourism development in the country, supporting tourism industries, strengthening tourism support functions, and developing tourism sub-sectors.
The guiding principles include promoting sustainable, responsible, and inclusive tourism in line with our civilizational ethos.
From Gautama to Gandhi, India has always spoken about the inherent need to live harmoniously with nature and within our means. The National Green Tourism Mission aims to institutionalize this approach.

Key Strategic Objectives of National Tourism policy

To enhance the contribution of tourism to the Indian economy by increasing visitation, stay, and spending and making India a year-round tourist destination.
To create jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities in the tourism sector and ensure the supply of skilled workforce.
To enhance the competitiveness of the tourism sector and attract private sector investment,
To preserve and enhance the cultural and natural resources of the country.
To ensure sustainable, responsible, and inclusive development of tourism in the country
It also aims to give impetus to digitalization, innovation, and technology through the National Digital Tourism Mission and skilling through the Tourism and Hospitality Sector Skill Mission.

The whole Government approach:

The Policy follows a whole Government approach to address the major and multifaceted challenges faced by the tourism industry and to develop the tourism sector in the country.
Due to its cross-cutting and fragmented nature, tourism policy development is an increasingly complex process, with longer time scales and a wider scope than in the past.
The whole of Government approach not only amongst the line Ministries of Central Government but also between Central and State Governments as both are involved in tourism in a variety of capacities including:
- marketing and promotion;
- border security;
- the regulation of markets such as aviation;
- planning regulations;
- controlling or managing tourism attractions such as national parks;
- skills development; and
- funding the development of roads and other infrastructure.

National Green Tourism Mission:

Green tourism catalyses action for the promotion of sustainable tourism, which takes full account of current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities.
The Policy aims to develop Green Tourism by mainstreaming sustainability into the tourism sector, which can aspire to be
- More energy efficient and more climate sound;
- Consume less water;
- Minimize waste;
- Conserve biodiversity, cultural heritage, and traditional values;
- Support intercultural understanding and tolerance;
- Generate local income and integrate local communities to improve livelihoods and reduce poverty.
- Making tourism businesses more sustainable benefits local communities;
- Raises awareness and support for the sustainable use of natural resources.

Potential during the G20 presidency:

The country has an opportunity to position itself as a major tourism destination during India’s presidency of the G20 (December 2022- November 2023).
India’s age-old dictum of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ will come to the fore as it welcomes delegates from the 20 countries/European Union.
Delegates include personnel from the central banks and finance ministries of the G20 countries, close to 15 working groups ranging from anti-corruption and agriculture to health, culture and tourism and foreign ministers, and other ministerial meetings. All these tracks would mean that India will be hosting close to 200 meetings.
Even as the final list of cities is being finalized based on a set of transparent criteria such as conference infrastructure, accommodation availability, rankings in Swachh Bharat and other parameters, close to 35 cities with this potential has already been identified.
During this time, the plan is to ensure due rigor and dedication and showcase the country’s cultural richness while welcoming the world to India.
The Ministry of Tourism also plans to work with other Ministries to bring in necessary interventions such as visa reforms, ease of travel, traveller-friendly, and improved immigration facilities at airports.

Conclusion:

By mid-2024, India would be at pre-pandemic levels, achieving $150 billion as GDP contribution from tourism and $30 billion in foreign exchange earnings with 15 million foreign tourist arrivals.
By 2030, India is estimated to grow at a 7%-9% compounded annual growth rate and it expects the enabling policy framework to bring in $250 billion in GDP contribution from tourism, 140 million jobs in the tourism sector, and $56 billion in foreign exchange earnings with more than 25 million foreign arrivals.
The Ministry is committed to delivering on these goals to ensure the positioning of India as one of the world’s best tourism destinations by 2047.

Source: The Hindu

Mains Question:

Q. The draft National Tourism Policy 2022 aspires to make India one of the topmost destinations for sustainable and responsible tourism. Examine the major features of the policy and the potential challenges associated with it.