World Tourism Day 2025: Tourism and Sustainable Transformation

IN NEWS
World Tourism Day 2025: Tourism and Sustainable Transformation

ANALYSIS

• 
  

• Theme & Host:
  The theme for World Tourism Day 2025 is “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”, emphasizing tourism’s power to promote positive change through sustainability, strategic governance, and effective monitoring.
  The global celebration and World Tourism Conference (WTC) 2025 were hosted by Malaysia in Melaka from September 27–29, 2025.

• Global Context & Significance:

  • Observed annually on September 27, it marks the adoption of the UNWTO statutes (1970).

  • First celebrated in 1980, the day highlights tourism’s role in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strengthening socio-economic growth worldwide.

• India’s Tourism Growth (2025 Highlights):

  • Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs): 56 lakh till August 2025.

  • Domestic Tourist Visits: 303.59 crore till August 2025.

  • Inbound Tourism (June 2025): 16.5 lakh visitors; Outbound Tourism: 84.4 lakh travellers.

  • Foreign Exchange Earnings: ₹51,532 crore.

  • GDP Contribution (2023–24): ₹15.73 lakh crore (5.22% of GDP).

  • Employment Generation: 36.90 million direct and 47.72 million indirect (13.34% of total employment).

• Major Government Initiatives for Tourism Development

  1. Swadesh Darshan & Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)

  • Launched in 2014–15, focusing on thematic tourism circuits.

  • 76 projects worth ₹5,290.30 crore sanctioned; 75 completed.

  • Revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (2023) for sustainable and tourist-centric destinations.

  • 52 projects worth ₹2,108.87 crore sanctioned in two years.

  • Circuits include Ramayana, Buddhist, Coastal, Tribal, Himalayan, Heritage, and Eco Circuits.
    
    2. Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD)

  • Focuses on Culture & Heritage, Spiritual & Eco-Tourism, Amrit Dharohar, Vibrant Villages.

  • 36 projects approved; completion target: March 2026.

  • Examples:

    • Mayali Bagicha (Chhattisgarh) – Ecotourism & Amrit Dharohar Sites.

    • Impur Heritage Experience (Nagaland) – Spiritual Tourism.

    • LangthabalKonug (Manipur) – Cultural & Heritage Tourism.

  • 3. PRASHAD Scheme (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive)

  • Started in 2014–15; 54 projects across 28 States/UTs with assistance exceeding ₹1168 crore.

  • Focus: accessibility, cleanliness, and local employment.

  • Examples: Patna Sahib (Bihar), Somnath Promenade (Gujarat), Hazratbal Shrine (J&K), Tripura Sundari Temple (Tripura).

  • 4. Dekho Apna Desh Initiative (2020)

  • Promotes domestic tourism through digital engagement, webinars, polls, and roadshows.

  • Encourages citizens to explore and vote for their favorite destinations.

  • 5. Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP-I & II)

  • VVP-I (2023) and VVP-II (2025) aim to promote tourism and livelihood opportunities in border villages across 19 districts and 16 states/UTs.

  • Budget (VVP-II): ₹6,839 crore till FY 2028–29.

  • 6. SASCI Scheme (Sustainable and Responsible Tourism Initiative)

  • Launched July 2025; 40 projects worth ₹3295.76 crore sanctioned with 100% central funding.

  • Aims for iconic, globally competitive destinations such as Jal Mahal, Jaipur.

  • 7. Capacity Building for Service Providers (CBSP)

  • Enhances employability for locals, women, and tribal groups.

  • Initiatives: Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi for community empowerment.

  • 8. Digital Tourism Initiatives

  • Incredible India Digital Portal – provides travel planning, booking, and AI chatbot assistance.

  • 294.76 crore domestic visits logged in 2024.

  • Incredible India Content Hub launched in 2024 as a global digital repository of tourism media content.

  • 9. One India, One Registration (NIDHI Portal)

  • Classifies homestays (Gold/Silver) and provides up to ₹5 crore assistance for developing village-based homestays.

  • Mudra Loans announced for homestays in Budget 2025–26.

  • 10. Tribal Tourism Development

  • Promotes tribal homestays under Swadesh Darshan with funding up to ₹5 lakh per household.

  • 11. MICE Tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions)

  • National roadmap to make India a global MICE hub.

  • Venues: Bharat Mandapam, Yashobhoomi, Jio World Centre.

  • Goal: Upgrade at least 10 cities to world-class MICE destinations.

  • 12. Sub-sectoral Focus

  • Festival Tourism – via Utsav Portal for events and live darshans.

  • Adventure Tourism – 120 new peaks opened for trekking.

  • Wedding Tourism – “India Says I Do” and “Wed in India” campaigns.

  • Cruise Tourism – 51 new circuits under Cruise Bharat Mission (2024–29).

  • Pilgrimage Tourism – strengthened through PRASHAD & Swadesh Darshan.

  • Medical Tourism – boosted under “Heal in India” initiative, integrating modern and traditional healthcare.

STATIC PORTION

• World Tourism Day – Observed every year on 27 September.

• Established by – United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

• First celebrated – 1980.

• Objective – To promote sustainable, inclusive, and globally responsible tourism.

• Host Country (2025) – Malaysia (City: Melaka).

• UNWTO Headquarters – Madrid, Spain.

• India’s Tourism Ministry – Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

Updated – 26 Sept  2025 ; 11:08 PM | PIB
[News Source: Press Information Bureau – World Tourism Day 2025 Releas
e