Mains: Current Affairs

India ranks 34th in Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index

Why in news?

  • Government is committed to make policies and programmes for the development and promotion of tourism and the year 2019 witnessed several steps in this direction.
  • As the sector has the capacity to boost the economy, foreign exchange earnings and provide a large number of jobs at every level, tourism Ministry is continuously consulting and collaborating with other different stakeholders to boost the sector.

Objectives:

  • Reducing E-visa fees, decreasing GST rates on hotel room booking and opening 120 new peaks for mountaineering are among the major highlights of Tourism Ministry in 2019.
  • Along with these several steps taken under Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD Scheme and various other events of Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat were also undertaken during the year.

Crucial highlights:

  • India’s rank in Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index of World Economic Forum has moved to 34th position from 65th rank in 2013. Foreign Tourist Arrivals also registered a growth of 3.2 percent last year.
  • The government is working to develop thematic circuits under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme and 77 projects amounting over Rs 6035 crore have been sanctioned till date under this scheme.
  • An initiative called – ‘Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan’ has been launched for developing tourist amenities at heritage and tourist sites and making them tourist-friendly.
  • E-visa has been further liberalized and visa fee on e – visa has been substantially reduced to increase tourism competitiveness of the country.
  • The Government has also opened more than 120 mountain peaks for mountaineering and trekking for promoting adventure tourism in the country.

 

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