Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Chairs National Tourism Workshop in Kevadia

India witnessed a strong revival in domestic tourism after the pandemic, with billions of domestic tourist visits recorded annually, while international tourist arrivals are also steadily recovering.

In a major push to transform India into a globally competitive tourism powerhouse, Union Minister of Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Monday called upon States and Union Territories to adopt integrated, sustainable, and experience-driven tourism development models while actively partnering with the Centre to create world-class tourism destinations across the country.

Addressing the National Consultative Workshop on "Developing Tourist Destinations to Global Standards" at Kevadia, Gujarat, Shri Shekhawat emphasized that while the Central Government would continue to provide financial and policy support for tourism infrastructure and destination development, States and UTs must also take proactive responsibility in areas such as:

• Integrated destination planning,

• Visitor management,

• Ease of doing business,

• Sustainability practices,

• Community participation,

• Tourism ecosystem governance.

The two-day workshop, organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, brought together senior government officials, tourism experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and representatives from States and Union Territories to deliberate on strategies for developing globally competitive tourism destinations capable of attracting both domestic and international travellers.

Tourism Emerging as a Major Economic Growth Driver

The workshop comes at a time when India's tourism sector is undergoing rapid expansion and is increasingly being viewed as a critical pillar of economic growth, employment generation, cultural diplomacy, and regional development.

India witnessed a strong revival in domestic tourism after the pandemic, with billions of domestic tourist visits recorded annually, while international tourist arrivals are also steadily recovering. The government has been focusing on positioning India as a premium global tourism destination by investing in:

• Heritage tourism,

• Spiritual tourism,

• Eco-tourism,

• Adventure tourism,

• Coastal tourism,

• Rural tourism,

• MICE tourism,

• Wellness tourism,

• Cruise tourism,

• Sustainable destination infrastructure.

Officials believe that transforming select destinations into globally benchmarked tourism hubs can significantly boost local economies, hospitality sectors, transport networks, and employment opportunities.

Centre Calls for Shared Responsibility in Destination Development

Speaking during the workshop, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stressed that tourism development cannot be achieved through infrastructure investments alone and requires a coordinated "whole ecosystem" approach involving governments, local communities, private stakeholders, and service providers.

He noted that successful global tourism destinations are built through:

• Strong destination management systems,

• Seamless visitor experiences,

• Cleanliness and sustainability,

• Efficient urban planning,

• Digital integration,

• High-quality hospitality standards,

• Safety and accessibility.

The Minister said India possesses unparalleled tourism potential due to its:

• Diverse geography,

• Rich cultural heritage,

• Ancient civilization,

• Spiritual traditions,

• Biodiversity,

• Cuisine,

• Festivals,

• Historical monuments,

• Coastal assets,

• Wildlife ecosystems.

However, he stressed that realizing this potential requires strategic planning and long-term execution at both Central and State levels.

Focus on "Experience-Driven Tourism"

A major theme emerging from the workshop was the shift from destination-based tourism to "experience-driven tourism," where travellers increasingly seek immersive, sustainable, and curated travel experiences.

The Ministry highlighted the importance of:

• Creating holistic tourism circuits,

• Enhancing visitor engagement,

• Leveraging digital technologies,

• Promoting local culture and crafts,

• Encouraging community-based tourism,

• Ensuring environmental sustainability.

Officials noted that global tourists today prioritize authenticity, safety, convenience, and experiential value over conventional sightseeing models.

The workshop therefore focused heavily on integrated planning frameworks capable of improving both physical infrastructure and experiential quality.

High-Level Deliberations on Global Tourism Standards

The event began with opening remarks by Shri Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and Director General (Tourism), followed by an address from Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism.

Minister of State for Tourism Shri Suresh Gopi also addressed the participants, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts between the Centre, States, and industry stakeholders to strengthen India's tourism ecosystem and improve visitor experiences across destinations.

