With a view to stimulate the tourism industry in India and increase the number of foreign tourists in the coming years, the tourism ministry has envisaged a budgetary allocation of Rs 20,000-22,000 crore in the 12th Five Year Plan.
Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay said the department is eyeing 12 per cent growth in inbound tourists, up from the present 8-8.5 per cent.
The minister was here to participate in the conclave on ‘Integrated Planning & Marketing of Cinematic Tourism in Northern India’.
He said, in the 12th Five Year Plan, apart from focusing on growth in the inbound tourism sector, focus would be on creating ‘integrated tourist circuits’. These circuits would help the state become a tourist destination instead of serving as a transit point. It would focus on helping states garner maximum revenue through tourism .
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Showing concern over the meagre percentage of inbound tourists, the minister called for effective steps that need to be taken to improve the tourism scenario. While the share of outbound tourists is 3.5 per cent, the contribution of inbound tourists is just 0.5 per cent. The minister maintained they were looking to take steps to further improve the percentage of inbound tourists. Among other steps suggested, one was seeking infrastructure status for the tourism sector.
It is estimated for every Rs 10 lakh invested in tourism, 78 jobs are created. Cinematic tourism has been considered as a catalyst for growth of inbound tourisms in country.
Gulshan Sharma, President North India Management Association (Nitma) said countries like Switzerland, Thailand and Australia have indeed registered an increase in inflow of tourists from India because of the exposure of places in Indian films. Acknowledging the role of cinematic tourism, Sahay said, “to increase inbound tourism in India, cinematic tourism could be leveraged.”
He added the role of private players in promoting tourist destinations should also be realised. In Gujarat, private players have come forward to develop 40 tourist spots.
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