Prospects of Tourism in India: Hunar se Rozgar” scheme
Kartavya Desk Staff
GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Economy/ Government Policies and Interventions (Hunar se Rozgar)
#### Context:
The “Hunar se Rozgar” scheme, initiated by the Ministry of Tourism in 2006, aims to provide skill training for employment esp in the Tourism sector. Despite its potential, the Hunar se Rozgar scheme faces bureaucratic hurdles and lacks widespread awareness.
#### More about the scheme:
The Ministry of Tourism launched the ‘Hunar se Rozgar Tak’ (HSRT), targeting school dropouts for employment or self-employment training. With an annual budget of around ₹30 crore, HSRT aims to address skill gaps by offering market-relevant training and fostering entrepreneurship among urban youth.
The Hunar se Rozgar scheme was designed as a six to eight-week free training program for individuals aged 18-28, with selected expert institutes. Star hotels are mandated to train a minimum number of participants. Despite efforts to integrate the unorganized sector into mainstream employment through skill development, a significant employment gap persists, especially among youth in northern states, where the scheme primarily attracts participants.
#### Status of Tourism Sector in India:
• India ranks 39th on the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024, contributing 7% to GD
• Cumulative FDI: Hotel and Tourism industry received over USD 17 billion FDI (April 2000-December 2023), 2.57% of total FDI.
• Employment: Over 32 million jobs generated, about 7% of total employment in 2021. Expected 53 million jobs by 2029.
• Tourist Arrivals: about 10 lakh foreign tourist arrivals (Jan-Dec 2023) compared to 6 lakhs in the previous years.
• Business Growth: Projected USD 125 billion travel market by FY27; Indian airline market to double by FY27; Indian hotel market to reach USD 52 billion by FY27.
#### Significance of Tourism Industry in India:
The tourism sector in India is vital for several reasons.
• Firstly, it’s a significant contributor to foreign exchange earnings, with landmarks like the Taj Mahal attracting international visitors.
• Secondly, tourism generates positive spillover effects, stimulating growth in sectors like hospitality and transportation.
• Thirdly, it promotes inclusive growth by creating economic opportunities in remote areas.
• Additionally, tourism fosters intercultural exchanges and serves as a strategic diplomacy tool, enhancing bilateral relations and fostering peace.
#### India’s Potential in Tourism:
Opportunity | Description
Medical and Wellness Tourism | India’s well-established healthcare system and traditional wellness practices, such as Ayurveda, Yoga, and meditation, present opportunities for medical and wellness tourism. Offering quality healthcare services, rejuvenation retreats, and specialized treatments can attract international tourists seeking affordable healthcare and holistic wellness experiences.
Rural and Tribal Tourism | Rural areas in India possess unique cultural and natural assets that can be showcased through rural tourism initiatives. This may include agri-tourism, handicraft demonstrations, and community-based tourism projects, providing visitors with authentic experiences while boosting local economies.
Adventure Tourism | India’s diverse landscapes offer ample opportunities for adventure tourism, including trekking, mountaineering, wildlife safaris, river rafting, and more. Developing and promoting adventure tourism infrastructure and activities can attract adventure enthusiasts from around the world and contribute to local economic growth.
Eco-Tourism | India’s biodiversity hotspots, national parks, and protected areas offer great potential for eco-tourism.
Film Tourism | India’s vibrant film industry has a significant fan following worldwide. Capitalizing on film tourism by promoting shooting locations, film-related tours, and experiences can attract film enthusiasts and create economic opportunities by showcasing the glamour of Bollywood and regional cinema.
Culinary Tourism | Promoting culinary tourism through food festivals, culinary tours, and cooking classes can showcase the richness of Indian cuisine and provide visitors with immersive culinary experiences, attracting food enthusiasts and promoting cultural exchange.
#### Challenges in harnessing its full potential
• Inadequate Infrastructure: Many tourist destinations lack essential infrastructure, such as connectivity and basic amenities, hindering accessibility and visitor experience.
• Governance Challenges: Governance issues, including unclear guidelines for tourists and inefficiently managed facilities, deter potential visitors.
• Multiplicity of Taxes: The complex tax structure increases the cost of tourism, making it expensive for tourists.
• Unskilled Human Resources: A shortage of skilled manpower, including multilingual guides, affects the quality of tourist services.
• Quality of Services: Inconsistent quality standards, lack of cleanliness, and inadequate facilities impact the tourist experience negatively.
• Safety and Security: Incidents of harassment and crimes against tourists undermine safety and security, affecting tourism.
• Environmental Sustainability: Waste management challenges in popular tourist destinations threaten ecosystems and infrastructure.
• Regulatory Framework: Complex regulations and bureaucratic hurdles discourage tourism-related investments and growth.
• Marketing and Promotion: Limited exposure and marketing efforts for lesser-known destinations hinder tourism development.
• Seasonal Imbalances: Seasonal variations in tourist arrivals lead to overcrowding in popular areas and underutilization in off-peak periods.
#### Initiatives Related to Tourism in India:
• Swadesh Darshan Scheme: Develops theme-based tourist circuits across India to enhance cultural, historical, and natural heritage experiences.
• PRASAD Scheme: Focuses on the development and beautification of pilgrimage sites.
• HRIDAY: Aims to preserve and revitalize heritage cities.
• Paryatan Parv: Encourages domestic tourism through nationwide cultural events and activities.
• Dekho Apna Desh Initiative: Promotes domestic tourism by exploring India’s diverse landscapes and cultural heritage.
• Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat: Promotes cultural integration through state pairings, fostering unity and diversity.
• National Tourism Policy, 2022: Focuses on green tourism, digital tourism, destination management, skilling, and supporting tourism-related MSMEs.
• Digital Initiatives: e-Visa Facility: Simplifies visa application process. Web-based E-Ticketing: Reduces wait times at tourist attractions. National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry (NIDHI): Provides updated information about accommodation units. Swachh Paryatan Mobile App: Addresses cleanliness issues at tourist spots.
• e-Visa Facility: Simplifies visa application process.
• Web-based E-Ticketing: Reduces wait times at tourist attractions.
• National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry (NIDHI): Provides updated information about accommodation units.
• Swachh Paryatan Mobile App: Addresses cleanliness issues at tourist spots.
#### Way forward:
• Focusing on Safety and Security: Deploy tourism police and implement strict security protocols. Promote safe travel practices to enhance tourist confidence.
• Improving Connectivity and Infrastructure: Enhance transportation links to remote tourist destinations. Drive improvements through public-private partnerships or government investments.
• Tax Reform:: Advocate for tax reform to simplify the tax structure. Harmonize various taxes to create a uniform taxation system.
• Training Programs: Provide comprehensive training to the unskilled workforce. Focus on customer service, cultural sensitivity, and language skills.
• Enhancing Online Presence: Utilize social media and travel websites to boost visibility. Promote tourist destinations through digital platforms like “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.”
#### Conclusion:
Collaborative efforts from the government, local communities, and industry players, investments in infrastructure development, training programs to enhance service quality, implementation of sustainable tourism practices and targeted marketing campaigns can help overcome these challenges and harness the full potential of the tourism industry in India.
Insta Links:
• Schemes under the Ministry of Tourism
Mains Links:
Q.1 How can the mountain ecosystem be restored from the negative impact of development initiatives and tourism? (UPSC 2019)
Q.2 The states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are reaching the limits of their ecological carrying capacity due to tourism. Critically evaluate. (UPSC 2015)
Source: The Hindu BL