He was speaking at the three-day National Conference of State Tourism Ministers in Dharamsala

To bring in diverse viewpoints and perspectives from all the states and Union Territories of India on tourism development and growth and to create a direct dialogue with the states on schemes, policies and steps being taken at a national level for overall tourism improvement in India, a three-day National Conference of State Tourism Ministers took off in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh yesterday. The conference also aims to be a platform for sharing of best practices, successful projects and tourism product opportunities. The three-day conference was chaired by G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and DONER and attended by MoS Tourism Ajay Bhatt and MoS Tourism Shripad Naik, Chairman FAITH Nakul Anand and DG Tourism G Kamala Vardhana Rao. 

Reddy, at the conference, stated that in the past 75 years, India has become synonymous with tourism, spirituality, transformation, culture and diversity. It is a matter of great pride to celebrate record-breaking expansion, leading India to become fifth largest economy in the world. As such, establishing the tourism sector as primary concern, Ministry of Tourism has undertaken various initiatives and a four-fold development strategy that focusses on improving connectivity via air, rail and roads, enhancing the tourism infrastructure and dependent services, streamlining branding and promotion and showcasing the culture and heritage. 

Highlighting the slogan of Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi given by the Prime Minister, Reddy said after vast process of consultations and deliberations, the National Tourism Policy will be brought out before the Budget session. He informed various tourist circuits are being promoted and a new ‘Ambedkar Circuit’ shall soon be launched. The Himalayan Circuit will also be promoted under the action plan for development of tourist circuits, he elaborated.

The Union Tourism Minister further added the National Conference of State Tourism Ministers is important in the current context of India’s G20 presidency. G-20 will be used as a platform to showcase India’s tourism potential to the world, he disclosed. Emphasising the importance of air connectivity Reddy said the number of airports in the country has increased from 74 in 2014 to 140 now and it is further proposed to increase number of airports to 220 by 2025. 

He added that PM Modi’s vision of associating Indian diaspora and NRIs for promoting tourism will be encouraged and urged each diaspora Indian to motivate at least 5 foreigners to visit India as per vision of the PM. The financial assistance to tourism sector, the biggest sufferer due to Covid19, continues to be extended up to March 31, 2023, he said. The Tourism sector generated Rs 16.91 lakh crore (US$ 240 billion) or 9.2 per cent of India’s GDP in 2018 and has supported around 42.67 million jobs or 8.1 per cent total employment.

The conference is divided into thematic sessions on development of tourism infrastructure, cultural, spiritual and heritage tourism, tourism in the Himalayan states, responsible and sustainable tourism, role of digital technology for marketing and promotion of tourism destinations, emerging importance of homestays in the Indian hospitality sector, Ayurveda, wellness and medical value travel and lastly, on forest and wildlife tourism.