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.