India Leads Asia-Pacific in Sustainable Tourism Recovery with 89% Tourist Arrivals

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

India is emerging as a leader in the rapid recovery of international tourism within the Asia-Pacific region. According to the May 2024 UNWTO barometer, tourist arrivals in India have reached 89% of pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of 2024, highlighting one of the region’s most robust recoveries. This significant rebound underscores India’s growing attractiveness as a global travel destination.

To enhance its status as a top choice for sustainable and responsible tourism, the Ministry of Tourism has developed a National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism. This comprehensive strategy is founded on several key pillars:

1. Promoting Environmental Sustainability
2. Protecting Biodiversity
3. Promoting Economic Sustainability
4. Promoting Socio-Cultural Sustainability
5. Certification Scheme for Sustainable Tourism
6. Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) and Capacity Building
7. Governance

In support of this strategy, the Ministry has revitalized the Swadesh Darshan scheme with the introduction of Swadesh Darshan 2.0. This initiative aims to establish a thorough framework for the integrated development of tourism destinations, in collaboration with State and UT governments, as well as local authorities, to promote sustainable and responsible tourism nationwide.

Swadesh Darshan 2.0 has identified 57 destinations across 32 States and UTs for development, as detailed in Annexure-I.

A crucial element of this initiative is the “Challenge Based Destination Development” sub-scheme, which focuses on the comprehensive development of tourist destinations to enhance the overall visitor experience. This sub-scheme aims to transform these destinations into hubs of sustainable and responsible tourism.

Under this sub-scheme, 42 destinations have been selected across four categories:

1. Culture & Heritage Destinations
2. Spiritual Tourism
3. Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Destinations
4. Vibrant Villages Program Destinations

Detailed information about the destinations under the Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar categories is available in Annexure-II.

ANNEXURE-I

List of Destinations Identified Under Swadesh Darshan 2.0:

ANNEXURE-II

List of Destinations Identified Under Challenge Based Destination Development in the Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Category: