Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH), a policy federation of all the national associations representing the India tourism, travel and hospitality industries, has published a vision document called India Tourism Vision 2035. It aims to position tourism as a ‘Social Economic Job and Infrastructure creator for India’ as well as ‘to be a role model for creating Sustainable and Inclusive Ecosystem’.
The India Tourism Vision 2035 was released on February 16, 2022, by Nakul Anand, Chairman, FAITH and Executive Director, ITC.
According to the document, the global tourism industry has posted a CAGR of over 6 per cent in the last 50 years. Besides, it has been the main source of foreign exchange earnings for one-third of developing countries and accounts for upto 40% of GDP in nearly 50% of the least developed countries.
Tourism is the single largest employer in the world with 334 million direct and indirect employment unique potential to fuel employment (both skilled and unskilled workforce) due to low barriers to entry contributing to all strata of society.
Women account for 54% of employment in the sector, compared to 39% for the global economy.
This vision lays down these key headline action goals in multiples of 75 referencing all indicators to the 75th golden year of independence.
• Target 75 million inbound tourists • Aim for USD 75 bn *2 (i.e. USD 150 bn of foreign exchange earnings from inbound tourism • Aim for 7.5 billion domestic tourism visits • Target 75 mn * 2 ( i.e. 150 mn or 15 crores) direct and indirect employment from tourism in public and private sector in hotels, travels agencies & tour operations, tourism transportation , food services, destination management & services which are looking after tourists. • Target USD 75 bn *3 ( USD 225 bn ) economic revenue from domestic tourism • Target USD 75 bn capex direct and indirect annually • Target USD 75 bn * 15 ( USD 1.1 tn + + economic impact direct and indirect ) • Enable 75 mn outbound travellers from India.
This vision proposes 4 strategic pillars namely shared national tourism approach, value accretive regulations, investment drivers and market excellence to achieve the goals. Under each of these pillars, FAITH has proposed Tourism to be a concurrent subject as a shared execution between Centre & states. It states that tourism exports be treated at par with other exports & services and such transactions may be zero rated for GST without stopping the flow of input credits. There should be National Tourism Council of PM & CMs, and registered tourism service provides with single Centre-State unique id for quality assurance. Moreover, the vision enlists that all tourism projects and plans be based around Sustainable Design Principles. |