During a roadshow held ahead of the summit at the St Regis Hotel in Mumbai, Tourism Ministry officials from various Western Region States emphasized how the Union Tourism Ministry's main focus in 2023 will be to establish the country as a key tourism destination during its year-long leadership. Various Consulates provided a global perspective.
Prashant Ranjan, Director, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, stated that India will showcase opportunities for investment and trade in various tourism segments such as theme parks, adventure tourism, and wellness tourism at the Global Tourism Investor's Summit. The Indian government has a vision of USD 56 billion in forex, creating around 140 million jobs in tourism by 2030 through inclusive growth, with a particular emphasis on cruise tourism, ecotourism, and adventure tourism.
He also stated that the Indian government has been investing in infrastructure and promoting the tourism and hospitality sectors through various schemes and initiatives, and that they are now launching the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, which will focus on the sustainable and responsible development of tourist destinations.
Saurabh Vijay, Principal Secretary - Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, stated that the government is discussing the creation of an online application portal to facilitate investment opportunities in Maharashtra, India. They have identified a number of opportunities, including land for amusement parks, autism, cruise tourism, and ecotourism, as well as a focus on private investment and partnerships. GoM has identified specific locations and projects, such as a mangrove park and aquarium project, and is also looking into MICE tourism and responsible tourism opportunities. Maharashtra has reduced the number of licences to ten only for the sake of 'ease of doing business.' "The Cruise Capital" is Mumbai, and the "Tiger Capital" is Tadoba.
Vijay also thanked the CII for organizing the roadshow in Mumbai, and stated that Maharashtra would be delighted to participate in the First Global Tourism Investors' Summit in 2023.
Sunit Kothari, Co-Convener, CII Maharashtra Sub-group on Tourism and Aviation & Director, Kothari Group while welcoming the delegates said, "The Indian travel and tourism industry is a rapidly growing and attractive investment destination, due to the growing middle class, efforts by the government to boost the industry, the diverse range of tourist experiences offered, the increasing digitalization of the industry, and the significant untapped potential for growth.”
“Maharashtra is a popular tourist destination in western India known for its diverse range of attractions such as beaches, hill stations, wildlife sanctuaries, ancient temples, and monuments. The state has the potential to become an ideal tourism destination by capitalizing on its many assets while addressing its current shortcomings," he added. State officials from Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Daman & Diu presented policy initiatives implemented by their respective Tourism/Industries Departments to improve ease of doing business, as well as a summary of unique fiscal and non-fiscal incentives in the sector.
They also shared investment success stories and reaffirmed their commitment to leveraging the tourism sector's potential as a vehicle for transformational socioeconomic change. The roadshow piqued the interest of small and medium-sized businesses in the potential and promise of the upcoming summit.
