GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Economy – Tourism
Source: LM
Context: Thailand is known for its tourism. This article highlights lessons that can be incorporated by India to boost its tourism sector.
Initiatives by Thailand:
- Introducing visa-free travel for G20 countries and Southeast Asian neighbours, as Thailand does, to attract more foreign tourists.
- Thailand’s ability to respond quickly to changes in the tourism industry, as demonstrated by their decision to eliminate the Thailand Pass requirement, boosted tourist arrivals.
Statistics of Tourism in India:
- Attracted only 11 million tourists in 2019.
- India’s Tourism is ranked 10th position in terms of its contribution to World GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in the World Travel and Tourism Council’s report in 2019.
- During 2019, the contribution of travel & tourism to GDP was 6.8% of the total economy.
- In FY20, the tourism sector in India accounted for 39 million jobs, which was 8.0% of the total employment in the country.By 2029, it is expected to account for about 53 million jobs.
Examples from Thailand:
- The presence of street food options in a luxurious shopping mall, where tourists can order using QR codes and receive VAT refunds. The affordability of the food contrasts with the expensive fashion brands available upstairs.
- Increasing vegan and vegetarian options to attract more Indian tourists.
| Importance of ‘Tourism’ in India | Challenges to the Growth of Tourism in India |
| Generates Income and Employment | Inadequate infrastructure (roads, water, hotels, etc.) |
| Boosts the service sector | Safety and security concerns for tourists |
| Contributes to foreign exchange earnings | Lack of skilled manpower |
| Helps in preserving national heritage and environment | Absence of basic amenities at tourist places |
| Renews cultural pride | Seasonality in tourism |
| Puts India on the global map of tourism and initiates cultural exchange | Non-acceptance of international cards at small outlets |
| Facilitates cultural diplomacy and people-to-people connect |
Indian Initiatives to Boost Tourism:
| Tourism Development Schemes/Initiatives | Description |
| Swadesh Darshan Scheme | Provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for infrastructure development of theme-based circuits |
| Circuits | North-East India Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, and Heritage Circuit |
| PRASHAD Scheme | Undertakes integrated development of pilgrimage destinations, including employment generation |
| Adopt a Heritage Project | Entrusts heritage and tourist sites to private and public sector companies for development |
| Paryatan Parv | Encourage Indians to visit tourist destinations |
Insta Links:
Schemes under the Ministry of Tourism
Mains Link:
Evaluate the policies and schemes that are being used to promote tourism in India amidst the impact of covid-19 pandemic.
