Category Archives: MOT

Arvind Singh, Secretary, MoT said, ‘Everybody wants to mainstream sustainability in all aspects of life, including tourism and highlighted the fact that with G20 around the corner it is important to step up our commitment towards it. He also informed that there are four tourism track meetings slated to be held during G-20. “It is the ideal time that India should take the leadership position in responsible tourism”, he added. 

Rakesh Verma, Additional Secretary, Tourism, has shared that they are looking at over ₹1000 crore to be given to the board for implementing the marketing and promotional campaigns. “It will cover different channels and the focus will be on country specific strategies and on digital platform,” he added.

Arvind Singh, Secretary, Tourism, at the ITM in Aizawl, Mizoram, shared that sustainability has been a priority for the travel, tourism, and hospitality sector for some time, but it has become even more prominent due to the pandemic. “The Government of India is now focused on promoting the move towards green tourism. Green tourism has the potential to catalyse local economies, while also minimising the environmental and social impacts,” he added.

Arvind Singh, Secretary, Tourism has said that Indian tourism industry contributes to around 4.7 percent of the country’s GDP and provides employment to around 31.8 million of inhabitants. “If tourism’s contribution is increased to 10 per cent of GDP in India, it can create 26 million new jobs,” he added.

G Kishan Reddy, Union Tourism Minister, has said that Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of DoNER and Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is developing 100 view-points in North East region. “22 view-points have been taken up for development at a cost of ₹49 crores. In Mizoram 9 viewpoints have been taken up for development at the cost of 12.78 crores,” he added.

Rakesh Verma, Additional Secretary, Tourism, has shared that the National Tourism Board of India (NTBI) will have a separate M!CE Vertical plus dedicated M!CE promotion for India. “A dedicated funding of ₹50 crore has been proposed for M!CE vertical, which should go into incentivising organisations and associations for getting events in India,” he said.

Rakesh Verma, Additional Secretary, Tourism, while addressing the press at the WTM London, stated that India has achieved phenomenal growth in enhancing infrastructure, which along with massive vaccination drive, will help India to achieve pre-pandemic levels of international tourist arrivals. It also offers huge opportunities for investors and an Investor Summit will be organised by the MOT in February 2023.

With India assuming the G20 Presidency from December 1, the MoT delegation launched ‘Visit India 2023’ at WTM to invite more tourists to the country. Rakesh Verma, Additional Secretary, MoT, stated that India has achieved phenomenal growth in enhancing infrastructure, along with the massive vaccination drive. It will help India achieve pre-pandemic levels of international tourist arrivals. It also offers huge opportunities for investors and an Investor Summit will be organized by the Ministry in February 2023.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged citizens to visit Nadabet and other border areas as part of Seema darshan to further tourism. “Seema Darshan Project adds a new dimension to the tourism sector. It gives the opportunity to appreciate the resilience of those who live on the borders,” he said.

Rakesh Verma, Additional Secretary, Tourism, has said that the National Tourism Board of India will have four representatives from key ministries–Culture, Civil Aviation, External Affairs and Commerce. “Similarly, from the industry, four professionals from different verticals will be nominated on the board,” he added.