November 26, 2024
2 mins read

Global Travelers Flock to India 

The tourism sector contributed 5 per cent to the country’s GDP in 2022-23, a significant surge from 1.75 per cent in 2021-22…reports Asian Lite News

About 61.91 lakh foreign tourists arrived in India this year (January-August period) against 59.71 lakh arrivals registered in the same period last year, the government said on Monday. 

In a reply to a Lok Sabha question on the first day of the Parliament’s winter session, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that total foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) stood at 9.52 million (90.52 lakh) last year. 

“As per the UNWTO Barometer published in September 2024, export revenues from international tourism in 2023 were recorded at $1.8 trillion, which includes receipts from tourism activities as well as passenger transport,” the minister said. 

The tourism sector contributed 5 per cent to the country’s GDP in 2022-23, a significant surge from 1.75 per cent in 2021-22. 

The Ministry of Tourism undertakes various promotional activities in important and potential tourist-generating markets with the objective of showcasing India’s tourism potential and promoting tourism in the country, including the state of Himachal Pradesh. 

“The Chalo India initiative has been launched by the Ministry to encourage the huge Indian diaspora to become Incredible India ambassadors and encourage their five non-Indian friends to visit India, every year,” the minister informed. 

A Chalo India portal has also been developed for registration of the Indian diaspora. There are about five million OCI card holders. 

While each OCI holder can nominate up to five people, the total number of free e-visas to be granted under the initiative is one lakh. 

The ministry has undertaken several steps to improve the quality of infrastructure and facilities at various tourist destinations across the country under schemes such as ‘Swadesh Darshan’, ‘PRASHAD’, and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development’, in collaboration with States/UTs, Central agencies and private stakeholders. 

The Ministry of Tourism has partnered with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Railways, and Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways to achieve this goal. 

The ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive’ (PRASHAD) scheme provides financial assistance to the state governments and union territories administration for the development of tourism infrastructure at the pre-identified pilgrimage destinations and heritage cities. 

ALSO READ: India Gate Spices Up Its Game 

Previous Story

Driven to 3 Million 

Next Story

Squads Locked 

Latest from Economy

Mizoram nails SDG goals

Mizoram has emerged as a frontrunner in India’s sustainable development journey, with all 11 of its districts earning ‘Front Runner’ status in the NITI Aayog North Eastern Region SDG Index 2023–24….reports Asian

US Tariffs Pushed to August Amid Talks

In April, Trump announced a base tariff of 10 per cent on most of America’s trading partners and thereafter additional duties ranging up to 50 per cent….reports Asian Lite News US President

India Outpaces Peers in Morgan Stanley Outlook

Global investment firm reaffirms India’s status as top-performing economy in latest growth outlook…reports Asian Lite News India is set to retain its position as the fastest-growing economy among nations tracked by Morgan

Microsoft Cuts Deep

The fresh job cuts come less than two months after Microsoft announced it was laying off more than 6,000 employees…reports Asian Lite News Microsoft is set to cut around 9,000 jobs —

Pakistan misses export target

Pakistan misses export target for 2024-25 despite modest growth, with rising imports widening the trade deficit and prompting urgent cost-cutting measures across key sectors….reports Asian Lite News Pakistan has fallen short of
Go toTop

Don't Miss

India’s opening dilemma at Edgbaston

Former India all-rounder Ajit Agarkar said he would like to

JD(S) condemns “racial slurs” against Kumaraswamy 

The party criticised the “racial slurs” by the Minister and