Budget 2024: Tourism Ministry allocates ₹3 crore for overseas campaigns

Now, the bad news. The Tourism Ministry has set aside only an amount Rs 3 crore to promote India’s ‘Incredible India’ campaign abroad. The long-running, award-winning campaign – under the sub-head of Overseas Publicity and Promotion and Market Development Assistance – was sidelined this year, as the ministry slashed its allocation by 97% over last year. 100 crores.

The trend of promoting tourism is declining. There was a huge cut in foreign tourism promotion in last year’s budget. Ministry just spent Rs 89 crore from its allocation in 2021-22 524 crores. Amount spent further reduced in FY23 15.89 crore, only to increase marginally in FY2014. 100 crores.

On the other hand, the ministry headed by Gangapuram Kishan Reddy has reduced its budget estimates from last year Rs 2,400 crore 2,080.03 crore for FY25, although this is still an increase of 22% It actually spent Rs 1,692 crore. More than two-thirds of the FY25 allocation, or Rs 1,750 crore has been set aside for the Swadesh Darshan scheme. The scheme, instituted in 2014-15, provides financial assistance to state governments to develop tourism infrastructure.

It has also completely removed the subtitle of ‘Champion Services Sector Scheme’, which was set up in 2023, for Last year Rs 196 crore were set aside. This year, the same amount has been allocated to the Prasad Darshan Scheme of the Tourism Ministry as last year. 240 crores.

are making an agreement While it is difficult to believe an outlay of Rs 3 crore, Deepak Dev, managing director of Travel Corporation India Ltd, said it is clear that the government will not promote India abroad. It is equal to zero. This figure has never been this low. In the next Budget I am keen to understand how India will be promoted abroad and how we will take advantage of international travelers wanting to visit the region.”

“For people to come to our country, we have to promote ourselves as an interesting tourist destination. If we don’t do this, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and other countries will continue to benefit from people coming from China. There has been a huge decline in tourism, and this is an excellent opportunity for us. 10 million tourists came and earned 30 billion dollars, this number has not been crossed yet,” Deva said. Said.

Similarly, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) president Rajeev Mehra told Mint that due to the closure of India’s foreign promotion offices abroad, many tour operators have completely removed India from their travel brochures.

“With mere With Rs 3 crore allocated for overseas promotion, the tourism industry should now forget that the government will spend any money abroad or conduct any FAM (introduction) tours to bring in international travel agents. The only commendable thing this year is that the government has allocated some money to give loans to states to improve the areas inside and around the monuments, thereby giving some tourism boost,” he said.

The Finance Minister said that the success of organizing the G20 meetings across 60 locations showcased India’s diversity to the global audience. This economic strength has made the country an attractive destination for business and conference tourism. “Our middle class also now desires to travel and explore. There are tremendous opportunities for local entrepreneurship in tourism, including spiritual tourism. To address the emerging enthusiasm for domestic tourism, there is need for port connectivity, tourism infrastructure and facilities. Projects will also be started in the islands including Lakshadweep,” she said.

A travel expert said it is good that the country is focusing on domestic tourism and may consider the Gati Shakti and Swadesh Darshan schemes to help boost development of new destinations. “The thrust on domestic tourism, including Lakshadweep, is good. However, its sheer beauty and strength is very fragile, and development should not compromise the ecology. On the international front, I still feel we need a lot more promotion and marketing , and ignoring it completely won’t do any good in the long run [interest]” said MP Bezbarua, general secretary of Hotel Association of India and former tourism secretary in the government.

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Published: 01 February 2024, 04:19 PM IST