NEW DELHI, Dec 20: India has made significant strides in global tourism development, securing the 39th spot among 119 nations in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024. This marks an impressive improvement from its previous rank of 54th in the 2021 index. The country’s advancement is attributed to enhanced infrastructure and government policies designed to boost the tourism sector.
The Ministry of Tourism, led by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, noted that India’s 2021 ranking was revised to 38th due to a methodological change by the WEF. The minister provided this clarification in a written response to the Rajya Sabha.
India’s progress is also supported by several government initiatives, including the ‘Swadesh Darshan’, ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’, and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development’. These programs provide financial aid to state governments, Union Territory administrations, and Central agencies to enhance tourism-related infrastructure across the country.
In line with this, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently launched India’s official portal for Medical Value Travel (MVT), known as the Advantage Healthcare India portal. This “One-Stop” platform serves as a resource for those seeking medical treatment in India from abroad, positioning the country as a global leader in affordable medical tourism.
Earlier this week, President Droupadi Murmu highlighted India’s growing prominence as a medical tourism destination, emphasizing that the country’s doctors play a significant role in this development. “India is developing as a major centre of affordable medical tourism on the world stage, and doctors have a major role in this development. People from other countries visit India to take advantage of the medical facilities available here,” Murmu stated.
India’s rich cultural heritage also plays a crucial role in its tourism growth. Shekhawat emphasized the nation’s impressive historical offerings, which include over 5,000 years of civilization, 43 World Heritage Sites, 56 potential World Heritage Sites, and approximately 3,500 monuments of national importance. He highlighted that India’s cultural heritage stands as a testament to its global influence.
At the ‘Rising Rajasthan’ summit, Shekhawat further underscored the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that the concept of ‘Virasat Bhi Vikas Bhi’ (heritage and development) has been a driving force in the country’s tourism development, linking India’s historical uniqueness with its modern achievements.
