National Tourism Day is celebrated in India on January 25 to educate people about the importance of tourism. It was established by the Indian government to raise awareness regarding the importance of tourism for India's economy.
This day promotes the tourism industry and also recognises its contribution to the growth and sustainability of tourist destinations and local communities. Moreover, the day also honours foreign visitors to come and explore the diverse Indian cultural heritage, traditional food, and history. Interestingly, in 2022, the National Tourism Day celebrations were a major part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, an initiative by the Government of India.
History and significance
National Tourism Day is observed to cultivate awareness among the global community on the importance of tourism. It also raises awareness related to tourism's social, political, financial, and cultural worth.
India offers several forms of tourism such as cultural, natural, heritage, educational, and business. It has also made significant strides in sports, rural, medical, cruise and eco-tourism. The Ministry of Tourism is the nodal agency in India to form national policies for the promotion and development of tourism. The ministry also coordinates with central, and state agencies and the public sector. India’s rich historical, cultural, and geographical diversity makes the country one of the most popular tourist destinations among foreign travellers.
According to statistics, over 15.3% of Indian employees work in the tourism industry. Every year, the country is visited by millions of foreign tourists (for instance, 7.42 million in 2014). National Tourism Day was established to promote the tourism industry and recognise its contribution to the growth and sustainability of tourist destinations and local communities.
India also participated in the celebration of the UN World Tourism Day (September 27, 2023). In 2008, India even hosted this event.
Theme
Every year, National Tourism Day is celebrated with a different theme as the centre of attraction. The theme for this year is 'Sustainable Journeys, Timeless Memories.' It emphasises the concept of responsible and mindful travel.
As a part of this day, seminars, cultural events, and other programmes are organised by the central government. On the other hand, several states organise events to promote tourism in their region.
(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)
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