India’s share in International tourist arrival (Inbound
India Tour) is a meager .64%. With thousands of years rich ancestral lineage of
culture, civilization, monuments, unique life styles and, above all, unmatched
traditional ethics of ‘Atithi Devo Bhav’, the Working Group on Tourism, set up
by Planning Commission, has targeted India’s share in International tourist
arrival in India at 1% by the end of 12th Five Year Plan. Though the
tours to India are on rise since last several years but to achieve exponential
growth of Indian tourism industry, concerted efforts have to be made. The
targeted figure has to be achieved on the basis of three pronged approach:
(a)
Various promotional efforts highlighting India
in general and various Indian tourist destinations in particular. With regard
to that Indian tour operators may
offer customized India Tour Packages.
(b)
Promotion of prioritized Indian tourist
destinations will be a focused drive. The prioritization of select Indian
tourist destinations will be reached at on the basis of consultation with
respective state governments by the Union Government of India.
(c)
Central Financial Assistance to States/UTs will
be provided for promoting tourism projects in various states. This financial
assistance will be utilized to improve the road connectivity leading to the
tourist sites, especially from the National Highways/State highways and other
entry points under its Plan Scheme of Product/Infrastructure Development for
Destinations and Circuits.
(d)
Though the emphasis will be on International
tourist arrival in India but the domestic tourism will also be supported so
that the present 12% growth rate of Indian tourism industry remains intact.
(e)
Various infrastructural projects will be given
due diligence at the time of their speedy implementation.
