Context
- Recently, World Tourism Day 2026 was observed on 27 September under the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”, with the central celebration at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
About World Tourism Day
- Initiative: United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
- First celebrated: 1980.
- It commemorates the adoption of the UNWTO Statutes in 1970.
- It highlights the contribution of tourism to socio-economic development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
India’s Tourism Sector at a Glance
- Contribution to GDP: 5.22%, measured through the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA).
- Employment: Rose from 6.94 Crore (2019-20) to 8.46 crore (2023-24).
- Domestic Tourist Visits: 428.55 Crore in 2025, up from 67.7 crore in 2021.
- Foreign Tourist Visits: 2.53 Crore in 2025, up from 0.1 crore in 2021.
- Foreign Exchange Earnings: ₹2,76,831 Crore in 2025, up from ₹63,978 Crore in 2021.
Digital Tourism Initiatives
e-Visa
- Introduced in 2014 with Electronic Travel Authorisation for nationals of 43 countries.
- It has expanded to 172 countries.
- Entry is available through 88 international ports:
- 37 airports
- 38 seaports
- 13 land ports.
Incredible India Digital Platform
- Provides digital and AI-powered tourism services.
- Offers virtual experiences related to culture, heritage, adventure, wellness, rural tourism and other attractions.
- Connects tourists with services such as flights, hotels, cabs, buses and monument tickets.
NIDHI+
- NIDHI: National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry.
- Provides a digital platform for registration, recognition and classification of tourism service providers.
- Covers accommodation units, convention centres, food businesses, online travel aggregators and other tourism service providers.
Key Government Schemes
- Swadesh Darshan (2014-15): Develops thematic tourist circuits; Swadesh Darshan 2.0 is destination-centric, with Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) as a sub-scheme.
- PRASHAD: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (2014-15); develops infrastructure at pilgrimage and heritage sites.
- SASCI: Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment for tourism; 100% Central funding.
- Capacity Building for Service Providers (CBSP): Skilling scheme; includes Hunar Se Rozgar Tak and Paryatan Mitra / Paryatan Didi (2024).
Emerging Tourism Segments
- Cruise tourism: Passenger traffic rose from 1.08 lakh (2014-15) to 4.62 lakh (2025-26); terminals at Visakhapatnam, Mumbai and Chennai; Puducherry added to the East Coast Cruise Circuit.
- Lighthouse tourism: Promoted under Section 23 of the Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021; facilities at 75 lighthouses.
- MICE tourism: Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions; venues include Bharat Mandapam, Yashobhoomi and Jio World Centre.
- BRICS: Tourism Ministers’ Meeting at Jaipur (August 2026) adopted the Jaipur Declaration during India’s BRICS Chairship.
Conclusion
World Tourism Day 2026 highlights India’s push to use digital platforms and AI, backed by destination-development schemes, to build an inclusive and sustainable tourism sector.
| Important CTC from this article for UPSC Prelims- Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) |