In a bid to reinvigorate tourism post-pandemic, The Department of Tourism, Goa is strategically targeting both domestic and international markets, aiming to diversify its tourist inflow. Deepak Narvekar, Deputy General Manager for Marketing, Hotels, IT & Public Relations, highlighted a notable rise in foreign tourist arrivals post-pandemic, with a portion hailing from emerging markets.
“Our focus is on targeting South Asian markets, given that Russia was our primary market previously. We are now redirecting our efforts towards countries like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The government of Goa is actively working to divert traffic from Uzbekistan into Goa, besides exploring other emerging destinations. Under the guidance of the Chief Minister of Goa and Tourism Minister, Rohan Khaunte, the Goa Tourism Board has established committees to strategise on targeting emerging markets and devising marketing strategies,” added Narvekar.
Notably, Goa celebrated the arrival of its first charter flight from Uzbekistan, Centrum Air Q6 5545, at Mopa Airport on December 7, 2023, marking the beginning of weekly charter flights linking Tashkent in Uzbekistan, to Goa until March 21, 2024. As per Rohan A. Khaunte, the Minister for Tourism, Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Printing and Stationary, Government of Goa, this marked the start of a promising collaboration of the state with Uzbekistan.
Tapping into other markets, the tourism department also plans roadshows in Lisbon, Austria, and Spain, alongside participating in global travel fairs such as WTM London, ATM Dubai, and ITB Berlin, Narvekar stated, underlining the efforts to tap into untapped avenues.
Anticipating a surge because of improved connectivity, he also said that with the recent addition of Mopa airport alongside the existing Dabolim, Goa will see a significant increase in tourist inflow in the year ahead. “We do receive FITs in large numbers. The government is collating data from airports and hotels to track foreign tourist numbers, hoping optimism for an increase this year,” he said.
Narvekar also revealed the recent collaborations with airlines, such as IndiGo’s new route from Goa to Dehradun to promote spiritual tourism has bore fruits. Additionally, initiatives like the recent regenerative tourism campaign aim to draw tourists beyond the beaches. “The focus has shifted from the beaches to the historic temples, with the launch of the Ekadasha Teertha campaign, which highlights the development of 11 temples dating back to over 500 years old. This move aims to move tourists from the beaches to the cultural heritage of Goa’s interiors,” he added.
As the pioneer of Regenerative Tourism in India, Goa sets the stage for this innovative venture. The MoU delineates a series of initiatives designed to unveil Goa’s hidden treasures, celebrate its rich heritage, and promote sustainable tourism practices. Rohan Khaunte, Minister of Tourism, IT, E&C, and Printing and Stationery, Government of Goa, articulated the vision behind this collaboration, underscoring the government’s dedication to rejuvenating the tourism sector.
Additionally, the state has implemented a homestay policy and is actively working to capitalise on its wealth of ancestral properties and heritage houses, providing tourists with an authentic experience. Recently, the Government of Goa has also teamed up with MakeMyTrip (MMT) to transform the state into a year-round destination beyond its beaches. This partnership focuses on boosting homestay experiences in Goa’s interiors, promoting unique travel itineraries, and highlighting local festivals. Emphasising sustainability, the collaboration also aims to repurpose 500,000 single-use plastic bottles for a public art installation, advocating for eco-friendly tourism practices and equitable economic benefits distribution across the state.
While acknowledging challenges like network connectivity in homestays operating in the remote areas, Narvekar assured proactive measures. “Plans are underway to extend mobile internet coverage to Goa’s interiors, including Tambdi Surla and Dudhsagar areas. While some locals initially opposed tower installations, the government is actively engaging with them to resolve concerns and enhance connectivity shortly. Additionally, the Chief Minister’s recent budget announcement includes the establishment of free Wi-Fi centers at Goa’s main attraction spots, ensuring widespread coverage across the region,” he told ETTravelWorld.
