Tourism Policy in India

Atithi Devo Bhava

Guest is God

India is a journey of mind and soul

It is a journey of the five senses

It is a journey of self-discovery

It is a journey of self-fulfilment

Introduction

The policy document seeks to enhance employment potential within the tourism sector as well

as to foster economic integration through developing linkages with other sectors. Broadly the

policy paper attempts to:

Position tourism as a major engine of economic growth

Harness the direct and multiplier effect of tourism for employment generation,

economics development and providing impetus to rural tourism

Focus on domestic tourism as a major driver of tourism growth

Acknowledge the critical role of private sector with government working as a pro-active

facilitator and catalyst

Ensure that the tourist to India gets physically invigorated, mentally rejuvenated,

culturally enriched, spiritually elevated and “feel India from within”

Tourisms a most desirable human activity; which is capable of changing the socio-

cultural, economic and environmental face of the World. Tourism is one of the largest and

fastest growing industries in the world; it has the potential to influence the living pattern

of communities. It is one of the most important channels of cultural exchange which breaks

down the barriers between people of different parts of the world. It is the collection of

activities, services and industries that deliver a travel experience including transportation,

accommodation, eating and drinking, establishments of retail shops, entertainment,

business and other hospitality services provided for individuals or a group travelling

away from home. India is a diverse Country, with over1.3billion people following various

culture, tradition, languages, festivals, religion etc. Equally diverse are the category of tourism

activity that India offers to her people as well as to the people across the world. Such diverse

owe largely to the geographic, climatic and traditional multiplicity seen in India’s twenty-nine

states and seven union territories. In India tourism sector was considered as an

important sector only after the independence and government introduced various schemes

and plans for its development.

Development of tourism industry requires tourism planning. Tourism Planning leads to

tourism development. Tourism Planning is the process for tourism development. Planning

refers to methods and means used in making decisions about the future. Tourism Planning helps

in problem solving and arriving at decisions which help planner in achieving desired objectives.

Planning for tourism is very crucial. Several Countries of the world, especially the developing

countries have lately realized the importance of tourism and benefits which it brings out. The

use of macroeconomic planning techniques for tourism sector are relatively new .The

use of macroeconomic planning methods for national economic development which

have been largely utilized since the end of world war second, did not always cover

tourism development as a particular field. The increasing significance of tourism as a

source of income, employment generation, regional development, foreign exchange and major

factor in balance of payment for many countries has been attracting the attention of many

government as well as others with an interest in economic development .

TOUSIM AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA- CURRENT

SITUATION AND PROSPECTS

In its modern form since the end of the Second World War, tourism has grown inti one of the

world’s largest industries with a growth rate in excess of 5per cent per annum over the past

twenty years. International tourism flows across frontiers in the year 2000 reached 698 million

while receipts from prepared by the World Tourism Organization indicate that global domestic

tourism flows are at least domestic arrivals in 2000. Globally, tourism accounts for 11% of the

global GDP and 8% of the world trade employment. In most countries with a large population,

domestic tourism is the foundation of a viable and sustainable tourism industry. Much of the

growth of global tourism has been generated by domestic tourism, which tends to be more

focused on rural destinations.

TOURISM DEVELOPMENT GOALS, OBJECTICES AND STRATEGIES

TOURISM POLICY IN INDIA

Tourism emerged as the largest global industry of the 20thcentury and is projected to grow

even faster in the 21th century. India has immense possibilities of growth in the tourism

sector with vast culture and religious heritage, varied natural attractions, but a comparatively

small role in the world tourism scene. Tourism policy strengthens the tourism sector and

envisages new initiatives towards making tourism the catalyst in employment generation,

environmental regeneration, development of remote areas and development of women and

other disadvantaged groups in the country. It would lead to larger foreign exchange earnings

and create conditions for more foreign direct investment.

ORIGIN OF TOURISM POLICY IN INDIA

Tourism planning in India was started after independence. The conscious and organized

efforts to promote tourism in India were made in 1945, when a committee was set up

by the Government under the leadership of Sir John Sargent, then Educational Adviser

to the Government of India (Krishna.A.G. 1993). Thereafter systematic tourism

development took place in India. The tourism planning approach has been evolved in Second

and Third five year plans. The sixth five year plan emphasizes tourism as an instrument for

economic development, integration and maintains social harmony. After 1980s tourism

activity gained momentum as employment generator, source income, foreign exchange

earnings and as a leisure industry. The government has taken several significant measures to

promote tourism industry.

