PILOT SCHEME PROPOSED  FOR UPSKILLING 10,000 GUIDES IN 20 ICONIC TOURIST SITES THROUGH A STANDARDIZED, HIGH-QUALITY 12-WEEK TRAINING COURSE Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the Union Budget 2026-27 in Parliament  said, “To promote India as a hub for medical tourism services, I propose to launch a Scheme to support States in establishing five ...

In terms of international tourist arrivals, the latest data indicates a significant upward trend, as reflected in the table below:   International Tourist Arrivals in India Year ITA (in million) 2019 17.91 2020 6.33 2021 7 2022 14.33 2023 18.89 2024 (Provisional) 20.57 Source: Bureau of Immigration No specific study on the subject has been undertaken by the Ministry of ...

The Ministry of Tourism undertakes various promotional activities in important and potential tourist generating markets with the objective to promote tourism to the country, in association with the Indian Missions located in the respective countries, State Governments/ Union Territories Administrations and travel trade sector. These promotional activities undertaken during the last five years include participation in various international travel trade ...

India is emerging as one of the fastest-growing destinations for Medical Value Travel (MVT), combining world-class medical infrastructure, highly skilled healthcare professionals and cost-effective treatment with the country’s unique strength in traditional systems of medicine and holistic wellness. From complex surgical procedures to long-term wellness therapies, India today offers an integrated healthcare ecosystem that is increasingly attracting international patients seeking ...

States like Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha have pioneered unique programmes. Kerala’s responsible tourism, Madha Pradesh’s rural tourism policy and Odisha’s eco-retreat programme emphasize sustainability and local participation Ecotourism in Odisha focuses on community managed sustainable nature tourism in forest areas; offering stays in nature camps, safaris, trekking and boating,leveraging destinations like Similipal, Daringbadi, Debrigarh and Ansupa lake to support local livelihoods, ...

The antiquity of temples in tandem with the serene and sublime natural extravaganza, makes Odisha a unique destination for spiritual alleviation. Therefore, the motivation to visit Odisha transcends faith or religion to a more encompassing concept of pilgrimage, festivals, meditation, yoga and wellness. India’s spiritual tourism market is booming, driven by government investment, digital platforms, and social media, projected to ...

The State-wise list of 65 Lighthouses earmarked for development of tourism on PPP mode is annexed and the State-wise summary is listed below: S.No. Name of the State No. of Lighthouses 1. Gujarat 13 2. Tamil Nadu 11 3. Kerala 10 4. Andhra Pradesh* 09 5. Maharashtra 05 6. Karnataka 05 7. Odisha 05 8. West Bengal 03 9. Andaman ...

Key Highlights: Tourism Sector Contributes approx. 15% in overall employment of the country: 3rd TSA Approx 228 million jobs (both direct and indirect) due to tourism The Ministry of Tourism under its Swadesh Darshan scheme has sanctioned 76 projects under identified themes which includes 2 projects under Rural Theme.  Identification, Promotion and Development of Tourism is primarily the responsibility of the ...

Odisha is not only a land of magnificent monuments, intricate handicrafts, colourful fairs and festivals, Odishi Dance and Music; but also a land of golden beaches, precipitous waterfalls, sprawling lakes, healing hot springs, luxuriant forests. Odisha Tourism, the Tourism development wing of the Odisha government is organizing ‘Eco Retreat Odisha’ at multiple tourist destinations in the State during every winter season. ...

Flocks of migratory waterfowl arrive from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea, remote parts of Russia, Kirghiz steppes of Mongolia, Central and South East Asia, Ladakh and the Himalayas, to feed and breed in the fertile waters of Chilika lake; which can be visited most conveniently through Balugaon, Barkul, Rambha and Satpada close to Puri. After ...