India, Sept. 26 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
"Tourism has the potential to bring prosperity to the lives of many. Our government will keep focusing on enhancing India's tourism infrastructure to ensure more people can experience the wonders of Incredible India"
-Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Introduction
Tourism is a dynamic sector that enhances cultural exchange, economic growth, and global connectivity. It serves as a bridge between people and places, showcasing the region's heritage, diversity, and natural beauty.
The theme for World Tourism Day 2025 is "Tourism and Sustainable Transformation," emphasising tourism's power to promote positive change. Achieving this requires more than growth; it also involves good governance, strategic planning, effective monitoring, and clear priorities that are aligned with long-term sustainability.
Malaysia will host the World Tourism Day and the World Tourism Conference (WTC) 2025 in the city of Melaka from September 27th to 29th.
History & Significance
World Tourism Day, observed annually on September 27, is an initiative of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). It commemorates the adoption of the UNWTO statutes in 1970and emphasises the sector's role in supporting the socio-economic growth of countries and advancing the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It was celebrated for the first time in the year 1980.
Tourism in India
Tourism is one of the major economic sectors, contributing to exports and promoting global prosperity. In the last decade, the Government of India has taken up many transformative initiatives to scale up and revolutionise this sector so that it can realise its full potential as a force for economic growth, employment generation, and cultural diplomacy. As on June 2025, inbound tourism stood at 16.5 lakh visitors, while outbound tourism was recorded at 84.4 lakh travellers. This activity contributed to foreign exchange earnings amounting to Rs.51,532 crores. In addition, as per the provisional estimates of the National Accounts Statistics 2025, the tourism sector contributed Rs.Rs.15.73 lakh crore to India's GDP in 2023-24, accounting for 5.22% of the total economy. Besides that, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), the sector generated 36.90 million direct employments and 47.72 million indirect employments, together accounting for 13.34% of total employment in the economy.
These initiatives, aligned with the government's agenda of "Vikas" (development) and "Virasat" (heritage), have redefined the sector in terms of scale, inclusivity and sustainability. Some major highlights are as follows:
Initiatives to Boost Tourism Sector in India
Swadesh Darshan Scheme
In 2014-15, the Ministry of Tourism launched the Swadesh Darshan Scheme (SDS) to develop thematic tourism circuits across the country. 76 projects worthRs.5,290.30 crore were sanctioned under identified themes, of which 75 projects have been physically completed.
A few of the sites covered under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme
Under the Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD) scheme, a part of the Swadesh Darshan programme, the Ministry of Tourism has chosen 42 destinations across four key themes:
Following proposals from various State Governments and UT Administrations, and in accordance with the scheme guidelines, the Ministry of Tourism has approved 36 projects across the country. These projects, sanctioned under the CBDD scheme, are being implemented by State Implementing Agencies, with a completion deadline set for March 2026.
A few of the projects covered under the CBDD scheme include -
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme
The Ministry of Tourism launched the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) in 2014-15 to improve tourist convenience, accessibility, security, and cleanlinessat pilgrimage centres.
Dekho Apna Desh Initiative
Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP-I) & VVP-II Programme
The Vibrant Villages Programme-I (VVP-I), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, launched on 15th February 2023, is a central initiative to develop select villages in 46 blocks near the northern border across 19 districts in Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh.
The Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II), on April 2, 2025, was approved by the Central Governmentas a Central Sector Scheme with a total budget of Rs. 6,839 crore until the financial year 2028-29.
Special Assistance to the States for Capital Investment (SASCI)
Capacity Building for Service Providers (CBSP) Scheme
Incredible India Digital Portal & Incredible India Content Hub
The Incredible India Digital Portal is a tourist-centric, one-stop digital solution designed to enhance the travel experience for visitors to India. The portal offers essential information and services to travellers at every stage of their journey, from discovery and research to planning, booking, travelling, and returning.
On the occasion of World Tourism Day in 2024, the Ministry of Tourism launched the Incredible India Content Hub on the revamped Incredible India digital portal (www.incredibleindia.gov.in).
Enhancement of Specific Tourism Sub-sectors
The initiative aims to excel India's vision to become a global hub for cruise tourism and promote the country as the leading global cruise destination. The Cruise India Mission will be implemented in three phases, spanning from October 1, 2024, to March 31, 2029.
Conclusion
The rise of tourism in India over the past few years has been remarkable, making a significant contribution to the nation's economy and its global image. From heritage sites to modern infrastructure, India's diverse attractions continue to draw millions of visitors annually. Initiatives like Dekho Apna Desh, PRASHAD, and Swadesh Darshan have revitalised the tourism sector, promoting both domestic and international travel. The government's focus on infrastructure development, digital transformation, and cultural preservation has played a crucial role in positioning our nation as a world-class tourist destination. This growth not only boosts economic development but also strengthens India's soft power on the global stage.
Reference Links:
Ministry of Tourism
https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-07/Quarterly%20%20Tourism%20Snapshot%20Jan-Mar%202025.pdf
Press Information Bureau:
https://www.pib.gov.in/FeaturesDeatils.aspx?id154724&NoteId154724&ModuleId2
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2101371
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2153611
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2159117
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2060272
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID1892267
https://www.investindia.gov.in/sector/tourism-hospitality
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID1988326
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2059444
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2040132
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID1988326
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID2043017
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SK/RK
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