INCLUSION OF TOURISM SECTOR IN THE CONCURRENT LIST OF THE

CONSTITUTION OF INDIA:

Tourism was recognized as an industry by the Planning commission of India in June,

1982.Tourism as a separate subject does not find a place in the Seventh Schedule of the

Constitution of India even though a number of its components are either in the Union List,

State List or in the Concurrent List. Under the new Policy, Tourism will be placed in

the Concurrent List as such a step will provide a Constitutional recognition to the

tourism sector and help in channelizing development of tourism in a systematic manner by

enabling the Central Government to bring in legislation governing the activities of various

service providers in the tourism sector. Inclusion of Tourism sector in the Concurrent List

of the Constitution of India is very important mile stone of the first tourism policy.

Tourism policy Under Eight five year plan

To encourage tourism planning in India, Eighth Five year plan (1992-1997) emphasized that

the private sector should increase its participation in the tourism sector. Union government had

provided various facilities for the development of tourism sector, which included the

announcement of the National action plan for the tourism in 1992.National Action plan for

Tourism was announced in May, 1992.The objectives of this action plan for planning in

Indian tourism were:

1. To develop the tourist areas socially and economically.

2. To increase employment opportunities in tourism sector.

3. To develop domestic tourism for the budget or economy category.

4. To preserve the environment and national heritage.

5. To encourage international tourism.

6. To increase India’s share in world tourism.

7. To diversify tourism product.

The various policies advocated by the eighth five year plan for tourism planning in India, are:

1. To develop tourist places.

2. To develop winter sports, beach resorts and wildlife tourism.

3. To restore the project of national heritage.

4. To provide economy class accommodation in tourist centres.

The eighth five year plan emphasis that the expansion of tourism sector is only through

private sector participation. The thrust areas as enumerated in the plan includes

development of selected tourist places, diversification from cultural related tourism to

holiday and leisure tourism, development of trekking, winter sports, wildlife and beach

resort tourism, exploring new source markets, restoration of national heritage projects,

launching of national image building, providing inexpensive accommodation in different

tourist centres, improving service efficiency in public sector etc. In April 1993, the

Government announced further measures aimed at export promotion. The existing Export

Promotion of Capital Goods Scheme (EPCG) was extended to tourism and related

services. The first ever Indian Tourism Day was celebrated on January 25, 1998.IX.National

Tourism policy 2002: Announcement of National tourism policy 2002 by the Government of

India is a mile stone in tourism planning in India. This tourism policy 2002 is based on a multi

faced approach, which includes faster or speedy implementation of tourism project

development of integrated tourism circuits, capacity building in the hospitality sector and

new marketing strategies. Main aim of National tourism policy 2002 is to position tourism as

a major driver of economic growth. Government tries to achieve this aim by promoting

domestic and international inbound tourism, developing tourist infrastructure, developing new

destinations, promoting of agro

The recommendations of various committees, plans and policies on Tourism of the Union and

State Government. Mr. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of Independent India,

was the first person to notice the importance of tourism in the country. According to him, it

was not only an instrument of earning foreign exchange but also a means of seeking

international cooperation, understanding and peace between the nations. Tourism as an

economic term in India was emerged only after Second Five year Plan (1956). Initially

going on a pilgrimage or visiting your friends and relatives is what was meant to be Tourism

in India. It was only after October 1966 when INDIA TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

CORPORATION (ITDC) was setup and India was promoted as a tourist destination not

only for pilgrimage or visiting friends and relatives but as a holiday destination. The

main important objective of ITDC was rendering proper consultancy services and promotes

Tourism in India for developmental purpose. In 1982, the Indian Government approved the

National Tourism Policy which gave a six point plan for Tourism development of Swagat,

Suchana, Suvidha, Suraksha, Sahyog and Samrachana, meaning Welcome, Information,

Facilitation, Safety, Cooperation and Infrastructure Development respectively. The main

aim of this policy was to promote balanced socio-economic development, promote and

preserve the rich heritage and culture of India and also create employment

opportunities. Later on, Government of India initiated took several measures like the National

Committee on Tourism was set up in 1988, setting up of the Tourism

Finance Corporation in 1989 to finance tourism projects, the National Action Plan in 1992, the

1996 National Strategy for Promotion of Tourism and a new Tourism Policy in 1997 have all

aimed to promote the fast growth of Indian Tourism sector.3.2. Recommendations of the

National Level Tourism Policies and Programs review of policies and programs of tourism in

the state level is discussed. Various Committees on Tourism Sir John Sergeant Committee

(1945)The first straight forward effort to promote tourism in India was made in 1945, when a

committee was set up by the Government of India under the chairmanship of Sir John Sergeant.

