New Delhi, Jan 25 : The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has called for targeted interventions to unlock the potential of India’s tourism sector and generate employment-intensive growth. Highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach, the industry body emphasized the importance of capacity building and developing lesser-known tourist destinations to transform the sector into a key driver of economic progress.
In a statement released on Friday, the apex industry body outlined an eight-point agenda for promoting tourism, some of which it hopes will find a place in the upcoming Union Budget. The agenda includes measures to foster infrastructure development, improve safety, and enhance collaboration among stakeholders.
National Tourism Policy 2022: A Framework for Growth
The CII urged the government to expedite the formal introduction of the National Tourism Policy 2022, which has been crafted after extensive consultations with stakeholders. According to the industry body, the policy provides a roadmap for coordinated efforts among various ministries, state governments, and other stakeholders to achieve the ambitious goal of raising tourism’s contribution to GDP to $1 trillion by 2047.
Strengthening Governance and Coordination
The CII proposed the formation of an inter-ministerial group, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary or the Prime Minister’s Office, to ensure seamless coordination between central ministries and state governments in driving tourism initiatives.
Developing Lesser-Known Destinations
A key recommendation involves scaling up efforts to identify and develop lesser-known tourist destinations. While the government had previously announced plans to develop 50 new tourist hotspots, the CII suggested expanding the initiative to 200 destinations, implemented within a defined timeframe, to capitalize on the sector’s vast untapped potential.
Addressing Infrastructure Gaps
Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of CII, stressed the importance of boosting accommodation capacity across different categories and geographies. The CII proposed delinking infrastructure status for hotels from restrictive geographical or population-based criteria to promote more inclusive growth in the hospitality sector.
Tourism on the Concurrent List
To elevate tourism’s significance on the national agenda, the industry body advocated for including the sector in the concurrent list. This move, it argued, would allow both the Centre and state governments to legislate and collaborate more effectively in promoting tourism.
Incentives and Marketing Campaigns
The CII recommended granting deemed export status to foreign exchange earnings from foreign tourists and exempting them from GST to enhance the sector’s competitiveness. It also called for the launch of a revamped “Incredible India 3.0” campaign to spotlight India’s diverse attractions through coordinated domestic and international marketing efforts.
Enhancing Safety and Crisis Management
Tourist safety remains a critical area of focus. The CII proposed a “Mission Suraksha” initiative, which would include deploying dedicated tourist police and ensuring 24/7 security at major destinations. It also urged the government to develop crisis management plans to bolster trust and confidence among travelers.
With strategic interventions, the CII believes the tourism sector can emerge as a cornerstone of India’s economic growth, leveraging its multiplier effect to create employment and spur development. The recommendations, if implemented, have the potential to position India as a global tourism hub in the coming decades.