Dharamshala Declaration [UPSC Current Affairs]

The government has come out with the Dharmashala Declaration with the intention to make India a global leader in tourism by 2047.

This is an important topic, especially for the Indian economy and current affairs segments of the UPSC Syllabus. Aspirants can read all about the Dharmashala Declaration in this article, and also download the notes PDF at the end.

Dharmashala Declaration

Tourism is one of the most important economic activities in India which provides employment to a large section of the population and at the same time enables India to earn lots of foreign exchange. But, this economic activity was adversely affected during the covid-19 pandemic. The tourism sector generated INR 16.91 lakh crore (USD 240 billion) or 9.2% of India’s GDP in 2018 and has supported around 42.67 million jobs or 8.1% of total employment.

On World Tourism Day (September 27) 2022, the government announced the Dharmashala Declaration with an aim to recognise India’s role in promoting global tourism and also boost the domestic tourism sector.

Dharamshala Declaration Objectives

• It aims to pull India out of the pandemic’s adverse effects and push India’s tourism sector to the pre-pandemic level by 2024 in the short term. The country is estimated to achieve a USD 150 billion GDP contribution, USD 30 billion foreign exchange earnings and 15 million foreign tourist arrivals by 2024.
• In the medium term, by 2030, the Indian economy is expected to grow at 7-9% and thus tourism’s goal is to achieve a USD 250 billion GDP contribution, 137 million jobs, 56 million foreign tourist arrivals and USD 56 billion in foreign exchange earnings.
• It also aims to position India as a major tourist destination in the upcoming G-20 meeting. It will document India’s rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty.
• It has also committed to bringing about necessary interventions including visa reforms, ease of travel, travel-friendly immigration facilities and openness to international travel.
• It also enumerates that the National Tourism Policy has been drafted with an aim to achieve the target of  USD1 trillion by 2047.
• The Ministry has recently launched the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible destinations following a tourist & destination-centric approach. 
  • The document also suggests that various tourist circuits are being promoted and a new ‘Ambedkar Circuit’ shall soon be launched. The Himalayan Circuit will also be promoted under the action plan for the development of tourist circuits
• It has enumerated that, it will emphasise India’s cultural and architectural beauty and scenic atmosphere in order to attract tourists to India.
• It has also made a target to highlight various dynamics of tourism like Cultural, Spiritual and Heritage tourism, tourism in Himalayan states, Medical tourism, etc.
• The Ministry has also sanctioned 7500 crores for the development of tourism infrastructure throughout the country. 76 projects have been sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in 30 States and UTs.

Dharamshala Declaration – Areas of Focus

The declaration identifies five major areas of focus for the tourism industry for the next ten years. They are:

1. Green tourism
2. Digital tourism
3. Destination management
4. Skilling the hospitality sector
5. Supporting tourism-related to MSMEs

Conclusion: India has a huge potential to register huge economic growth in tourism and provide meaningful employment to a large section of the people. Along with aiming for growth in the tourism sector, it is equally important that effort must be made to ensure that the growth of the tourism sector does not adversely affect the environment. Therefore, tourism and sustainability must go hand in hand. 

Dharamshala Declaration:- Download PDF Here