Tourism in India touches new heights in 2005

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has disclosed that Indian tourism touched new heights in 2005 with the growth of about 13.5 percent in arrivals and about 20 percent in foreign exchange earnings.

The Ministry of Tourism shared that in the first 11 months of the year, 3.35 million tourists visited the country while the number during the corresponding period of last year was 2.59 million. Similarly, foreign exchange earnings through these arrivals during January – November 2005 period was Rs. 22,958 crore (US$5135 million) against Rs.17,039 crore (US$3873 million) during the corresponding period of last year.
 
“Going by the average of five percent global tourism growth, India has emerged as one of the fastest growing tourism destinations. The launching of several innovative schemes like ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ (treat guest like god), ‘Priyadarshini’ (for empowerment of women’s job in tourism) and ‘Rural Tourism’ has enabled India to emerge as one of the hottest destinations in the world,” stated the Ministry. It added: “India has been ranked fifth among the world’s tourists’ hot spots and also the fastest growing tourism, 8.8 percent annually by World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).”
 
WTTC also projected India as one of the, emerging tourism markets having potential of $24 billion annual foreign exchange earnings through tourism by 2015.
 
The year started with the launching of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ in January this year. The social awareness campaign is aimed at providing the inbound tourists  the sense of being welcomed by, and to the country.  The components of the campaign are orientation and training to taxi drivers, guides, immigration officers, tourist police and other personnel directly interacting with the tourists.  Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Agra and Augrangabad were covered in first phase. 26,000 service providers were given training in these cities.  After successful completion of first phase, second phase of the campaign launched in November, 2005 with the target of training and sensitizing 75,000 personnel by the end of next year under the campaign.
 
In order to promote India as ideal destination for cruise tourism, initiatives were taken to formulize the policy to look into issues like immigration, customs, quarantine restrictions, identification of ports, infrastructural facilities, connectivity, taxation issues in this regard. A high power steering group constituted in April to give a shape cruise shipping policy.  Foreign cruise liners were briefed about opportunities available in India. 
 
Recognizing the important role tourism can play as a catalyst for development in rural areas, a Rural Tourism scheme was launched this year.  The objective is not only to showcase art, craft and heritage but also to ensure that benefits of the tourism reach to rural areas. In consultation with the state governments, 63 rural sites were identified and US$114,500 sanctioned for the each during the year.

By Satish G. l eTN Asia
 
NEW DELHI, India (eTurboNews)

December 29, 2005   Posted in: India