Tourism has remained an area of focus for the government. Record number of tourists visited the Kashmir valley in the past two years. Efforts are ongoing to sustain the flow. Also efforts are afoot to increase the influx of foreign sightseers. Overall, the centre has made a lot of efforts to increase the flow of tourists in the country.
As per details in the just concluded winter session of the parliament, the government informed that the Ministry of Tourism promotes India as a holistic destination in the tourism generating markets to promote various Indian tourism products and tourism destinations of the country to increase India’s share of the global tourism market. The objectives are met through an integrated marketing and promotional strategy, and a synergized campaign in association with the Travel Trade, State Governments and Indian Missions. The Government continuously engages with industry experts and other relevant stakeholders and take their suggestions and feedback for promotion of varied tourism products of India. In order to boost visitor arrival, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has declared “Incredible India! Visit India Year 2023”. In order to increase the footfall of international tourists in India, Ministry of Tourism, participated in various International travel fairs during the Year 2023 such as FITUR 2023, Madrid, Spain (18-22 January 2023); ITB Berlin (7-9 March 2023); Arabian Travel Market 2023, Dubai (1-4 May 2023); IMEX Frankfurt (17-19 October 2023); OTDYKH Leisure, Moscow, Russia (12-14, September 2023); TOP Resa, Paris, France (3 – 5 October 2023); PATA Travel Mart 2023 (4-6 October 2023) in New Delhi; ITB, Asia, Singapore (25 – 27 October 2023); JATA, Osaka, Japan (26-29 October 2023); WTM London (6-8 November 2023).
The government said that in case of tours conducted for foreign tourists partially in India and partially outside India, proportionate value of the foreign component of the tour may be excluded from the value for the purposes of payment of GST. To ensure that balance remains in favour of domestic tourism in such composite tours, this concession is provided for maximum of half of the duration of the tour or actual whichever is less.
While these steps are surely in right direction, the government must continue focus on ensuring more foreign tourists to Valley. Efforts should be made to ensure winter tourism along with other new areas on the tourism map is explored to considerable levels.
