TravTalk India Online Magazine
The Union Ministry of Tourism marks World Tourism Day 2024 with an elaborate ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, graced by the presence of Jagdeep Dhankhar, Vice President of India, as the Chief Guest.
TT Bureau
The World Tourism Day ceremony was graced by the presence of Jagdeep Dhankhar, Vice President of India, and other dignitaries, such as Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister Culture & Tourism; Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Union Minister of Civil Aviation; and Suresh Gopi, Minister of State for Tourism and Petroleum & Natural Gas. V Vidyavathi, Secretary, Tourism, Government of India, welcomed the guests and introduced the 5Ps of tourism: People, Place, Product, Planet, and Promotion. She emphasised that by embracing these 5Ps, India can achieve prosperity and peace, aligning with this year’s theme—’Tourism & Peace’.
Shekhawat highlighted the transformative power of tourism, saying, “Tourism is the sector that connects us all and bridges gaps between cultures and nations.” He made several important announcements on the occasion.
Gratis visa
Shekhawat revealed a new initiative under the Ministry of Tourism’s ‘Chalo India’ campaign, aimed at encouraging the global Indian diaspora to become ambassadors of ‘Incredible India’. “To provide a fillip to the ‘Chalo India’ campaign, the first 1,00,000 foreigners coming to India under this initiative will receive their visa on a gratis basis, with the Government of India waiving the visa fee,” he announced.
Masterlist of destinations
To further bolster India’s tourism infrastructure, Shekhawat announced the development of a Masterlist of Tourism Destinations for Development that will prioritise key tourist sites for focused development over the next three years. “This list will be created in convergence with various ministries—Culture, Civil Aviation, Railways, Road Transport & Highways, and Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. The aim is to work together with States and Union Territories to develop these destinations,” he said. He further emphasised the importance of private sector participation, saying, “The Masterlist will be publicly available to allow private sector players to plan their investment pipelines and complement the government’s efforts.”
Incredible India Content Hub & Digital Portal
One of the major highlights of the event was the launch of the Incredible India Content Hub by the Vice President of India. Hosted on the newly revamped Incredible India Digital Portal, this platform provides a comprehensive repository of high-quality tourism content, including 5,000 images, videos, and brochures. Shekhawat noted, “The Incredible India Content Hub will make it easier for travel trade professionals worldwide to access all they need to promote India’s tourism potential.” The revamped portal offers travellers essential information, from planning and booking to their return journey.
Paryatan Mitra & Paryatan Didi
Shekhawat introduced the Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi initiatives, which aim to enhance tourist experiences by training locals as ambassadors and storytellers of their destinations. “We are providing tourism-related training to those who engage with tourists at key destinations. They will act as friendly guides and proud ambassadors, ensuring that every tourist has a memorable experience,” Shekhawat said. The pilot phase is being implemented in six destinations, including Orchha (Madhya Pradesh), Gandikota (Andhra Pradesh), and Bodh Gaya (Bihar).
MoUs with hospitality chains
Another significant moment was the signing of MoUs between MOT and eight leading hospitality groups, such as Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), Marriott International, and Radisson Hotels. “These partnerships will help us go global with Indian hospitality and ensure that we skill India for the world,” Shekhawat explained. The initiative will facilitate mentorship, faculty development, and institutional growth at Central Institutes of Hotel Management (CIHMs).
Best Tourism Villages
The ministry also announced the winners of the Best Tourism Villages Competition 2024. Out of 991 applications, 36 villages were recognised across eight categories. Shekhawat emphasised, “This competition showcases the incredible diversity and cultural richness of our rural tourism landscape, which is a crucial part of Incredible India.”
Handbook for States
In an effort to standardise the tourism industry, Shekhawat announced the launch of a handbook for States and UTs that encourages them to grant industry status to the tourism and hospitality sectors. “This handbook will detail the benefits of granting industry status, inspiring states to take this crucial step for the growth of tourism and hospitality,” he said.
Tourist feedback mechanism
MOT has also introduced a new feedback mechanism for tourists, allowing them to rate their experiences at various tourist attractions through QR codes placed at airports and railway stations. “This real-time feedback system will allow us to address issues proactively and gather valuable data to continuously improve tourism services,” he said.
