Travel and Tourism is the largest service industry in India. The Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) during April- June 2017 were 2.04 million as compared to 1.67 million during the same period in 2016, showing a growth of 22.5%. The Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) for the Quarter were 40,183 Crores as compared to 32,432 Crores in the corresponding period in 2016, registering a growth of 23.9 %. The FTAs on e-tourist Visa stood at 2,49,762 in April- June, 2017 as compared to 1,50,860 in April- June, 2016 registering a growth of 65.6%.
Hotels are an important component of the tourism product. They contribute to the overall tourism experience through the standards of facilities and services offered by them.
In order to give a boost to the MICE tourism, the Govt. of India has decided to extend the benefits under Market Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme, administered by the Ministry of Tourism, to ‘Active Members’ of India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB) towards bidding for International Conferences / Conventions, thereby bringing more MICE business to the country.
As a direct consequence of all these initiatives taken by Central Government & various State Governments during past few years, India gained 12 ranks in the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) prepared by the World Economic Forum. As compared to the prior 52nd rank in the year 2015, India now ranks 40th in the TTCI in the year 2017.
Still it is always felt that with India’s vast bounties of nature, its great treasures of art, architecture and philosophical thought, its rich cultural heritage, its varied rural countryside and wildlife, age-old practices of Yoga, Siddha, etc. spread across different States/Union Territories (UTs), there is immense tourism potential to tap. The Government of India has recently adopted the “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” to sensitize all sections of society on the importance of cleanliness and hygiene in public places particularly monuments and tourist destinations. In line with this, Ministry of Tourism has also introduced a bouquet of new schemes like Swadesh Darshan; PRASAD, Swachh Bharat – Swachh Smarak, Swachh Pakwan; Medical and Wellness Tourism Promotion Board; e-Tourist Visa; Incredible India Helpline; Parytak Police etc. These set of new initiatives are slated to bring revolutionary changes in India’s tourism sector.
In this background, Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) jointly with Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India is organizing a two day conference and exposition on “Travel and Tourism” sector in India. The conference entitled “Travel India 2017” would take place at Taj Bengal, Kolkata on 19th & 20th December, 2017.
For more information, please contact the Regional Secretary of BCCI, Mr. Kelzang, Gelephu Region, at keldhen80@gmail.com. Tel:+975(06) 252021.Fax:+975 (06) 252023. Mobile No.+975 17287489/ +975 77620455.