National Tourism Day is annually celebrated across India on 25 January to raise awareness about the importance and value of tourism to the economy of India. It also aims to promote and create awareness about many tourist spots in India.
- The Day aims to preserve the nation’s cultural heritage and create popular tourism spots nationwide.
- The 2024 theme of National Tourism Day observed on 25th January 2024 is “Sustainable Journeys, Timeless Memories.”
Significance:
The day offers a opportunity to honour the contributions made by the people, who work hard in the travel and tourism industry, helping India to promote tourism and supporting the local economy.
Background:
i.In 1948, the Government of India established a tourist traffic committee, to encourage tourism in India. It is noted that the committee started the celebration of “National Tourism Day”.
ii.The Ministry of Tourism is responsible for formulating India’s national policies for developing and promoting tourism.
Key Facts:
i.As per the India Brand Equity Foundation’s (IBEF) 2023 report, the tourism sector is projected to contribute USD 250 billion to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030, generating employment for 137 million individuals.
ii.By 2028, India’s tourism and hospitality industry is projected to generate revenue of over USD 59 billion.
- Additionally, Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) are expected to reach 30.5 million by 2028.
World Tourism Day:
The United Nations (UN) World Tourism Day (WTD) has been annually observed across the globe on 27 September since 1980 to raise awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political, and economic value.
- The date 27 September marks the anniversary of the adoption of the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Statutes in 1970.
About Ministry of Tourism:
Union Minister– G. Kishan Reddy (Constituency: Secunderabad, Telangana)
Ministers of State– Ajay Bhatt (Constituency: Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar, Uttarakhand); Shripad Yesso Naik (Constituency: North Goa, Goa)
