Journal of Tourism & Hospitality
Open Access

Abstract

Travel in India: International Advertising Programme for Promoting Multi-Dimensional Tourism in India

Irfan M* and Yadav AK

Tourism activities is considered as one of the major sources of economic growth, at International level it is one of the fastest growing industries, accounting for more than 10% of total international trade and almost half of total trade in services, and can be considered as one of the world’s largest export earners (WTO, 2010). It regarded as a medium of employment generation Tourism reduces the trade deficit by generating the foreign exchange earnings from foreign tourist arrivals FTAs. It sometimes finances the import of capital goods necessary for the growth of manufacturing sectors in the economy. In many countries, foreign currency receipts from tourism exceeded currency receipts from all other sectors together. Over the past decades, the importance of the tourism sector for the economy has been steadily increasing. At International level it is recognized as a major contributor for long-run economic growth. It plays an important role in spurring investments in infrastructure and stimulates other industries by direct, indirect and induced effects. Tourism in India has shown a phenomenal growth in the past decade. But the growth was not so uniform since the promotional campaigns (Incredible India’ and ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’) focuses on tourism for holiday, recreation and leisure only hence tourism in India has confined its scope to these only but as the time is changing the tourism has evolved itself as a multi dimensional activity. In India tourism has much to offer to travellers and tourists than offering tourism for holiday and recreation only viz. 1. Medical Tourism: Medical Services in India are quiet cheaper in comparison to the developed nations, so we can take the advantage of this to promote medical tourism in order to attract more FTAs. 2. Business Tourism: As India is the fastest growing economy in the world, we can attract more people to do business here in this way promote business tourism which would result more FTAs. 3. Educational Tourism: Indian education system is known for its quality, many doctors, engineers and other professionals who have been educated in India are serving the world and have proved their worthiness. In this way by focusing on our quality education system we should promote educational tourism and attract more students of foreign nationals and consequently increasing the FTAs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 September 2014 launched the ‘Make in India’ campaign at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. PM Modi has targeted 25 sectors for ‘Make in India’ programme. Among them hospitality and tourism are also included. Through, ‘Make in India’ the infrastructure a key driver of the economy highly responsible for propelling countries overall development. Would ensure time-bound creation of world class infrastructure in the country. This sector includes power, bridges, dams, roads and urban infrastructure development etc. Infrastructure of the country would be improved. There would be no dearth of accessing basic amenities, which will ultimately improve the quality of life in India. If investment in hospitality and tourism sector is made then the fertility of this investment will be proved only if we could succeed to attract more foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) towards India. Taking the advantage of changing scenario of improvement in infrastructure and other basic amenities, we need to revitalize the promotional campaigning for promoting tourism as a multi dimensional activity Keeping in mind the above things the concept of “Travel in India” International Advertising Programme for promoting multi dimensional tourism in India is given in order to increase India’s global share in tourism by attracting more FTAs.