India eyes 2% share of global tourist arrivals by 2025

The Indian government wants to make the country an attractive tourist destination so that its share in world tourist arrivals rises to 2 per cent by 2025 from the present 0.68 per cent, according to a recently released draft of the National Tourism Policy. The Ministry of Tourism has invited comments from the public on the National Tourism Policy by May 10. The policy outlines the vision, mission and objectives that the country wants to achieve in the travel and tourism segment as well as detailed delivery mechanisms, product development, infrastructure requirement and the skill development that are required.

The contribution of travel and tourism to gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to rise by 7.3 per cent a year to Rs.1,658.7 crore in 2025, accounting for 7.6 per cent of GDP, from Rs.764.25 crore, or 6.7 per cent of GDP, in 2014, as per data compiled by World Travel and Tourism Council, an industry body. Foreign tourist arrivals in India increased from 2.38 million in 2002 to 7.7 million in 2014, while global international tourist arrivals are expected to grow from 1.1 billion to 1.8 billion by 2030, according to United Nations World Tourism Organization.

Source: http://goo.gl/t3Bea0