PM addresses Post Budget Webinar on Developing Tourism in Mission Mode
“These webinars work as a catalyst in achieving the goals set during the
budget”
“We will have to think out of the box and plan ahead to achieve new heights in
tourism”
“Tourism is not a high fancy word representing the rich”
“This year’s Budget focuses on the holistic development of the destinations”
“Increase in the facilities has led to a manifold increase in the arrival of
devotees at Kashi Vishwanath, Kedar Dham, Pavagadh”
“Every tourist destination can develop its own revenue model”
“Our villages are becoming centers of tourism due to their improving
infrastructure”
“8 lakh foreign tourists have come to India in January this year compared to
only 2 lakhs in January last year”
“India has a lot to offer to high-spending tourists also”
“Tourism has the same potential in the country as agriculture, real estate
development, infrastructure and textile”
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, addressed a Post Budget Webinar on
the subject of ‘Developing Tourism in Mission Mode’. It is the seventh of a
series of 12 post-budget webinars organized by the government to seek ideas and
suggestions for effectively implementing the initiatives announced in the Union
Budget 2023.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister remarked that the new India
of today is moving forward with a new work culture. He expressed delight at the
appreciation shown towards this year’s Budget by the people of India.
Reflecting on the previous work culture, the Prime Minister said that something
as innovative as the post-budget webinars would not have existed if not for the
present government’s spirit of discussions with all the stakeholders before and
after the budget. The Prime Minister underlined that the main objective of
these webinars is to maximize the output of the budget as well as its timely
implementation. “These webinars work as a catalyst in achieving the goals set
during the budget”, Shri Modi said. Speaking from the experience of working as
the head of the government for more than 20 years, the Prime Minister
emphasized that the desired results are achieved within the stipulated time
when all stakeholders align themselves with any strategic decisions taken by
the government. He expressed happiness at the suggestions received through the
post-budget webinars that have been conducted so far.
The Prime Minister underlined the need to think out of the box and plan
ahead to take tourism in India to new heights. Throwing light on the parameters
before a tourist destination is developed, the Prime Minister listed out the
potential of the place, ease of travelling to the destination, and new ways to
promote the destination. He further added that emphasizing these parameters
helps in preparing a roadmap for the future. The Prime Minister highlighted the
huge scope of tourism in the country and listed out coastal tourism, beach
tourism, mangrove tourism, Himalayan tourism, adventure tourism, wildlife
tourism, eco-tourism, heritage tourism, spiritual tourism, wedding
destinations, tourism via conferences and sports tourism. He also gave the
example of Ramayan Circuit, Buddha Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Northeast Circuit,
Gandhi Circuit, and pilgrimages of all saints, and stressed the need to work
together collectively on this. The Prime Minister informed that several places
in India have been identified through the route of competitive spirit and
challenge in this year’s Budget while also focussing on the holistic
development of the destinations. Shri Modi asked for a detailed discussion on
how different stakeholders can be engaged.
The Prime Minister busted the myth that tourism is a fancy word
associated only with the high-income groups of the country. He noted that
yatras have been a part of India’s cultural and social life for centuries and
people used to go on pilgrimages even when there were no resources available to
them. He gave the example of Char Dham Yatra, Dwadash Jyotirling Yatra, 51
Shaktipeeth Yatra and said that it is used to connect the places of our faith
while also strengthening the unity of the country. Observing that the entire
economy of many big cities of the country was dependent on these yatras, the
Prime Minister lamented the lack of development to enhance facilities suited to
the times despite the age-old tradition of yatras. He pointed out that
hundreds of years of slavery and the political neglect of these places in the
decades after independence were the root cause that inflicted damage to the
country. “The India of today is changing this situation”, the Prime Minister
interjected as he noted that the increase in the facilities leads to an
increase in the attraction among the tourists. He gave the example of Kashi
Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi and informed that around 80 lakh people used to
visit the temple in a year before it was rebuilt, but the tourist footfall
crossed 7 crores last year after the renovation. He also informed that 15 lakh
devotees have gone to see Baba Kedar compared to only 4-5 lakhs before the
completion of reconstruction work in Kedarghati. Similarly in Pavagadh of
Gujarat, the Prime Minister informed that 80 thousand pilgrims go for the
darshan of Maa Kalika compared to only 4 to 5 thousand people before the
renovation. The Prime Minister noted that the increase in facilities has a
direct impact on the number of tourists and the increasing numbers mean more
opportunities for employment and self-employment. The Prime Minister also
touched upon the Statue of Unity, the tallest statue in the world and informed
that 27 lakh tourists visited the place within a year of its completion. He
underlined that India's tourism sector can increase manifold with growing civic
amenities, good digital connectivity, good hotels and hospitals, no trace of
filth, and excellent infrastructure.
The Prime Minister also mentioned the Kankaria lake project in
Ahmedabad, Gujarat and informed that skill development for those working in the
food stalls was carried out apart from the redevelopment of the lake. He
emphasized on cleanliness along with modern infrastructure and informed that
about 10,000 people visit the place every day despite the applicable entry
fees. “Every tourist destination can also develop its own revenue model”, the
Prime Minister said.
“Our villages are becoming centres of tourism”, the Prime Minister
remarked as he underlined that remote villages are now coming up on the tourism
map due to their improving infrastructure. He informed that the Central Government
has started the Vibrant Village Scheme for the villages situated along the
border and emphasized the need to support businesses such as homestays, small
hotels and restaurants.
Throwing the spotlight on the increasing number of foreign tourists in
India, the Prime Minister noted the growing attraction towards India and
informed that 8 lakh foreign tourists have come to India in January this year
compared to only 2 lakhs in January last year. The Prime Minister also
underlined the need to profile such tourists and create a special strategy to
attract them to the country who have the maximum spending capacity. He informed
that foreign tourists who come to India spend an average of $1700, while
international travelers spend an average of $2500 in America and around $5000
in Australia. “India has a lot to offer to high-spending tourists”, he pointed
out. The Prime Minister stressed that every state needs to change its
tourism policy to align with this thought. He gave the example of bird watchers
who camp in the country for months and underlined that policies should be made
to target such potential tourists.
Highlighting the basic challenge of the tourism sector, the Prime
Minister pointed out the lack of professional tourist guides here and stressed
the need for certificate courses in local colleges for guides. He suggested
that guides working in a particular tourist destination should also have a
specific dress or uniform so that tourists will come to know at first glance.
The Prime Minister noted that a tourist’s mind is full of questions and guides
can help them find answers to all those questions.
The Prime Minister also stressed promoting school and college trips to
the northeast so that more people become aware and start developing
infrastructure and facilities for tourists. He also emphasized promoting
wedding destinations as well as sports destinations. The Prime Minister
insisted on developing 50 such tourist destinations that every tourist from
around the globe is bound to visit on his trip to India. He also mentioned
developing apps for tourist destinations in all languages listed in the United
Nations.
Concluding the address, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that
this webinar will seriously consider every aspect related to tourism and come
up with better solutions. “Tourism has the same potential in the country as
agriculture, real estate development, infrastructure and textile”, the Prime
Minister concluded.