Tourism and Sustainable Transformation

Context:

World Tourism Day 2025 focuses on “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” highlighting India’s efforts to promote sustainable and inclusive tourism.

Significance of Tourism

Economic Contribution: Tourism contributed ?15.73 lakh crore (5.22% of GDP) in 2023-24 and generated 36.9 million direct and 47.72 million indirect jobs.
Foreign Exchange Earnings: Inbound tourism brought Rs. 51,532 crores.
Cultural Exchange: Tourism fosters people-to-people connectivity, heritage preservation, and cultural diplomacy.

World Tourism Day & Global Context

Observed annually on 27th September, initiated by UNWTO in 1980.
2025 theme: “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”.
Host Country for 2025: Malaysia (Melaka): World Tourism Conference, 27–29 September.
Highlights tourism’s role in achieving SDGs, socio-economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

Key Initiatives by India

Swadesh Darshan Scheme (SDS & SD2.0)
- Launched 2014-15; revamped in 2023 as Swadesh Darshan 2.0.
- Objective: Develop thematic circuits: Spiritual, Coastal, Tribal, Buddhist, Himalayan, Heritage, Eco, and Cultural.
- Investment: ?5,290.30 crore (SDS); ?2,108.87 crore (SD2.0).
- Major Sites: Bodh Gaya, Hampi, Amritsar, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Tehri Lake, etc.
- Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD): 36 projects across 4 themes: Culture & Heritage, Spiritual & Eco-Tourism, Amrit Dharohar, Vibrant Villages. Completion by March 2026.
PRASHAD Scheme
- Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive.
- Focus: Accessibility, convenience, cleanliness, security at pilgrimage sites.
- Coverage: 54 projects across 28 states/UTs; ?1,168 crore approved.
- Examples: Somnath, Patna Sahib, Tripura Sundari Temple, Hazratbal Shrine.
Dekho Apna Desh Initiative
- Launched 2020; promotes domestic tourism via webinars, quizzes, roadshows, polls, and social media.
- Engages citizens in identifying favourite destinations.
Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP-I & II)
- Target: Border villages in strategic regions for livelihood creation, skill development, and tourism promotion.
- Budget VVP-II: ?6,839 crore till 2028-29.
- States Covered: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, J&K, Ladakh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, UP, West Bengal.
SASCI Scheme
- Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (launched 2025).
- Goal: Develop iconic tourist centres with end-to-end tourist experiences.
- Funding: ?3,295.76 crore; 100% central funding.
- Example: Jal Mahal, Jaipur.
Capacity Building for Service Providers (CBSP)
- Skill development in tourism sector, focusing on women, tribal groups, and local communities.
- Paryatan Mitra/Paryatan Didi initiatives empower community-based tourism services.
Digital Initiatives
- Incredible India Digital Portal: Tourist-centric platform; provides information, bookings, itineraries, and AI chatbot assistance.
- Content Hub: Repository of images, videos, and brochures for global tourism promotion.
- Impact:76 crore domestic tourist visits (2024).
- One India, One Registration Initiative ensures standardised quality and service certification.

Tourism Data Highlights (2025)

- Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs): ~56 lakh till August.
- Domestic Tourist Visits:59 crore till August.
- Medical Tourism FTAs: 1,31,856 (4.1% of total FTAs).
- Inbound vs Outbound Tourism: Inbound: 16.5 lakh; Outbound: 84.4 lakh.