Category Archives: MOT

Highlighting the efforts being made to make tourism an integral part of building a ‘Viksit Bharat’, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism, Govt of India, said a total of 76.17 million jobs have been created in the tourism sector along with launching programs like Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi. Foreign exchange earnings are estimated to be $28.07 billion, marking a 42.53% increase compared to 2014.

As per a MICE study carried out in 2019 sponsored by Ministry of Tourism, the market size of the India MICE industry is at Rs.37,576 crore, 60% of which is attributable to Meetings, Incentives and Conferences. The international MIC in this accounts for 22% of the market size. 65% are business to business events, and the Meetings & Incentives form roughly 70% of the entire MICE segment for 5-star properties. Ministry of Tourism identified MICE as one of the important segments of Tourism. Ministry has also formulated a National Strategy and Roadmap for MICE Industry to promote the growth of MICE industry in the country including Haryana and Delhi NCR.

At its 16th annual convention, ATOAI launched the Roadmap & Toolkit for Arunachal Pradesh, positioning it as a model for sustainable adventure tourism. Aimed at enhancing its identity as the “Last Shangri-La,” the initiative integrates ecological, cultural, and technological advancements, promising a balanced approach to promote pristine experiences while preserving local heritage.

Officials from the Ministry of Tourism informed that Indians recommending a visit to India to their non-Indian friends will be rewarded if the trip gets materialised. Such Indians on their return may be received at the airport by the ministry representatives. Now, Indians abroad can register and claim rewards at ‘Chalo India’ portal.

Speaking at UP Tourism’s ‘Mahakumbh 2025 Prelude’ event, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Tourism Minister, GoI, said, “We see the Mahakumbh as an opportunity for cultural exchange.” He invited global tourists to experience world’s largest spiritual gathering, scheduled to be held from 14 January-26 February 2025 in Prayagraj.

Under the budget announcement’s special assistance programme for states, the Centre has approved 40 projects totalling ₹3,295 crore to turn tourist destinations into iconic hubs, with the primary aim being the decongestion of known and traditional tourist destinations. The focus of the exercise is to tap the future potential of these sites.

India has generated ₹1.71 lakh crore in foreign exchange earnings through tourism from January 2024 to August 2024. It grew by 15.64 per cent between January 2024 to August 2024. Furthermore, it witnessed 36.5 per cent growth in 2023 over the previous year as per the official statement of Union Ministry of Tourism.

Addressing the 12th ITM in Kaziranga, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism, GoI, said, “Northeast region has welcomed over 125 lakh domestic tourists in 2023, a significant increase from 70 lakh tourists in 2014. He attributed this surge to rapid infrastructural development in the region, including improved transportation networks, enhanced tourism facilities, and the development of new tourist sites.”

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in his address at 12th Edition of the International Tourism Mart (ITM), in Kaziranga in Assam, underscored the Northeast’s legacy, cultural diversity, and natural wealth emphasizing its rich cuisine, crafts and biodiversity. This ITM is a remarkable opportunity for Northeast India to showcase its rich culture and diversity to the world and also offers a platform for people from across the globe to witness the extraordinary heritage of this region, he said. He further highlighted the significance of hosting the ITM in Kaziranga, stating that it reflects the increasing importance of the Northeast on the national stage. Mentioning the event in Kaziranga as special, the minister said that over the past decade, development in the region has accelerated.

The contribution of the tourism sector to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 2022-23 stood at five per cent, the government informed Parliament. In a written response in the Lok Sabha, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Tourism Minister, stated that the total foreign tourist arrivals in 2023 stood at 9.52 million.