India to develop 50 new tourism destinations

The Republic of India has planned to develop 50 new tourism destinations across the country in order to boost green tourism. Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has said that the tourism ministry will explore the promotion of destination management.

Arvind Singh also launched a publicity campaign to make 59 new air routes operational to boost tourism and travel across the country. He reportedly said, “India’s tourism sector is showing one of the strongest recoveries in the Asia Pacific region. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, India registered 6.19 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2022.”

While attending the G20 Tourism Expo in Rajasthan, the minister said, “We have recommended 59 new routes to the Ministry of civil aviation of India under the regional air connectivity scheme which has been successful.”

During the event, the secretary of the Ministry of Tourism noted that 50 new Tourism destinations would be developed to promote the tourism sector and Green Tourism. He said that the tourism ministry would also improve rail, road and Air connectivity.

Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Minister of Civil Aviation of India, said that nearly 25 airports in India have been using 100 per cent green energy. He also said, “We are working towards encouraging the use of sustainable aviation fuel.”

India has also planned to make Chennai, a city in Tamil Nadu, the hub for cruise tourism. Recently, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said that a continuous cruise service was operated from June to September last year at Chennai Port. Chennai Port and Cordelia Cruises also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to increase cruise tourism in India.

Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi is also set to get its fourth runway in September this year. Aviation Secretary Rajiv Bansal said that the airport’s new terminal and its fourth runway can start commercial operations in September.