One of the key sessions of the workshop featured a detailed presentation by Shri Suvasish Das, Joint Secretary (Destination Development Division), on the Ministry's concept framework for "Developing Global Standard Tourist Destinations."

The discussions focused on:

• Integrated destination planning,

• Sustainable infrastructure creation,

• Visitor management systems,

• Tourism governance,

• Ease of doing business,

• Environmental sustainability,

• Enhancing tourist experiences,

• Smart tourism solutions,

• Branding and digital promotion.

Ekta Nagar and Statue of Unity Model Showcased

A major highlight of the workshop was a presentation on the tourism development model of Ekta Nagar and the Statue of Unity, which has emerged as one of India's most successful tourism transformation projects.

The presentation showcased how integrated planning, connectivity improvements, sustainability measures, visitor flow management, and diversified tourism offerings helped transform the region into a world-class tourism destination attracting millions of visitors annually.

Officials highlighted several key aspects of the Ekta Nagar model, including:

• Multi-modal connectivity,

• Eco-sensitive planning,

• Tourism diversification,

• Local employment generation,

• Public-private partnerships,

• Technology-enabled visitor management,

• Clean energy integration,

• Destination branding.

The Ministry believes the model offers valuable lessons for other States seeking to build globally competitive tourism destinations.

Adventure Tourism and MICE Promotion in Focus

Technical sessions during the workshop covered several emerging growth areas in the tourism sector.

A major focus was placed on the proposed National Adventure Tourism Framework, aimed at standardizing safety protocols, regulatory systems, and infrastructure development for adventure tourism activities across India.

Discussions also addressed:

• Ease of doing business in tourism,

• Simplification of approvals and licensing,

• Strengthening tourism investment frameworks,

• Promotion of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism,

• City-level MICE Promotion Bureau Guidelines,

• Digital tourism marketing strategies.

Officials also emphasized the role of the Incredible India Digital Platform and social media-driven destination branding in attracting global travellers and improving India's tourism visibility internationally.

States Showcase Destination Development Strategies

As part of the consultative process, several States presented their strategies for developing globally competitive tourism destinations.

Presentations during the first phase were made by:

• Andhra Pradesh,

• Bihar,

• Gujarat,

• Kerala,

• Telangana,

• Karnataka,

• Chhattisgarh,

• Tamil Nadu.

The States showcased destination-specific tourism development models, infrastructure projects, sustainability initiatives, digital tourism strategies, and community participation frameworks.

The presentations reflected increasing competition among States to position themselves as premium tourism investment and visitor destinations.

Officials indicated that the second day of the workshop would feature additional region-wise presentations by States and Union Territories focusing on future tourism proposals and globally benchmarked destination strategies.

Sustainable Tourism and Local Participation Key Priorities

Environmental sustainability and community participation emerged as central themes throughout the workshop.

The Ministry emphasized that future tourism growth must balance:

• Economic development,

• Ecological conservation,

• Cultural preservation,

• Local livelihoods,

• Responsible tourism practices.

Experts noted that sustainable tourism has become a critical global benchmark, with travellers increasingly preferring environmentally conscious destinations that preserve local heritage and biodiversity.

Officials stressed that involving local communities in tourism planning and economic participation would be essential for ensuring long-term sustainability and inclusive growth.

India Positioning Itself as Global Tourism Leader

The workshop reflects the Government's broader vision of positioning India among the world's leading tourism economies by leveraging:

• Infrastructure modernization,

• Digital transformation,

• Destination branding,

• Policy reforms,

• Sustainable tourism frameworks,

• Experience-based travel ecosystems.

Industry observers believe India's tourism sector has the potential to become one of the country's largest employment generators and foreign exchange earners over the coming decade if supported by globally competitive destination standards.

With increasing investments in highways, airports, railways, hospitality infrastructure, heritage conservation, and smart tourism solutions, India is seeking to create a tourism ecosystem capable of matching international benchmarks while preserving its unique cultural identity.