Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to avoid unnecessary foreign travel for a year, the country’s tourism sector said reducing outbound spending alone would not be enough. It believes India should also focus on attracting more international tourists to increase foreign exchange earnings, reported PTI.
The tourism and hospitality sector said the Prime Minister’s appeal comes at a time when the country is dealing with economic pressure from rising global uncertainty and higher import costs. However, industry leaders feel India must strike a balance between saving foreign exchange and earning more through tourism.
The Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH) said it understands the thinking behind the Prime Minister’s remarks.
According to Rajiv Mehra, Secretary General of FAITH, the government’s concern appears linked to the pressure on India’s foreign exchange reserves amid global instability. The continuing tensions involving Iran and the US have created uncertainty in international markets, making economic conditions more challenging.
Mehra said in such times, reducing unnecessary spending abroad becomes important. He supported the idea of cutting back on leisure travel overseas and also advised against holding expensive destination weddings outside India.
Over the years, more Indians have started travelling abroad for holidays, while wealthy families have increasingly preferred international locations for weddings and celebrations.
While backing the Prime Minister’s appeal, FAITH stressed that India must also pay equal attention to bringing more foreign visitors into the country.
The industry body said tourism can become a strong source of foreign exchange if the right steps are taken. It suggested easier visa rules, better flight connectivity and stronger global marketing to make India more attractive to international travellers.
Mehra pointed out that despite India’s rich culture, natural beauty, spiritual destinations and famous historical sites, the country receives only around two crore foreign tourists every year.
According to the tourism body, this number could rise significantly if tourism receives stronger policy support and better international promotion.
FAITH believes India has all the ingredients needed to become one of the world’s leading travel destinations. From mountains and beaches to heritage monuments and cultural experiences, the country offers a wide range of attractions.
However, industry leaders feel India still has untapped tourism potential. They argue that improving infrastructure and promoting the country more actively overseas could help attract millions of additional visitors.