Category Archives: MOT

The Indian government has made international travel complex, says Pritish Shah, Founder & CEO at ATD Journeys, with GST and 20% TCS. “Indian outbound tourism is having a tug of war moment. The question is, will the Indian outbound traveller be restricted due to government measures or will it get to experience more of what the world has to offer?” he asks.

Shripad Yesso Naik, Union Minister of State for Tourism, stressed on the importance of coming up with a new medical tourism policy. “In order to improve medical tourism, the government in the upcoming budget will include subsidies and benefits for patients coming to India,” he said.

TAFI has urged the PM to show more support to the travel agent channel. It stated, ‘The tourism sector can surely become more robust if all cogs in the wheel of tourism trade do well and work in tandem. The travel agent channel has been largely ignored and remains an area where your support would go a long way.’

Management Consultant & Professor for aviation and tourism industries, Gavin Eccles, says India needs a more integrated vision between air services and tourism. “I have been saying this for the last few years. It is really time for India to look at an inbound aviation strategy. UDAN scheme has been great but what about an India Air Connectivity Programme? I have made many pitches to both the Central Government and the Indian states. Is 2024 the year that India can develop a strong inbound air services programme?”

According to Indian government owned website Invest India, the tourism and hospitality industry in the country is projected to generate revenue of over $59 billion. It also highlights that Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) are anticipated to reach 30.5 million by 2028.

Ministry of Tourism has developed Incredible India thematic brand films for welcoming of foreign tourists to the country which have been specifically curated for the leading overseas market. Brand films are being circulated domestically and internationally for promotion purposes.

In order to provide impetus to the development of adventure tourism in the country, MOT has set up a National Board for Adventure Tourism under Secretary (Tourism) and comprising Central Ministries, states and industry stakeholders to provide guidance for the development of the sector. Seven strategic pillars have been identified for development of sustainable tourism, adventure tourism and ecotourism. These include state assessment, skills, marketing, strengthening safety framework, national and state level rescue grid, destination and product development, and governance and institutional framework.

Medical tourists to India has increased, rising from 1.83 lakh in 2020 to 5.04 lakh in 2023 (till October). Union Minister for Culture, Tourism, and DoNER, G. Kishan Reddy, stated that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has announced loans totalling $14.8 billion to enhance infrastructure.

As per figures released from MoT, India received about 6.43 million foreign tourism arrivals in 2023 (Jan-Sept) who spent about Rs 1,66,660 crore while here. In order to increase the footfall of international tourists in India, Ministry of Tourism, participated in various International travel fairs during the Year 2023 such as FITUR 2023, ITB Berlin, and ATM Dubai.

Speaking at a conference of all State Tourism Secretaries, V Vidyavathi, Tourism Secretary, MOT, has urged the state governments to fast-track the completion of ongoing tourism projects funded by the Ministry, and to focus on identifying tourist destinations for development. She also discussed the implementation of G20 Goa Roadmap and Travel for LiFE program with the states for their effective implementation.