Tourism Gains: BJP Manifesto Aims At US$ 10 Billion And One Crore More Jobs By 2009

Jyoti Koul - New Delhi

If political will means ‘action’ then tourism is on the highest ever growth plane. The NDA led current government has listed tourism in its manifesto as one of the most important service sectors in the country, pivotal for economic development. The NDA believes that GDP growth, at an annual rate of eight to 10 per cent on a sustainable basis, is achievable and it will realise its strategic vision of making India a developed nation.

Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) claims that it will ready an action plan within the first six months (when it comes to power again) for developing India as a major tourisms destination in the world. One of its important milestones would be to increase foreign tourist arrivals from 30 lakh now to one crore by 2009, and two crore tourists by 2015. The party is planning to carry on and fund the ministry of tourism’ current marketing campaign ‘Incredible India’ to strengthen tourism. “There is no doubt about it that tourism has the greatest multiplier effect. And if we invest one rupee in tourism it gets the best returns in terms of creating jobs and generates even more employment than the agricultural sector investment wise. It is the most upcoming service sector and one of the important sectors for over all economic development of the government. The government has realised this as it is evident from the fact that they have doubled the budget allocation for us this year,” said Rashmi Verma, additional director general, ministry of tourism, government of India.

“Since returns on investment are higher and foreign exchange earnings better, tourism needs political will and support from the private sector to zip zap and zoom. This bold and constructive statement from the ruling government indicates a bright future for the tourism sector and this itself means that tourism is becoming the priority area for economic development “ she added.

Having set the targets, BJP, by the year 2009, wishes to bring the earnings to US $ 10 billion from tourism from the present US $ three billion. They also hope to create one crore additional employment. The party will emphasise on human resources by setting up five world-class Indian Institutes of Travel and Tourism on the lines of IIMs.

Realising that connectivity has always been a bottleneck, the party has plans to introduce visa on arrival and a common tourist visa for SAARC countries. The connectivity ‘revolution’ will be further accelerated by simplifying the visa requirements like reducing fees and granting visas within 24 hours.

The proposed new “Open Skies” civil aviation policy will be adopted within the first 30 days. Ten Indian cities are designated to be developed as ’Global Cities’, with world-class airports. Besides, the fleet acquisition programme of Indian Airlines and Air India will be completed before the end of 2004 and all airports in the country will be brought under the framework of public-private partnerships. According to the manifesto, in order to promote domestic tourism, every district will be encouraged to prepare a District Tourism Development Plan (DTDP), harnessing its own unique attractions, setting targets, and offering good infrastructure and affordable amenities. Adventure tourism and rural tourism will be two new areas for development. The party is planning to set up a Tourism Development Fund (TDF) to improve infrastructure, amenities, and cleanliness standards at 100 important centres of pilgrimage across the country in the next five years.