The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India is in the process of formulating a National Tourism Policy 2015 for development and promotion of tourism in the country. A draft Policy, based on inputs/suggestions received from stakeholders, eminent personalities and experts in the field of Tourism, State Governments and Union Territory Administrations has been uploaded on the official websites of the Ministry of Tourism for inviting comments and suggestions from the general public.
Some of the highlights of the Policy include re-visiting National Tourism Policy 2002; Rounds of consultations held to obtain inputs for the Policy; A concrete ‘Action Plan’ forms part of the Policy; Focus of the Policy on Employment generation and community participation in tourism development; Stress on the development of tourism in a sustainable and responsible manner; An all-encompassing policy involving linkages with various Ministries, Departments, States / Union Territories and Stakeholders and setting up of “National Tourism Advisory Board” under the chairmanship of Union Tourism Minister with Tourism Ministers of States / UTs and domain experts as members as well as a “National Tourism Authority” with representation from the trade and industry and interconnected departments/ agencies to execute the policy laid out by the Ministry.
The Policy will also include aspects of Swachhta (cleanliness), Suraksha (safety) and Swagat (welcome); Development of core infrastructure as well as tourism infrastructure; Emphasis on skill development across all segments, including the setting up of a dedicated university for tourism and hospitality education; Emphasis on technology enabled development in tourism; Online training programmes for international tour operators to create “India Specialists”; and play a more pro-active and decisive role at multilateral tourism forums, among others.
