Context:

According to the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024 report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), India is ranked 39th among 119 countries. 

Key Highlights

• In the previous 2021 Travel and Tourism Development index, India was ranked 54th, but a revision in the WEF's methodology adjusted India's 2021 rank to 38th.

Improvements in Key Areas 

• The report highlights that India's scores have improved in three key areas: Prioritization of Travel & Tourism, Safety & Security, and Health & Hygiene.

International Tourist Arrivals

• According to the UNWTO barometer for May 2024, there were 975 million international tourist arrivals globally in 2022. 
• India recorded 14.3 million international tourist arrivals, representing 1.47% of the international inbound tourism market share.
• In Asia & Pacific, India’s share was 15.66% in 2022.
  

UNWTO 

• The United Nations World Tourism Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism.
• Established in 1975
• Headquarters: Madrid, Spain.

World Economic Forum (WEF)

• It is an international non-governmental think tank organization.
• Mission: To improve the state of the world by engaging leaders from business, politics, academia, and society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas.
• Founded: January 24, 1971
• Headquarters: Switzerland

• Global Competitiveness Index (GCI)
• Global Risk Report 
• Global Gender Gap Report 
• Energy Transition Index
• Global IT Report
• Global Human Capital Index

Initiatives Implemented to Enhance Tourism Promotion in India:

The Ministry of Tourism has taken several steps/measures under various schemes/initiatives over the years for development and promotion of tourism sector in the country such as:

Infrastructure Development:

• Swadesh Darshan: Revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) to focus on sustainable and responsible tourism.
• PRASHAD Scheme: National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive.
• Assistance to Central Agencies: For Tourism Infrastructure Development.
• Financial Assistance: Support for organizing fairs, festivals, and tourism-related events under the Domestic Promotion & Publicity including Hospitality (DPPH) Scheme.
• Dekho Apna Desh Initiative: Encourages citizens to travel within India.
• Thematic Tourism Promotion: Focus on wellness tourism, culinary tourism, rural tourism, eco-tourism, and other niche tourism sectors.

E-Visa Facility:

• Available for 7 sub-categories: e-Tourist, e-Business, e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant, e-Conference, e-Ayush, and e-Ayush Attendant Visas for nationals of 167 countries.
• Liberalization of e-Visa and reduction of visa fees.
• GST Reduction: Lowering GST on hotel rooms: 12% for tariffs ₹1,001 to ₹7,500/night and 18% for tariffs above ₹7,501/night to enhance India's competitiveness as a tourist destination.
• Collaboration with Ministry of Civil Aviation: RCS-UDAN Scheme: 53 tourism routes operationalized to improve air connectivity.A digital initiative to train and certify Tourist Facilitators/Guides and create employment opportunities.
• Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITF) Certification Program: A digital initiative to train and certify Tourist Facilitators/Guides and create employment opportunities.
• Capacity Building for Service Providers (CBSP) Scheme: Training and upgrading manpower to provide better service standards.

National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry (NIDHI):

• A technology-driven system for the digitalization and ease of doing business in the hospitality and tourism sector.
• Upgraded to NIDHI+ to include accommodation units, travel agents, tour operators, tourist transport operators, food & beverage units, online travel aggregators, convention centres, and tourist facilitators.

Details of Domestic Tourist Visits (DTVs) and Foreign Tourist Visits (FTVs) during the period of 2018 to 2022 in India are given below: