India is emerging as a global tourism hub – Statetimes

Ramesh Sarraf Dhamora
The purpose of celebrating World Tourism Day is to promote awareness about the importance of tourism as a global industry and its social, cultural, political, and economic impact. Celebrating World Tourism Day helps us raise awareness about the impact of tourism on us and the world around us. This includes its economic impact worldwide, as well as ethical, moral, and animal welfare considerations.
World Tourism Day was established by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). World Tourism Day has been celebrated every year on September 27 since 1980. The statutes of the United Nations World Tourism Organization were adopted on this day. Every year, World Tourism Day is celebrated with a specific theme. The theme for 2025 is “Tourism and Green Investment.” This theme emphasizes the urgent need to invest in sustainable tourism infrastructure and projects that help communities and economies prosper while also protecting our planet. Green investment encourages both tourism businesses and travelers to make choices that reduce their environmental impact, promote renewable energy, and build a better future for all.
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) latest Economic Impact Trends Report, India has made a significant leap from its previous tenth position to eighth among the world’s largest tourism economies in 2025. The report highlights India’s growing stature in the global travel sector and projects it to reach fourth place within the next decade. India’s tourism sector will contribute $231.6 billion in 2025, reflecting strong growth and strategic developments in infrastructure, marketing, and service delivery. This growing trend underscores India’s potential as a global tourism hub and highlights the sector’s crucial role in driving economic expansion and employment.
The tourism industry plays a significant role in generating valuable foreign exchange for the country. Tourism, also known as the “chimney industry,” continues to provide direct and indirect employment to millions of people. India is one of the few countries in the world that boasts a wealth of artistic, religious, and natural beauty. This is why even foreigners living thousands of miles away cannot resist the temptation to visit India. Furthermore, domestic tourists can also be seen in large numbers at various tourist destinations across the country, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
European countries like Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Spain remain major players. Meanwhile, Asian destinations like Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, and the Philippines are rapidly establishing themselves as major tourism hubs. Countries experiencing rapid growth in international tourism expenditure include Saudi Arabia (+91.3%), Turkey (+38.2%), Kenya (+33.3%), Colombia (+29.1%), and Egypt (+22.9%).
Economists and policymakers monitoring various aspects of the country’s economy have almost unanimously acknowledged that the country’s tourism potential is not being adequately utilized. More effective and efficient measures are needed in this direction. Under this policy, significant investments are being made to provide enhanced telecommunications, road, and air transportation to connect various tourist centers with major cities, both large and small. Furthermore, emphasis is being placed on developing infrastructure and new tourist centers around traditional tourist centers. This entire scenario clearly indicates that there will be a significant demand for specialists in tourism management and other tourism-related fields in the coming years. These opportunities are expected to be more in the private sector than in the government.
Experts believe that India will become the third largest tourism-based economy in the world within the next ten years. Approximately 10 million new jobs are expected to be created in this sector during this period. A report released by the World Travel and Tourism Council points to this potential. Currently, approximately 40 million people in the country earn their livelihoods directly or indirectly through the travel and tourism industry.
Tourism is the largest service industry in India, contributing 6.23 percent to the national GDP and 8.78 percent to India’s total employment. India receives 5 million foreign tourist arrivals and 560 million domestic tourist visits annually. World Tourism Day is an annual event aimed at promoting awareness about the importance of tourism as a global industry and its social, cultural, political, and economic impact.
Almost all tourism-related training courses in the country are post-graduate level. Tourism education departments in universities are rapidly developing, anticipating the future expansion of the tourism sector. These offer postgraduate courses, such as the Master of Tourism Administration. In addition to these universities, private training institutes also offer part-time and full-time diploma training. Earning a tourism diploma opens up avenues for self-employment. Therefore, it’s not necessary to apply for a job and then sit idle for a long time. Businesses like tour operator and travel agent can be started with very little capital. These include local sightseeing, tourist programs, pilgrimage tours, and visits to remote tourist destinations.
Now, package tours are being offered to foreign destinations like Switzerland, Paris, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, London, the United States, Canada, the Maldives, and Nepal. These include all expenses, from local sightseeing to air travel and hotel accommodation. As authorized ticketing agents for various airlines, one can also earn a fixed percentage commission on tickets sold.
Tourism training courses are currently offered in most government and private universities. Additionally, numerous private institutions across the country offer training in various areas of tourism. Certificates are also awarded after the training. The Rajasthan Tourism Department periodically organizes training camps for guides in the state. Selected guides are awarded guide certificates by the department. Similar courses are also being conducted in other states, where individuals can pursue a career in tourism through study and training.
In today’s world, while strengthening the economy is a primary concern for every country, tourism has significantly impacted the economy of many countries. European countries, coastal African countries, East Asian countries, Canada, and Australia are among the countries where income from the tourism industry strengthens their economies. Tourism is the world’s largest sector, contributing 11 percent to the global gross domestic product (GDP).
(The author is a freelance journalist)

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