Dharamshala Declaration

Dharamshala Declaration

Subject :Government

Context: 

The ‘Dharamshala Declaration 2022’ was released at the end of the three-day national conference on tourism attended by ministers from 12 states, besides Governors, UT administrators and central government officials which affirms commitment towards developing sustainable and responsible tourism and positions India as a global leader in the tourism sector by 2047.

Prospects of tourism sector in India:

• The World Travel and Tourism Council calculated that tourism in India generated US$210 billion or 9.2% of India’s GDP in 2018 and supported 42.673 million jobs, 8.1% of its total employment.
• The World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index 2021, which replaced its previous Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, ranks India 54th out of 117 countries overall.
• According to the central government, the country’s tourism sector will strive to recover to the pre-pandemic level by mid-2024 and contribute USD 250 billion to the country’s GDP by 2030. India intends to achieve USD 1 trillion through the sector by 2047.

Dharamshala Declaration:

• Position India as a major tourism destination as it chairs the G20 in 2023.
• Ensure due rigour and dedication, and showcase our cultural richness while welcoming the world to India.
• Bring in necessary interventions, including visa reforms, ease of travel, traveller-friendly immigration facilities at airports and openness to international travel.
• National Tourism Policy drafted with a holistic vision and strategy to revive India’s tourism and targets to contribute USD 1 trillion to the GDP by 2047.
• By 2024, the tourism is estimated to contribute USD 150 billion to the GDP,  USD 30 billion in Foreign Exchange earnings and get 15 million foreign arrivals.

Major schemes for tourism promotion in India:

• Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)
• Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits around Specific Themes – (SWADESH DARSHAN)
• Adopt A Heritage Project
• Development of Iconic Tourist Site