In News:

The Government highlighted India's growing potential as a global tourism hub, supported by improved infrastructure, connectivity, digital platforms, travel facilitation, and sustainable tourism initiatives.

Key Highlights

• India recorded 2.9 billion domestic tourist visits (2024) and 2.02 crore international tourist arrivals (2025).
• Tourism contributed ?15.73 lakh crore (5.22% of GDP) in 2023–24 and supported 84.6 million jobs.
• Foreign exchange earnings from tourism reached USD 31.7 billion in 2025.

India's Tourism Potential

India's diverse cultural heritage, 45 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 106 National Parks, 18 Biosphere Reserves, pilgrimage centres, wildlife, wellness traditions, and varied landscapes make it one of the world's most attractive tourism destinations.

Major tourism segments include:

• Spiritual & Buddhist tourism
• Heritage & cultural tourism
• Wellness & medical tourism
• Eco & wildlife tourism
• Rural & community tourism
• MICE tourism
• Coastal, cruise & adventure tourism

Major Government Initiatives

• Swadesh Darshan: 76 projects worth ?5,295.24 crore across 14 thematic circuits.
• Swadesh Darshan 2.0: 53 destination-centric projects worth ?2,207.08 crore.
• PRASHAD Scheme: 54 projects worth ?1,726.24 crore for pilgrimage destinations.
• Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment: 40 tourism projects worth ?3,295.76 crore.
• Challenge-Based Destination Development: 37 projects worth ?687.99 crore.

Improving Connectivity & Ease of Travel

• Expansion of highways, Vande Bharat trains, UDAN airports and last-mile connectivity.
• Viksit UDAN aims to develop over 100 aerodromes and 200 helipads.
• e-Tourist Visa facility is available for nationals of 175 countries through 33 airports, 19 seaports and 4 land ports.
• NIDHI provides a unified digital platform for registration and classification of tourism service providers.

Tourism Start-ups

India has 1,497 DPIIT-recognised tourism start-ups across 262 districts, generating nearly 13,919 jobs. Around 58% are located in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, promoting innovation in travel technology, homestays, rural tourism and AI-based travel services.

Sustainable Tourism

The Government promotes responsible tourism through the Travel for LiFE initiative, destination diversification, community participation, and conservation of heritage and biodiversity. Sustainable tourism also contributes to SDG 8.9, SDG 12.B, and SDG 14.7.

Significance

• Generates employment and foreign exchange.
• Promotes regional and rural development.
• Preserves cultural heritage and biodiversity.
• Strengthens India's position as a global tourism destination.
• Supports inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

In News:

Centre clears scheme for development of 40 tourist destinations across 23 States at a cost of ?3,295 crore.

Key Details:

• Focus Areas: The scheme encourages the development of lesser-known destinations such as Bateshwar (Uttar Pradesh), Ponda (Goa), Gandikota (Andhra Pradesh), and Porbandar (Gujarat) to reduce overcrowding at popular sites.
• Implementation Timeline: Projects must be completed within two years, with funding released in stages until March 2026.
• Key Features:
  • Long-term interest-free loans for 50 years.
  • States responsible for project execution and maintenance, often through public-private partnerships (PPP).
  • The Ministry of Tourism will monitor progress, and 66% of the funds have already been released.
  • Emphasis on sustainability and boosting local economies by creating jobs through tourism.
  • States must provide land at no cost and ensure proper infrastructure like safety, connectivity, and utilities.

Selection Criteria for Projects:

• Consultation Process: Detailed regional consultations led to the selection of 40 projects from 87 proposals received by the Ministry of Tourism. West Bengal was the only state not submitting proposals.
• Evaluation Criteria: Projects were evaluated based on:
  • Connectivity, tourism potential, and ecosystem.
  • Financial viability and sustainability.
  • Impact on local economy and job creation.
• Funding Pattern:
  • A maximum of ?100 crore for each project, with higher funding considered for exceptional projects.
  • Total funding capped at ?250 crore per state, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Importance of the Scheme:

• Economic Growth & Employment: Projects are designed to stimulate local economies, create employment, and promote sustainable tourism.
• Global Branding: The scheme aims to brand and market tourist destinations on a global scale.
• Tourism Infrastructure Growth: It aims to improve the entire tourism value chain, including transportation, accommodation, activities, and services.

Tourism Sector Overview:

• Current Status:
  • India ranks 39th among 119 countries in the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024.
  • Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) increased by 47.9% in 2023, with 9.52 million tourists.
  • Tourism contributed 5% to India’s GDP in 2022-23 and created 76.17 million direct and indirect jobs.
  • India earned ?2.3 lakh crore in foreign exchange in 2023 through tourism.
  • Projected revenue from tourism to exceed $59 billion by 2028.
• Initiatives for Promotion:
  • Swadesh Darshan Scheme: To develop theme-based circuits.
  • Dekho Apna Desh Initiative (2020): Promotes domestic tourism.
  • PRASHAD & HRIDAY Schemes: Focus on pilgrimage and heritage city development.

MGNREGA Job Card Deletions Issue:

• Context: A significant surge in deletions of job cards under MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) raised concerns over transparency and workers’ rights.
• Reasons for Deletion:
  • Permanent migration, duplicate cards, forged documents, and refusal to work.
  • Aadhaar-based payment system (ABPS) implementation led to deletions for non-linked cards.
• Implications:
  • Violation of workers’ legal right to employment, especially when deletions were made without due process.
  • The "Not willing to work" designation undermines livelihood opportunities, especially in high unemployment rural areas.
• Recommendations for Reform:
  • Strengthening verification processes and ensuring deletions follow due procedure.
  • Empowering Gram Sabhas to review and approve deletions.
  • Regular audits and better grievance redressal mechanisms.

Other Government Initiatives in Tourism:

• National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD): For holistic and sustainable development of pilgrimage tourism.
• Incredible India & E-Visa Initiatives: To attract more foreign tourists.
• Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN): Enhances air connectivity to remote tourist destinations.
• National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY): Preserves and rejuvenates heritage sites.