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Dharamshala Declaration: Boosting Indian Tourism - UPSC Current Affairs - Testbook

The government has recently announced the Dharmashala Declaration, a forward-looking plan to position India as a global leader in tourism by 2047.

This topic holds significant importance, particularly for those preparing for the Indian economy and current affairs sections of the UPSC Syllabus . In this article, we will delve deep into the Dharmashala Declaration, its objectives, and its potential impacts on the tourism sector of India.

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Understanding the Dharmashala Declaration

Tourism is a crucial sector of the Indian economy, providing employment to a substantial portion of the population and contributing significantly to the country's foreign exchange earnings. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted this sector. In 2018, the tourism sector generated INR 16.91 lakh crore (USD 240 billion), accounting for 9.2% of India’s GDP , and supported approximately 42.67 million jobs, which is 8.1% of total employment .

On the occasion of World Tourism Day (September 27) 2022, the government unveiled the Dharmashala Declaration, aiming to enhance India’s role in global tourism and uplift the domestic tourism sector.

Objectives of the Dharamshala Declaration

  • The declaration seeks to restore India's tourism sector to its pre-pandemic level by 2024, mitigating the adverse impacts of the pandemic. It envisions achieving a USD 150 billion GDP contribution, USD 30 billion foreign exchange earnings, and 15 million foreign tourist arrivals by 2024.
  • By 2030, with the Indian economy projected to grow at 7-9%, the tourism sector aims to contribute USD 250 billion to the GDP, create 137 million jobs, attract 56 million foreign tourists, and earn USD 56 billion in foreign exchange .
  • The declaration also aims to showcase India as a prominent tourist destination at the upcoming G-20 summit, highlighting the country's rich cultural heritage and picturesque landscapes.
  • It also commits to implementing necessary interventions such as visa reforms, ease of travel, traveller-friendly immigration facilities, and openness to international travel.
  • The declaration also outlines the National Tourism Policy which is drafted with an aim to achieve a target of USD 1 trillion by 2047 .
  • The Ministry has recently launched the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 with an objective to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations with a tourist-centric approach.
    • The declaration also indicates the promotion of various tourist circuits and the imminent launch of a new ‘Ambedkar Circuit’ . The Himalayan Circuit will also be promoted under the action plan for the development of tourist circuits.
  • It emphasizes showcasing India’s cultural, architectural, and scenic beauty to attract tourists.
  • The declaration targets to highlight various aspects of tourism like Cultural, Spiritual and Heritage tourism, tourism in Himalayan states, Medical tourism , etc.
  • The Ministry has also sanctioned INR 7500 crores for the development of tourism infrastructure across the country, with 76 projects sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme in 30 States and UTs.

Dharamshala Declaration – Key Focus Areas

The declaration identifies five major focus areas for the tourism industry for the coming decade. These include:

  1. Green tourism
  2. Digital tourism
  3. Destination management
  4. Skilling in the hospitality sector
  5. Supporting tourism-related MSMEs

Conclusion: India has immense potential to achieve substantial economic growth through tourism and provide meaningful employment opportunities to a large section of the population. However, it is crucial to ensure that the growth in tourism does not compromise the environment. Hence, the need for sustainable tourism is paramount.

Related Links
United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) UPSC Calendar 2023
Draft Report on the National Digital Tourism Mission National Tourism Day
Security Forces and Agencies in India Malabar Naval Exercise
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