Tag Archives: domestic tourism

Over 18 mn int’l tourist arrivals in 2023: Centre

 

India recorded 18.89 million international tourist arrivals in 2023 as foreign exchange earnings (FEEs) through tourism last year surged to Rs 2,31,927 crore, the government said on Wednesday.

Foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in India during 2023 were 9.52 million and domestic tourist visits (DTVs) were 2,509 million, according to data released by the ministry of tourism. The ministry sanctioned a total of 76 projects for an amount of Rs 5,287.9 crore under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, of which 75 projects are physically complete.

Under this, 40 projects worth Rs 3,295.76 crore were approved under special assistance to states for capital investment (SASCI) for development of iconic tourist centres to global scale across 23 states, and 34 projects were sanctioned for Rs 793.2 crore under the ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0’ (SD2.0) initiative.

The Swadesh Darshan Scheme has been revamped as SD2.0 with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible destinations following a tourist and destination-centric approach.

 

Source: IANS

Kashmir sees 15% growth in tourism post Covid: Union Tourism Minister

The Kashmir region has experienced a surge in tourism, with footfall increasing by over 15% since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

Speaking at the 25th Annual National Convention of the Tourist Guides Federation of India, held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, Shekhawat emphasised the robust growth in domestic tourism across India.

He noted that popular tourist destinations are witnessing unprecedented crowds and stressed the need to redirect both domestic and international tourists to lesser-known, offbeat locations. Shekhawat highlighted lavender cultivation in South Kashmir as a key attraction, revealing that more than 2.5 million visitors have flocked to the region recently to witness its beauty.

The Minister’s remarks underscore the importance of the tourism sector’s readiness to accommodate the increasing number of travelers, ensuring sustainable growth and balanced distribution of tourist activity across the country.

Sudha Murthy calls for tagging 57 domestic sites under World Heritage status

In her maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, philanthropist and author Sudha Murty highlighted promoting domestic tourism.

Murty proposed that 57 domestic tourist sites be considered for World Heritage status. These include the Bahubali statue in Karnataka, Lingaraja Temple, Unakoti rock carvings in Tripura, Shivaji forts in Maharashtra, Chausath Yogini temple in Mitawali, Lothal in Gujarat, and Gol Gumbad, among others.

“In India, we have 42 World Heritage sites but 57 are pending … we should bother about those 57 sites,” Murty stressed.

She underscored the importance of preserving India’s cultural heritage, mentioning landmarks like the Srirangam temples and Mughal gardens in Kashmir.

Murty further emphasised the need for improved facilities such as toilets and roads to enhance tourist experiences and boost revenue.

“There are beautiful Mughal gardens in Kashmir. We always go and see the film shootings, but we never realise that they are not in the World Heritage Sites. The package should be done very well so that people can come and see them. The package should be conveniently done so that we should have good toilets and roads so that the tourists can come. It will increase our revenue in our own country,” she explained.

Drawing parallels, Murty linked the design of the old Parliament Building to ancient Indian architecture, specifically citing inspiration from the Chausath Yogini temple in Mitawali, Madhya Pradesh.

 

Trip Navigator eyes 66% growth this fiscal

Trip Navigator is aiming to achieve 66% revenue increase in the upcoming year. Building on its success in 2023, which saw a revenue increase of INR 60 crore, the company now sets its sights on further growth.

Aligning with the Government of India’s initiatives to boost domestic tourism and expand international offerings, Trip Navigator unveils its strategic plans for 2024, demonstrating its commitment to innovation and excellence in the travel sector.

In the realm of MICE tourism, especially in corporate outings within India, there’s a noticeable trend towards integrating local culture and heritage into itineraries. Tapping into the prevailing trend, Trip Navigator appreciates the value of authentic experiences, hence, they focus on partnering with luxury properties in off-beat locations like Lakshadweep and the North East, aiming to enhance the appeal of these destinations.

Additionally, the company actively promotes cruise tourism, acknowledging its increasing popularity among corporations for incentive trips and recreational activities. Through these initiatives, the corporate travel firm aims to utilize its expertise and network to create exceptional experiences for corporate clients and further promote domestic tourism.

Abhishek Gupta, Co-Founder of Trip Navigator Private Ltd., said, “Looking ahead to 2024, Trip Navigator is driven by a dual mission: to elevate domestic tourism and expand global MICE destinations. Our focus is twofold: showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage and exploring emerging international locales. We’re dedicated to crafting immersive experiences in offbeat Indian destinations, aligning with government initiatives. Simultaneously, we’re eyeing vibrant international markets to offer our clients unparalleled corporate experiences. As we journey forward, Trip Navigator remains committed to innovation and excellence, both at home and abroad.”

