Category Archives: MOT

Suman Billa, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, said, “One of the targets we could perhaps place for ourselves is how to double tourism’s GDP contribution from 5% to 10% in the next ten years and probably add 25 million jobs in the next five years.” He emphasised the need for strategic efforts to achieve this growth.

The Global Investors Summit (GIS) in Bhopal is set to open new avenues for tourism investment in Madhya Pradesh. The state’s new Tourism and Film Tourism Policies provide substantial incentives to investors. A streamlined “single-window system” ensures quick, transparent approvals for film shooting. The policy also includes grants for regional films in dialects like Malvi and Bundelkhandi, along with special incentives for children’s cinema and women-centric films. Additional grants are available for films based on the state’s cultural and historical legacy, as well as independent short films.

Suman Billa, Additional Secretary for Tourism, emphasised that the tourism supply side is not growing due to unfavorable financial conditions. He urges tourism stakeholders to actively communicate their concerns to policymakers. He also emphasises that industry participation is crucial to shaping policies that drive growth. Encouraging states to adopt an entrepreneurial approach, he stressed the need for tourism to contribute beyond its current 5.04% of GDP.

Highlighting the uniqueness of Odisha, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism & Culture, GoI, says, “Odisha government must provide content to display at national tourism forums. We must establish the state’s flavours in the global market. Enhancing the tourism experience, expanding tourism product offerings, and developing holistic infrastructure are key to driving growth.”

While addressing the 3rd edition of ‘Virasat,’ Mugdha Sinha, DG, Ministry of Tourism, GoI, said, “There is a ‘symbiotic relationship’ between culture and tourism and the latter pillion rides on cultural assets as destination pullers. Culture and tourism are the two sides of the same coin, like Janus, the Roman god.” She noted India attracted 1.45 per cent of global tourists in 2023.

Expressing his hope on revamped Incredible India Digital Platform (IIDP) to increase foreign footfall in India, Subhash Goyal, Founder & Chairman, STIC Travel & Air Charter Group, said, “The government should reopen Indian Tourism offices abroad and increase the publicity budget to promote foreign tourism in India otherwise it will depend only on digital platforms.”

Tourism minister of Andhra Pradesh, Kandula Durgesh, has requested Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for fast-track approvals for Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for proposed Swadesh Darshan projects. He informed the minister that tourism development in AP would proceed through central government schemes like PRASAD, Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and the special assistance to states for capital investment Scheme. “Development work at the Simhachalam temple in Visakhapatnam is complete by 60 per cent and the tendering process for the Annavaram temple development in Kakinada district has been finalised,” he said.

The Ministry has launched a revamped version of Incredible India Digital Platform (IIDP) as a comprehensive resource for stakeholders. Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, says, “IIDP offers real-time weather updates, city exploration, and essential travel services. The portal has also partnered with several OTAs for bookings. The ministry encourages state governments to include soft components involving the use of technology to enhance visitor experience at major tourist destinations.”

Uttar Pradesh government is planning to invest nearly Rs 50,000 crore in seven new expressway projects in the next 2-3 years. This will connect about 30 districts to the vast expressway network in the state. The combined length of these expressways is 866 km, connecting areas with Lucknow-State Capital Region and the Delhi NCR. At present, UP accounts for the largest network of expressways in India, either operational or under construction.

Digi Yatra has ambitious plans for 2025. Suresh Khadakbhavi, CEO, Digi Yatra Foundation, reveals, “Our partnership with IATA for the IATA One-ID X Digi Yatra for enablement of Digi Yatra for International flow will drive growth in 2025. The platform intends to support all 22 official Indian languages. It also aims to conduct an international pilot project, enabling foreign passengers with e-passports to experience its seamless ecosystem.”