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Cover Story
Cover Story Tourism Development
7th largest economy in terms of tourism, but
the world's third largest when it comes to
health tourism as well. Kevadiya symbolizes
the holistic approach to tourist development,
which has become an important subject to
study in the tourism sector.
Be it faith-spiritual-study tourism or health- Our tourism
wellness tourism, cultural tourism or heritage sector benefits the most
tourism or eco-tourism, youth tourism or from better infrastructure,
tourism-related to business activities, India better connectivity. It has always
is becoming the most attractive tourist been my opinion that tourism is such
destination in the world. The tourist places a sector, in which there is a means of
deserted at the time of covid are now being earning for everyone. With minimum
populated once again due to vaccination investment, the maximum income
and India's unprecedented steps against the is possible through tourism. With
epidemic. This sector is rapidly recovering this thinking, work is going on at
after the global pandemic as the government various levels to make the
has given priority to tourism along with the country vocal for local
economic-social sectors affected by this tourism
epidemic.
In June last year, the Government took E-VISA FACILITY, ATTRACTING
steps like free visas to 5 lakh foreign tourists
till March 2022 and a loan of up to Rs 10 MORE TOURISTS
lakh to the stakeholders related to travel and In November 2014, the Government announced
tourism, with a 100% government guarantee e-Visa for citizens of 44 countries in order to
from the Ministry of Tourism. Loans up to Rs make it easier for foreign tourists to visit India.
1 lakh have also been provided to registered This facility now serves people of 165 countries,
tourist guides. However, considering the new up from 44 in 2018. e-Visa is now available at
variant of Covid, increasing the period of free 25 airports and 5 seaports around the country
visa is also being considered. The central A 5-year e-Tourist visa with multiple entrance
government, through various initiatives, has facilities has been introduced in addition to
indicated its intent to take the tourism sector the one-year e-Tourist visa. Additionally, a one-
month e-Tourist visa with dual entry and an
of the country forward. e-Conference visa for government and public-
India is emerging as a shining star on the sector employees have been introduced. In
tourism map of the world. The biggest reason addition, the visa cost has been waived.
for this is e-Visa, connectivity, schemes like
flight, a network of roads, construction of INDIA IS RISING IN GLOBAL RANKINGS
modern infrastructure at tourist places, and
the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi India's ranking in the Global Travel and Tourism
Competitiveness Index has continually increased
as the most popular leader in the world. over the years as a result of the Government's
He is like a brand ambassador for tourists. consistent efforts in the field of tourism. India
It is the result of his image and initiative to is ranked 34th out of 140 countries in the World
promote tourism that the corporate world is Economic Forum's (WEF) report.
not only excited by his 2017 appeal of 'Adopt
a Heritage' to adopt heritage sites, that MoUs 65 52 40 34
for 29 heritage sites have been signed and
state-of-the-art facilities have also been built 2013 2015 2017 2019
at many sites. In his foreign tours, Prime
20 New India Samachar January 16-31, 2022