Furthermore, the global MICE industry’s exponential growth underscores the vast potential for innovation and expansion. Valued at USD 805.0 billion in 2017 and estimated to reach USD 1,337.4 billion by 2028, the sector presents a myriad of opportunities for companies like Trip Navigator to capitalize on emerging trends and market demands.

The travel aggregator is primed to seize these opportunities and has observed increased interest in unique destinations such as Sri Lanka and Central Asian countries like Tashkent, Almaty, Georgia, and Baku. Southeast Asia, particularly Vietnam, has emerged as a strong market, with successful events already hosted in the first quarter of the year. With its extensive network and expertise, Trip Navigator leads innovation within the sector, both domestically and internationally.

With a commitment to delivering exceptional experiences, Trip Navigator aims to identify new and unexplored destinations, both within India and abroad, to provide its clients with innovative and memorable offsites, Rewards and Recognition (R&R) activities, and dealer meets. The company’s goal for 2024 is to achieve steady growth, driven by strategic planning and a dedication to service excellence.

 

Religious tourism to create 2 lakhs jobs in 5yrs: NLB Services

Religious tourism is expected to create up to 2 lakh job opportunities in the next 4-5 years, global technology and digital talent solutions provider NLB Services CEO Sachin Alug has said.

Religious tourism has been gaining momentum in India and is expected to grow annually at over 16 per cent between 2023 and 2030, Alug said.

According to him, the segment accounts for 60 per cent of domestic tourism.

“In the next 4-5 years, religious tourism is anticipated to create up to two lakh job opportunities. With a projected revenue of USD 60 billion by 2028, religious tourism will open employment avenues for both temporary and permanent workers,” Alug told PTI.

According to industry reports, the number of overnight journeys for pilgrimages went up post-Covid and there was a 14 per cent rise in donations in 2021-2022, he said.

The recent inauguration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya could further boost religious tourism, he said.
“The inauguration of Ram Mandir alone is expected to add nearly 25,000 jobs across multiple roles, such as chef, front desk manager, housekeeping, and tour guide,” Alug said.

“Religious tourism is expected to bolster opportunities for entrepreneurship in food services, consumer goods, hospitality, transportation, religious materials, handicraft, local textile, logistics, warehousing, and packaging, among others.

“We anticipate a rise of 6-8 per cent in new enterprises catering specifically to religious tourists across the country,” he added.

According to the Ministry of Tourism data, 1,439 million people embarked on religious tourism in 2022 while such destinations earned INR 1.34 lakh crore.

Several small towns and non-metro cities in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Odisha are witnessing a large influx of tourists, Alug added.

US firm, UP Tourism ink deal for 100-room resort in Ayodhya

Following the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Lord Ram at the temple in Ayodhya, there has been an upsurge in tourist inflow to the town.

This uptick has spurred investments in the hospitality sector to enhance tourism potential and cater to the growing influx of visitors.

“In line with this trend, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on January 27 in the presence of Tourism Director Prakhar Mishra, sealing a partnership with the American firm Anjali Investments LLC at Paryatan Bhawan,” as per a press release from the UP Chief Minister’s Office.

The agreement focuses on the construction of a 100-room resort in Ayodhya. This development is poised to elevate the amenities available to tourists and guests, fostering the growth of tourism in the region and offering top-notch facilities to visitors.

The American firm is led by Ramesh Nangurnoori, an entrepreneur from Hyderabad engaged in real estate and other businesses in the US.

“The resort aims to enhance the facilities available to tourists and guests, thereby contributing to the overall growth of tourism in the region. Ramesh Nangurnoori emphasised the strategic decision to invest in Ayodhya’s hospitality sector, citing the substantial tourism potential after the consecration of the Ram temple,” the release said.

“Suitable land has already been identified, and with the signing of the MoU with Uttar Pradesh Tourism, the construction work is slated to commence soon. The investor praised the investor-friendly policies of the tourism department,” it added.

Director of Tourism, Prakhar Mishra, highlighted that the construction of the hotel and resort would enhance the overall experience for tourists and devotees visiting the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The anticipated increase in the number of tourists is expected to generate new employment opportunities for the locals.

“Echoing these sentiments, Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh emphasised the rapid development of Uttar Pradesh in the tourism sector. The state currently leads in domestic tourism, and continuous efforts are underway to attract more foreign tourists,” as per the release.

The inauguration of the Ram Temple has led to an unexpected surge in tourists, prompting a proactive approach to encourage investments in hotels and resorts for improved facilities for visitors.

The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of Lord Ram was held on January 22, with the main rituals performed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The idol of Ram Lalla was unveiled after the rituals. Later, on January 23, the Ram Temple was thrown open to the general public.
(Source;: ANI)