National Tourism Day is observed on 25 January every year just before Republic Day whereas World Tourism Day is observed on September 27. The main goal of this day is to promote and increase public awareness of the value and relevance of tourism in society at large, as well as its social, political, economic, and cultural significance.
India is a nation known for its variety, and we are pleased to display our rich cultural legacy to the outside world. National Tourism Day strives to raise awareness of the contribution that tourism makes to the nation's economy on an industrial level.
According to estimates, the tourist sector employs more than 7.7% of all employees in India. Every year, millions of international visitors come to India (7.42 million in 2014). India rose six points from 2018 to take the 34th spot on the World Competitiveness Index for Travel & Tourism. According to the data available, over 93,67,424 visitors travelled to India in 2018, up from over 88,67,963 in 2017. According to the World Travel and Tourist Board, India has the seventh-largest travel and tourism economy in the world. The travel and tourism industry are expected to grow by roughly 10 million jobs in India by 2028. Some locations with tourist attractions are Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Goa, and Uttar Pradesh. (As per Source).
History of Tourism Day
National Tourism Day has a long history dating back to the Indian government's proclamation of January 25 as Tourism Day in India. This day was created to highlight the value of travel and raise awareness of how vital it is to the economy of the nation. The nation as a whole warmly celebrates Indian tourism.
To enhance tourism, a Tourist Traffic Group was formed in 1948. The company's first regional offices were established in Delhi and Mumbai. Three years later, in 1951, other offices were built in Kolkata and Chennai.
Significance of National Tourism Day
The significance of the day is self-evident. Its goal is to highlight the significance of the tourist sector. One of the oldest civilizations in the world, India is rich in variety, legacy, culture, religion, and spirituality. The nation is well-known for its illustrious past and top tourist destinations. The purpose of National Tourist Day is to increase public awareness of the prospects for expansion in the tourism sector and its effects on India's economic progress. This day is dedicated to welcoming visitors from across the globe who come to learn more about the history and culture of our nation.
Theme for National Tourism Day 2023
The theme of National Tourism Day 2022 was 'Rural and Community Centric Tourism’.
The primary event is being organised by the central government in Telangana's Pochampally village, a weavers' hamlet on the outskirts of Hyderabad. Pochampally, noted for its hand-woven Ikat sarees, was named one of the top tourism towns by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 2021.
The subject of National Tourism Day was 'Dekho Apna Desh' under the campaign of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Quotes on Tourism Day
• “We belong to a tradition where we treat the entire universe as our family. For me, globalization is the manifestation of nationalization. There is no contradiction between the two” -NARENDRA MODI
• “People Don't Take Trips, Trips Take People.” -JOHN STEINBECK
• “Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travellers don’t know where they’re going” -PAUL THEROUX
• “I Can't Think of Anything That Excites a Greater Sense of Childlike Wonder Than to Be in a Country Where You Are Ignorant of Almost Everything.” -BILL BRYSON
• “Life is a journey that must be travelled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations” -OLIVER GOLDSMITH
• “Travel Makes One Modest. You See What a Tiny Place You Occupy in the World.” -GUSTAVE FLAUBERT
Conclusion
The centric theme of Tourism Day Celebration in India is to educate people about benefits of keeping our cultural heritage safe and spread the importance of tourism. It is great time to appreciate the diversity and cultural importance of our country hidden in different regions. Beginning of India National Tourism Day is an excellent initiative taken by Indian Government in 2022 under the aegis of 75 Years of Independence. It is the best way to spread beauty of Indian History, natural abundance and culture over the globe.