New Delhi: Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Monday emphasised the role of domestic tourism as India’s biggest strength, saying it gives the country a unique edge over its global peers.
Speaking at the TV9 Network Travel and Tourism Summit, Shekhawat said that while destinations such as Dubai, Singapore and Thailand attract higher numbers of international visitors, their domestic base is negligible compared to India.
‘Indian travellers driving growth’
“Inbound tourism in India has already crossed the 20 million mark this year, but what truly sets us apart is our vast domestic tourism market. With rising disposable incomes and a growing economy, Indian travellers themselves are driving growth in our sector. This is an opportunity that the world lacks,” the minister said.
He added that India’s resilience in reviving the tourism sector after the pandemic was made possible not just by government initiatives but also through the collective effort of industry stakeholders. “This success could never have been achieved by the government alone. It was your hard work that helped revive tourism and bring the sector back on track,” he said.
Highlighting the government’s vision, Shekhawat pointed out that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Centre has announced the development of 50 new iconic destinations across the country. The move, he said, will both ease the pressure of over-tourism at existing sites and create alternative destinations to enhance the overall experience for travellers.
‘Tourism has potential to become a transformative force’
Citing the scale of domestic travel, Shekhawat mentioned that had the full figures from the recent Kumbh been accounted for, the numbers would have crossed 300 crore visits. “The Kumbh is not just an event, it is a living example of our cultural and spiritual strength,” he said.
The minister further asserted that tourism has the potential to become a transformative force in India’s growth story. “It is not only an engine for economic progress but also a vehicle to showcase our rich cultural heritage and civilisational values to the world. Through tourism, India will emerge not just as an economic power but also as a cultural and spiritual leader on the global stage,” Shekhawat said.