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Jaipur, 09 December (Hindustan Reporter). Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that India’s tourism sector is full of extraordinary potential compared to any other country in the world. More than five thousand years of civilizational history, 43 World Heritage Sites, 56 potential World Heritage Sites and approximately 3,500 monuments of national importance are living evidence of our cultural potential.
Speaking at the session ‘Embracing Diversity: Promoting Inclusive Tourism’ at the Rising Rajasthan Investment Summit, Shekhawat said that the importance of tourism is more cultural than economic or commercial. This is the specialty of this area. Therefore, it is important that we have a clear understanding of the cultural elements and factors associated with the creation of the Indian nation. In the last decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has continuously taken India’s development forward with the vision of heritage as well as development, linking it to India’s superiority and its traditional uniqueness. Today, if India is the fastest growing economy in the world, then the main reason behind this is our pride in our culture, which shapes our identity in the whole world and establishes our cultural identity.
Shekhawat said that India has made extraordinary progress in the tourism sector. Nearly 1 lakh 50 thousand kilometer long road network, 500 new airways schemes, 150 new airports, launch of high speed trains like Vande Bharat, completion of 100 tourism infrastructure projects, ushering in a golden era of ease of tourism and connectivity in the country. It has happened. Especially during the presidency of G-20, the way more than 60 destinations got recognition at the global level, the world’s interest in India has increased. The result of all these efforts and adaptations is that in the year 2022-2023, the tourism sector in India has generated 76.17 million direct and indirect jobs, which is more than 69.56 million in 2013-2014. Foreign exchange earnings are projected to increase from US$19.69 billion in 2014 to US$28.07 billion in 2023, representing an increase of 42.53 per cent.
The Union Minister said that the Ministry of Tourism of the Government of India is making several efforts under the vision of Developed India with the aim of developing tourism as a sustainable, responsible and inclusive source of economic growth. We aim to enhance the overall tourist experience in India, develop new tourism destinations and experiences based on potential, empower individuals through tourism skills and create employment, in partnership with States and Union Territories and the private sector. To create favorable conditions for tourism.
Shekhawat said Rajasthan is a role model for other states as the tourism sector contributes about 12 per cent to the state’s GDP, which is the highest in the country. The number of tourists in the state has increased from 5.38 crore in 2019 to 18.07 crore in 2023. Rajasthan is part of the Golden Triangle Circuit, which attracts 35 per cent of total foreign tourist arrivals in India. There are nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The state is the most preferred destination for ‘Destination Weddings’ and ‘Heritage and Leisure Tourism’. 68 percent (140 out of 206 hotels) of total heritage hotels in India are in Rajasthan. The state has immense potential for tourist activities with the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (58% in Rajasthan) and the Dedicated Freight Corridor (39% in Rajasthan). Investment in tourism and hospitality sector in Rajasthan has increased from Rs 1,689 crore in 2015-16 to Rs 4,847 crore in 2023-24.
The Union Minister said that Rajasthan was the first among the states to give industrial status to the tourism and hospitality sector. Rajasthan’s initiative has now become a model for other states and union territories. Based on the efforts and experience of Rajasthan, the Ministry of Tourism has prepared a handbook for other states so that they can also give industrial status to the tourism sector. The central and state governments are working together day and night to transform the state into a major global destination with the aim of developing Rajasthan in Rajasthan Vision 2047. He said that the Tourism Ministry of the Government of India is committed to provide every possible support for the tourism development of Rajasthan.