Page 34 - NIS English January 16-31
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Tourism
The Wonder That Is India
ADOPT A HERITAGE: MEDICAL
APNI DHAROHAR, APNI TOURISM
PEHCHAAN: This scheme
aims at developing l Medical tourism has made it to the top in terms of
heritage sites and making them tourist friendly foreign exchange earnings
in a planned and phased manner. It aims to l As per reports in 2020, India’s medical tourism
encourage private/public companies/organisations sector is estimated to be worth $5–6 Billion
and individuals to adopt monuments, natural l Since August 30, 2019, foreigners can receive
heritage sites and other tourist sites in the any medical treatment in India with the exception
of organ transplants without a medical visa
country, primarily under CSR
PILGRIMAGE REJUVENATION AND RISE IN NUMBER OF TOURISTS ARRIVALS
SPIRITUAL, HERITAGE AUGMENTATION
l Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) during 2019 were
DRIVE (PRASHAD): With an objective of 10.89 Million (Provisional) with a growth of 3.2%
promoting pilgrimage tourism, the scheme has over same period of the previous year
identified 51 sites l During the year 2019, the estimated Foreign
in 28 States for Exchange Earnings from Tourism was Rs
development. 2,11,661 Crore with an annual Growth Rate of 8.6
Since the per cent
inception of the l During 2019, the number of domestic tourist
scheme, an visits to the States/UTs was 2321.98 Million as
amount of Rs 840.02 Crore has been sanctioned compared to 1853.79 Million in 2018 registering a
for 28 projects in 17 States growth of 25.3 per cent
DEVELOPING NICHE TOURISM PRODUCTS:
e-VISA AND OTHER FACILITIES FOR TOURISTS
Ministry of Tourism has taken up the initiative
l e-Visa facility is now available for citizens of 165
of identification,
countries. It is now available at 25 airports and 5
diversification,
sea ports
development and
l A multi-lingual 24-hour helpline started for
promotion of niche
tourists
tourism products
l Validity of e-Visa increased from 30 to 60 days.
of the country like Cruise, Adventure, Medical,
Welcome Cards are being given to tourists
Wellness, Golf, Polo, Meetings Incentives
visiting India. It will provide all important
Conferences & Exhibitions (MICE), Eco-tourism,
information at one place
Film Tourism, Sustainable Tourism etc. to
l Visiting hours for 10 important historical
overcome ‘seasonality’ challenge in tourism and
monuments in the country revised. They will now
to promote India as a 365-day destination
remain open from 9 AM to 9 PM
as well as the overall health of the economy are different programmes like ‘India’s Hidden Gems’
Swadesh Darshan and Pilgrimage Rejuvenation which focused on less visited but attractive
and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive destinations. Another was ‘Birding in India’,
(PRASHAD). Tourism industry is badly impacted centred around birds and birding opportunities
due to Corona pandemic. According to CII, in the country. India is truly like a kaleidoscope,
number of foreign tourists has decreased by 58- where every twist and turn presents one with a
78 per cent. But during the pandemic too, the different pattern of landscape, colour, cuisine
Government remained persistent in its efforts and culture. The best way to experience this is
to promote tourism through its webinar series– by travelling to destinations as much as you can
Dekho Apna Desh. This virtual series is an effort that are not popular on the internet.
to showcase India’s rich diversity under Ek Bharat Thus, one can say that Indian tourism is now
Shreshtha Bharat programme. Through this more than welcoming for the world to come and
webinar series, the Ministry of Tourism initiated enjoy the wonder that is India.
32 New India Samachar