The main recommendations of the committee were the following:-

1. Setting up a separate representative organization of tourism with regional offices in

metropolitan cities.

2.The promotion of tourist traffic was a matter of great national importance and therefore,

deserves the whole-time attention of separate organizations which should take initiative

in such matters as:-

(a) Publicity both in India and abroad;

(b) Preparation and Production of suitable literature such as guide books, folders, posters,

etc;

(c) Provision for training of tourist guides;

(d) Liaison with other government departments responsible for providing facilities required

by tourists;

(e) Liaison with the travel agencies, who provide travel services to tourists;

117(f) Liaison with the hotels and catering institutions;

(g) Collection of tourist statistics;

(h) Co-ordination with air and train services to make it comfortable in India;

(i) Provision of a chain of first class hotels of international standard; and(j) Starting publicity

bureau in London and New York; and in the capitals of other countries, from where

large number of tourists might be coming. K. Jha Committee Recommendations

(1963)Government of India appointed and-hoc committee on tourism in March 1963, to

investigate the reasons for decline in tourist arrivals in 1962. The committee came out with the

following suggestions:

1. Grant of landing permits on arrival to tourists coming without visa for more than

seventy two hours;

2. Opening of additional tourist offices abroad;

3. Provision of shopping and entertainment facilities;

4. Setting up three government corporations to develop hotel, Transport and

entertainment facilities;

5. Need to build 5500 additional hotel rooms within the next five years;

6. Official approval of restaurants, shops and guides;

7. Improvement of facilities at airports;

8. Provision of adequate facilities by the Indian Airlines;

9. Introduction of permit room system in Delhi

10. Import of cars;

11. Training of immigration and customs staff;

12. Increase tourist publicity;

13. Integrated development of selected tourist centres;

Establishment of a standing committee of main departments dealing with tourism for

reviewing inadequacies. Report on Cultural Tourism (1968)In order to investigate the

potentialities of cultural and monumental heritage of India for tourism development, the

DOT obtained the service of a tourism expert named Dr. F. R. Allchin, through UNESCO

in 1968. The recommendations made by his committee were the following:-

1. Provide standardized facilities at all significant monumental sites.

2. All the monuments other than those controlled by tile Archaeological Survey of India

(ASI) should be scheduled and preserved.

3. Areas surrounding the monuments should be protected by creating 'National Parks' around

them.

4. The Tourism department should publish popular folders, tourist post cards, popular city

guide books and regional hand books; while the AS1 may bring out more scholarly

guide books on monuments.

5. There should be close co-ordination between the DOT and ASI.

6.Tours should be built around specific themes or aspects of India's culture based either

upon a selection of monuments or upon some aspect of art or craft or upon some aspect

of natural history.

7. Provide improved facilities at selected wildlife sanctuaries and 'photo-safari' should be

encouraged.

8. A number of projects for protection, preservation and conservation of monuments were

suggested.

131 development of tourism was taken up in a planned manner in 1956 coinciding with

the second five year plan. The approach has evolved from isolated planning of single unit

facilities in the second and third five year plan. The sixth plan marked the beginning

of a new era when tourism began to be considered as a major instrument for social

integration and economic development. But it was only after the 80s that tourism activity

gained momentum. The government took several policy initiatives explained below:-

Tourism Policy of 1982 Tourism policy of the Ministry was presented for the first time in both

Houses of Parliament on November 3, 1982. The policy statement contained five main

objectives of the tourism policy of the Government of India. According to it, The

Government objectives are to develop tourism that:

(i) It becomes a unifying force nationally and internationally fostering better

understanding through travel.

(ii) It helps to preserve, retain and enrich the county's world view and lifestyle, its

cultural expression and heritage in all their manifestations. The prosperity that tourism brings

must cause accretion and strength rather than damage to the social and cultural values and

depletion of the county's natural resources. In Tourism India must present itself on its own

terms -not as an echo or imitation of other countries, other cultures and lifestyles.

(iii) It brings socio-economic benefits to the community and the State in terms of

employment opportunities, income generation, revenue generation for the States, foreign

exchange earnings and, in general causes human habitat improvement.

References

http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/60146/6/07%20chapter3.pdf

http://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jhss/papers/Vol.%2021%20Issue11/Version-

6/E2111062632.pdf

http://tourism.gov.in/tourism-policy