Tourism Policy in India€¦ · Tourism planning in India was started after independence. The...
Transcript of Tourism Policy in India€¦ · Tourism planning in India was started after independence. The...
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