SHIMLA/DHARAMSHALA: After the Buddhist Circuit, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has proposed the launch of a new ‘Ambedkar Circuit’ and 'Himalayan Circuit' as parts of action plan for development of tourist circuits under the New Tourism policy vision for 2047 to be ready before Budget Session of Parliament” in India.

New ‘Ambedkar tourist Circuit’  aims at killing two birds with one stone: BJP led NDA government of Modi seeks to integrate “Ambedkarites” in party fold, while promoting tourism among the Dalits in the country”.   

Not only this, if all goes as spelt out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian diaspora and NRIs are also being roped in for promoting tourism in India.  

India has an opportunity to tap foreign tourism as It heads Presidency of G-20.

Each NRI will encourage at least five foreigners to visit India as enunciated by Prime Minister Narender Modi while on a recent foreign tour to different countries.

Many of these steps are crucial to put India tourism industry on track which has suffered huge reverses in foreign  tourists arrivals to the tune over 90 per cent in the Corona Kaal from 2020-2021.

Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Tourism, Culture, who also heads DONER, revealed this at the three-day long national Conference of State Tourism Ministers at Dharamshala today in the presence of MoS Tourism Ajay Bhatt and MoS Tourism Shripad Naik, Chairman FAITH, Nakul Anand, DG Tourism G  Kamala Vardhana Rao.

Reddy made a pitch for the new tourism policy at this meet where delegates from across India.  

The national meet of state Tourism Ministers has  brought “diverse viewpoints and perspectives from across India on tourism development and growth” on board for “ promoting tourism  of New Bharat”.

This aims   to create a direct dialogue with the states on Schemes, policies and steps being taken at a national level for overall tourism improvement in India.

“The conference has come as a platform for sharing of best practices, successful projects, and tourism product opportunities” among stakeholders.

Kishan Reddy told press conference that in the past 75 years, India has become synonymous with tourism, spirituality, transformation, culture, and diversity.

"It is a matter of great pride to celebrate record breaking expansion, leading India to become 5th largest economy in the world", he added.

In a bid to establish  tourism sector as a primary concern, Ministry of Tourism has undertaken  a four-fold development strategy. 

It is focusing on improving the connectivity via air, rail, and roads, enhancing the tourism infrastructure and dependent services.

It is streamlining branding and promotion and showcasing the culture and heritage, he added. 

Highlighting the slogan of ‘Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi’ given by the Prime Minister, Reddy said after vast process of consultations and deliberations, the National Tourism Policy will be brought out before the Budget session.

“Conference is also important in the current context of India’s G20 presidency”.

“G-20 will be used as a platform to showcase India’s tourism potential to the world”, he disclosed. 

Emphasising the importance of air connectivity G Kishan Reddy said number of airports in the country has increased from 74 in 2014 to 140 now.

“It is further proposed to increase number of airports to 220 by 2025”. 

The financial assistance to tourism sector, which is the biggest sufferer due to Covid 19, continues to be extended upto 31st March, 2023, he said.

The Tourism sector generated Rs 16.91 lakh crore (USD 240 billion) or 9.2% of India’s GDP in 2018 and has supported around 42.67 million jobs or 8.1% of total employment.

But Reddy did not share the present status of this sector as it witnessed massive drop in tourist arrivals and job layoffs in the country.

The Conference is divided into thematic sessions.  These are Development of Tourism Infrastructure. Cultural, Spiritual & Heritage tourism.

Then there is Tourism in the Himalayan states. Responsible and sustainable tourism. Role of digital technology for the marketing and promotion of tourism destinations.

Emerging importance of homestays in the Indian hospitality sector, Ayurveda, Wellness, and Medical Value travel, and lastly on Forest and wildlife tourism.

The Ministry has sanctioned Rs 7000 crores for development of tourism infrastructure throughout the country.

A number of 76 projects have been sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme in 30 States and UTs for building tourist infrastructure across various themes.

The PRASHAD Scheme aim to strengthen the tourist facilities around spiritual locations, under which 39 projects have been sanctioned in 24 States. 

The infrastructure development at these tourists, pilgrimage and heritage destinations focuses on cleanliness, security, universal accessibility, service delivery, skill development and livelihood of local communities.

The Ministry has recently launched the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 with the objective  to  develop  sustainable  and  responsible  destinations  following  a  tourist & destination  centric  approach. 

It is a development of the previous Schemes and would and the objective is to evolve as a holistic mission to develop sustainable and responsible tourist destinations covering tourism and allied infrastructure, tourism services, human capital development, destination management and promotion backed by policy and institutional reforms.

The National Conference also aims to build a common vision for tourism and it’s growth as we move towards India @ 2047, Reddy said.

The upcoming 25 years being the Amrit Kaal, the aim of the Conference is to begin a common conversation between the State and Central Governments for setting the vision for tourism in India in the year 2047.

After the Press Conference, the event was also attended by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur who hosted dinner for the ministers and delegates.

He said national level event would not only play a very significant role in shaping the vision for tourism sectors across the country keeping in view the future scenario, but also a road map for Himachal Pradesh.

The ministers and delegates would churn out ideas for vision of promoting tourism 2047.

It remains to be seen how slack Indian tourism industry more particularly new ‘Ambedkar circuit’ and ‘Himalayan circuit’ take their its shape. Or else they will be  doomed  as “slogans” catching and grabbing public attention for the “sake of electoral politics”.