TravTalk India Online Magazine
Tourism planning is the best way forward for India to accomplish a $5 trillion economy, says
Anish Kumar PK, CEO, The Travel Planners, Trivandrum, Kerala, who believes that it is possible by improving education, quality of travel and showcasing the best India has to offer.
Nisha Verma
Anish Kumar PK, CEO, The Travel Planners, Trivandrum, Kerala believes that achieving a $5 trillion economy for India is a huge goal, which can be achieved with the help of tourism planning. “In 2022, the travel and tourism sector contributed `15.7 trillion to India’s economy. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), this value is projected to reach `16.5 trillion by the end of this year. The forecast for the next 10 years is estimated to be a staggering `37 trillion. To achieve this ambitious goal, India’s tourism marketing and development require comprehensive planning. It is essential to revamp India’s tourism marketing strategies, adopt state-wise planning approaches, and position tourism products effectively to drive tourism growth,” he says.
Enhancing education
Putting emphasis on the improvement of education, he adds, “To increase awareness about the significance of tourism and improve service quality, India should expand its tourism education and training initiatives. The tourism
education programs should encompass multidisciplinary majors that prepare students for the future of the sector. Promising new majors could include tourism data science and tourism business management.”
Given the increasingly competitive global tourism market, he mentions, it is crucial for the tourism industry to constantly strive for improvement in order to enhance its international competitiveness. “To ensure high-quality tourism education, training, and research programs, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) should introduce tourism management courses. Graduates from these programs can then be placed in top tourism positions within the Ministry of Tourism and various state tourism departments,” he suggests.
Undergrad job opportunities
Pointing out that there is a considerable gap in job opportunities within the lower segments of the hospitality sector, particularly in housekeeping, food production, service, and driving, he advises, “Undergraduate students can be provided with skill development training to bridge this gap and offer employment opportunities in these sectors.”
Improving quality
Kumar PK has claimed that improving the quality of transportation in India will go a long way in helping the country’s economy. “India has 352 five-star hotels and 425 four-star hotels. To attract upscale travellers, Indian tourism marketing efforts should focus on upgrading the transportation sector, particularly by providing luxury tourist vehicles. Initiatives such as providing Easy Mudra loans with lower interest rates and waiving Central Goods and Services Tax for tourist vehicles for one year can help address the shortage of luxury tourist vehicles in the country,” he shares.
Showcasing India
Putting emphasis on showcasing India, Kumar PK says, “India’s tourism products, with their diverse offerings such as authentic spirituality, wellness (Yoga, Ayurveda), wildlife, nature, beaches, temples, and cuisine, need to be marketed effectively to cater to a wide range of tourists’ interests and preferences.”
