Why in the News?

World Tourism Day 2026 will be observed on 27 September under the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”.
India is expanding its tourism ecosystem through AI, digital platforms, destination development, connectivity and skill development.

Key Highlights

India’s tourism contribution: 5.22% of GDP.
Tourism employment: 8.46 crore jobs in 2023-24.
Domestic Tourist Visits: 428.55 crore in 2025.
Foreign Tourist Visits: 2.53 crore in 2025.
Foreign Exchange Earnings: ₹2,76,831 crore in 2025.
Global tourism contributed US$10.9 trillion, or 10% of global GDP, in 2024.
Global tourism supported 357 million jobs in 2024.
World Tourism Day 2026: Observed in El Salvador.
First celebrated: 1980.
Linked to adoption of UNWTO statutes in 1970.

e-Visa
- Introduced in 2014 with Electronic Travel Authorisation for 43 countries.
- Now available to nationals of 172 countries.
- Entry through 88 international ports:
  - 37 airports
  - 38 seaports
  - 13 land ports
- Around 78% of visas are issued electronically.
- Around 95% of e-Visa applications are processed within 72 hours.
Incredible India Digital Platform
- Provides virtual experiences covering cultural, heritage, adventure, gastronomical, wellness, art and craft, and rural tourism.
- Uses AI-powered tools for personalised experiences.
- Provides weather updates, city exploration and travel services.
- Connects travellers with Online Travel Agents and tourism stakeholders.
NIDHI+
- National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry.
- Digital platform for registration, recognition and classification of tourism service providers.
- As of 23 September 2026:
  - 63,740 accommodation units
  - 54 convention centres
  - 215 food business operators
  - 1,450 online travel aggregators
  - 15,531 tourism service providers

Swadesh Darshan
- Launched in 2014-15.
- 76 projects sanctioned with over ₹5,295.24 crore.
- Covers 15 thematic tourist circuits.
- 75 projects physically completed.
Swadesh Darshan 2.0
- Destination-centric and focused on sustainable and experience-based tourism.
- 53 projects worth ₹2,207.08 crore sanctioned.
Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD)
- Sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0.
- Focuses on holistic destination development and sustainable tourism.
- 37 projects worth ₹687.99 crore sanctioned.
PRASHAD
- Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive.
- Launched in 2014-15.
- 54 projects worth ₹1,726.18 crore sanctioned.
- Focuses on infrastructure and visitor facilities at pilgrimage and heritage destinations.

Cruise tourism
- Sea cruise passenger traffic increased from 1.08 lakh in 2014-15 to 4.62 lakh in 2025-26.
- International cruise terminals upgraded 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.
- Tourism facilities developed at 75 lighthouses.
MICE tourism
- MICE = Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions.
- Major infrastructure includes Bharat Mandapam, Yashobhoomi and Jio World Centre.
- Government aims to develop at least 10 Indian cities as global MICE destinations.

BRICS Tourism Ministers’ Meeting: Held in Jaipur, August 2026.
Adopted the Jaipur Declaration.
Four priorities:
- AI and tourism
- Sustainable and responsible tourism
- Tourism skilling and capacity building
- Tourism exchanges and seamless travel facilitation

Capacity Building for Service Providers (CBSP) provides skilling, upskilling and reskilling.
Hunar Se Rozgar Tak implemented under CBSP.
CBSP trained over 1.68 lakh people and placed more than 36,000 between FY 2020-21 and FY 2024-25.
Paryatan Mitra/Paryatan Didi, launched in 2024, has trained around 4,382 candidates.

World Tourism Day: 27 September.
2026 theme: “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”.
First World Tourism Day: 1980.
UNWTO statutes: adopted in 1970.
India’s tourism contribution: 5.22% of GDP.
Domestic Tourist Visits in 2025: 428.55 crore.
NIDHI+: Digital database/platform for hospitality and tourism service providers.
Swadesh Darshan 2.0: Destination-centric approach focused on sustainable and experience-based tourism.

World Tourism Day is not first celebrated in 1970: 1970 marks adoption of the UNWTO statutes; World Tourism Day was first celebrated in 1980.
NIDHI+ is not a visa platform: It concerns registration, recognition and classification of tourism service providers.
Swadesh Darshan vs Swadesh Darshan 2.0: The original scheme focuses on thematic tourism circuits, while Swadesh Darshan 2.0 adopts a destination-centric approach.
PRASHAD is not a general tourism infrastructure scheme: It specifically focuses on pilgrimage and heritage destinations.