Narendra Modi’s tourism policy ushers in new hopes for Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kalimpong

EOI, Kolkata, 3 March 2023: Addressing a post-budget webinar on ‘Developing Tourism in Mission Mode,’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi has listed out tourism potentials in the country, says a PIB release issued on Friday. 

Two of these would directly have a positive impact on tourism in Sikkim, and the districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong in West Bengal: Himalayan tourism and Buddha circuit. 

The Prime Minister has mentioned about several other destinations and circuits with tourism potential in the country: coastal tourism, beach tourism, mangrove tourism, adventure tourism, wildlife tourism, eco-tourism, heritage tourism, spiritual tourism, wedding destinations, tourism via conferences and sports tourism; and Ramayana Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Northeast Circuit, Gandhi Circuit, and pilgrimages of all saints.

Noting that yatras have been a part of India’s cultural and social life for centuries and people used to go on pilgrimages even when there were no resources available to them, the Prime Minister has pointed out that tourism is not a fancy word associated only with the high-income groups of the country. 

He has mentioned about Char Dham Yatra, Dwadash Jyotirling Yatra and 51ShaktipeethYatra and said these used to “connect the places of our faith while also strengthening the unity of the country.”

These tourist destinations had suffered due to lack of development and the absence of facilities, but now with improved infrastructure tourism is again flourishing in these pilgrim centres; like Varanasi where the footfall has increased to 70 million a year since the rebuilding of the temple city. More than 1.5 million people have visited Kedarnath after reconstruction work at Kedarghati. 

Pointing out that the increase in facilities has a direct impact on the number of tourists and the increasing numbers mean more opportunities for employment and self-employment, the Prime Minister has underline that remote villages are now coming up on the tourism map due to their improving infrastructure. 

The Centre has started the ‘Vibrant Village Scheme’ for villages situated along the border and emphasized on the need to support businesses such as home-stays, small hotels and restaurants. 

Pointing to the increasing number of foreign tourists in India, the Prime Minister has said 800,000foreign tourists visited India in January this year compared to only 200,000in January last year. 

He has also underlined the need to profile foreign tourists and create a special strategy to attract to the country those who have the maximum spending capacity. Foreign tourists who come to India spend an average of $1700, while international travellers spend an average of $2500in America and around$5000 in Australia. 

“India has a lot to offer to high-spending tourists”, he has pointed out. The Prime Minister has stressed that every state needs to change its tourism policy to align with this thought. He has given the example of birdwatchers who camp in the country for months and underlined that policies should be made to target such potential tourists. 

Highlighting the basic challenge of the tourism sector, the Prime Minister pointed out The lack of professional tourist guides in India is a basic challenge of the tourism sector, he has said, and stressed on the need for certificate courses in local colleges for guides. 

Guides working in a particular tourist destination should also have a specific dress or uniform so that tourists will come to know at first glance. 

The mind of a tourist is full of questions and guides can help them find answers to all those questions. 

The Prime Minister has also stressed on promoting school and college trips to the northeast so that more people become aware and start developing infrastructure and facilities for tourists.