With the ongoing G20 Tourism Expo, India’s Ministry of Tourism is committed to developing the tourism sector under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who coincides with India’s G20 Presidency and celebration of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav – Amrit Kaal. The ministry has planned to develop 50 new tourism destinations and envisages making 59 new air routes operational to boost tourism in India. Shri Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, made this announcement during the inaugural session of the G20 Tourism Expo organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, along with FICCI and the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan.
India’s Tourism Sector Shows Strong Recovery
Despite the pandemic’s challenges, India’s tourism sector has shown one of the strongest recoveries in the Asia Pacific region, with 6.19 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2022, registering a growth of 305% compared to 1.52 million in 2021. To promote tourism further, the ministry plans to promote Green Tourism and open up 50 new tourism destinations and launch publicity in overseas markets.
Ministry of Tourism’s Initiatives
The Ministry of Tourism has already organized two G20 Tourism Working Group Meetings and is exploring promoting green tourism, digitalization, skill development, promoting MSMEs and Destination Management. Moreover, the government is focusing on robust infrastructure development as a whole.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has recommended 59 new routes under the Udaan Scheme, which is successful, and 51 tourism routes have already been operationalized, said Shri Singh. He also highlighted the initiatives taken for the deepening of the tourism sector in India.
Rajasthan’s Plan to Promote Rural Tourism
The state government of Rajasthan plans to revive 23 old airstrips spread all over the state to give a boost to the tourism sector in the state, according to Mr Vishwendra Singh, Minister of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan. Speaking at the G20 Tourism Expo, he said that the state government plans to re-develop the 23 airstrips with private sector support under its newly introduced Rural Tourism Policy. This will provide a big impetus to tourism in Rajasthan, especially in rural areas, and create immense employment opportunities.
Rajasthan’s Rural Tourism Policy
Rajasthan has also formulated a path-breaking Rural Tourism policy that many other states should emulate. The policy is expected to boost wildlife tourism, and cultural and religious tourism across the state, said Smt. Gayatri Rathore, Principal Secretary – Tourism, Art & Culture, Government of Rajasthan. Rajasthan is home to about 75% of heritage properties in India, many of which have been renovated and restored through public-private partnerships and are now being used for royal weddings and film shoots.
The Tourism Industry’s View
Welcoming the delegates and dignitaries at the expo, Shri Dipak Deva, Chairperson, the Tourism & Culture Committee of FICCI, said that India’s tourism worldwide recovery had been phenomenal and that India is leading from the front. He hoped to keep the momentum aiming at 11 million FTAs, adding that India’s G20 Presidency would add strength to India’s drive.
Dr Jyotsna Suri, Past President, FICCI & CMD of The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, said that India’s G20 Presidency is an incredible opportunity not only to host meetings but also a fantastic platform to showcase India’s diverse culture, cuisine, heritage, and its treasure of tourism destinations.
Shri Randhir Vikram Singh, President of the Indian Heritage Hotel Association & CMD of Hotel Castle Mandawa, expressed that India has a rich heritage and Rajasthan has a lot of heritage sites to showcase.
Shri Shailesh Pathak, Secretary General of FICCI, delivered the Vote of Thanks and predicted that by 2030, as India becomes the 3rd largest economy in the world, tourism outflow from India is going to be 5 times today’s numbers, and the inflow of foreign tourists is going to be 10 times the current level, leading to green & sustainable job creation.
Inauguration of G20 Tourism Expo
The inauguration of the G20 Tourism Expo was attended by several dignitaries, including the Ambassador of the Republic of South Korea to India, His Excellency Mr Chang Jae-bok. The event was attended by stalwarts of the tourism, travel and hospitality sector of India, who will deliberate on the future of India’s travel and tourism industry.
The G20 Tourism Expo is being organized simultaneously with the 12th edition of Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB), one of the biggest events of inbound tourism in India, co-organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, and FICCI. The special G20 Tourism Expo will include panel discussions, ambassadors’ roundtables, cultural events, a game of golf, and other programs.
GITB will witness over 11,000 B2B meetings of 283 tour operators from 56 countries, including 150+ from G20 countries, with the representatives of Tourism Boards from 11 states namely – Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh, apart from Rajasthan along with more than 290 Indian Exhibitors.
The event is supported by leading national and regional associations like the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Rajasthan (HRAR), the Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA), and the Rajasthan Association of Tour Operators (RATO). The first edition of GITB was held in 2008 and has grown from strength to strength, and is considered a force to reckon with in the inbound travel mart of India.
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