India currently hosts around 10 million foreign tourists annually, the ambitious goal is to increase this number to 100 million during the ‘Amrit Kaal’ period, said Mugdha Sinha, Director General of the Tourism Ministry here. In this regard she enlisted various measures being implemented to attract more international visitors and boost the inbound tourism sector. Amrit Kaal is the Prime Minister’s vision 2047 for ‘New India’ .

Majorly, the focus is on how the tourism industry, private and the Government sector can collaborate effectively. Efforts are also being made to encourage repeat visits by foreign tourists, said the new DG of the Tourism Ministry while talking to reporters here at the conclusion of the three-day BLTM 2024 event.

On the occasion, Uttarakhand’s Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj stated that tourism in India is expanding rapidly. “The world is opening its doors to Indian travelers and that increased tourism will generate more employment opportunities for locals.” He emphasised the connection between local crafts and travel-tourism.

Sanjeev Agarwal, founder and CEO of Fairfest Media Limited, the organizers of the expo, pointed out that to further strengthen the tourism sector, the country’s railway network needs to be improved. He pointed out that India has a vast railway network that requires enhancement.

According to estimates, India’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6 per cent between 2024 and 2029, reflecting the increasing significance of MICE in the tourism industry.

The Indian Exhibition Industry Association noted that the value of this industry was USD709 million in 2019 and is projected to reach USD1.283 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 10.25 per cent.

On the occasion, Jyoti Mayal, President of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), emphasised the pivotal role of India’s travel and tourism industry in the Nation’s economy.“The industry contributes 10 per cent to the GDP and generates approximately USD 78 billion annually. By 2029, it is expected to create 53 million jobs and attract 30.5 million travelers, highlighting its substantial growth potential.