Also addressing the concerns about beach safety and tourist grievances, Narverkar said that the government-introduced Beach Vigil app is now live, which also empowers travellers to report incidents promptly. “Immediate action will be taken by the Department of Tourism upon receiving reports through the app,” Narvekar affirmed. In response to concerns about tourist harassment and service quality, the Goa government introduced ‘Beach Vigil App‘ in 2022 to monitor beach activities. Initially accessible only to officials, the app has now been made available to the public following a successful trial period.
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Dubai has announced a Five-Year Multiple-Entry Visa to further bolster travel between India and Dubai, underscoring its commitment to fostering sustained economic collaborations and encouraging tourism and business ties. This visionary initiative has been unveiled as Dubai welcomed a record 2.46 million overnight visitors from India in 2023, marking a 34% YoY growth. As India stands as the top source market for Dubai, DET is actively participating in SATTE 2024, India’s leading trade exhibition.
Under this program, tourists can obtain a visa within two to five working days, allowing them to stay in Dubai for up to 90 days, extendable once for a similar period, with a maximum stay of 180 days within a year. This flexible visa option caters to both leisure and business travellers, offering unparalleled convenience and connectivity.
This surge in Indian tourism underscores Dubai’s unwavering appeal as a top travel destination and aligns seamlessly with the visionary goals outlined in Dubai’s Economic Agenda, D33. Crafted under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the agenda aims to cement Dubai’s status as a global hub for business, leisure, and overall quality of l
Bader Ali Habib, Regional Head of Proximity Markets, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, expressed Dubai’s deep appreciation for its enduring relationship with India and emphasised the pivotal role of Indian tourists in Dubai’s tourism success. He underscored the five-year multiple-entry visa initiative as a strategic milestone that enhances the tourist experience and fosters economic collaboration between the two nations.
The roadshow schedule includes three cities in India. The first one is Chennai, where the event will take place on February 26, 2024, at The Westin Chennai Velachery. The second city is Kochi, where the event will take place on February 28, 2024, at Marriott Hotel. The last city on the Roadshow Schedule is Bangalore, where the event will take place on March 1, 2024, at The Leela Palace Bangalore.
Dubai’s tourism prowess continues to soar, with 2023 witnessing a historic milestone of 17.15 million international overnight visitors, reflecting a robust 19.4 per cent year-on-year growth. This remarkable achievement solidifies Dubai’s reputation as a global hospitality and tourism excellence leader.The UAE and India share a longstanding partnership rooted in cultural heritage, diplomatic ties, and robust trade relations. As Dubai prioritises safety, service excellence, and innovation, the Emirates remains steadfast in its commitment to welcoming Indian tourists and fostering enduring partnerships with India.
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ACI World released its annual World Airport Traffic Forecasts (WATF) 2023–2052 dataset, unveiling key insights into air travel demand and trends for the next three decades. Among the highlights, it was noted that the passenger numbers are forecasted to double by 2042 and soar to 2.5 times higher by 2052 compared to 2024 figures.
At the dawn of 2024, global passenger traffic is poised to hit 9.7 billion, surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time since COVID-19 gripped the world.
Projections indicate a steady ascent in global passenger traffic, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3 per cent from 2023 to 2042, followed by a slightly moderated growth of 3.6 per cent from 2042 to 2052.
By 2024, international passenger traffic is anticipated to approach the 4 billion mark, while domestic passenger traffic is projected to reach 5.7 billion, stated the forecast.
Looking further ahead to 2042, international passenger traffic is expected to surge to 8.7 billion, with domestic traffic hitting 10.6 billion.
The dynamics of the global passenger market are expected to undergo a notable shift, with emerging and developing economies taking the lead.
In 2023, the leading spots among the top 20 markets for total passenger traffic are held by the US, China, India, Spain, and the UK. However, by 2042 and 2052, China takes the lead, followed by the US, India, Indonesia, and Spain, reflecting a shift in global air travel dynamics over the years.
Between 2023 and 2042, these economies are projected to experience a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4 per cent, fueled by burgeoning population bases and rapid income rises.
Looking ahead to 2024, Sodhi predicts a resurgence in corporate travel, with business travellers displaying increased confidence and planning trips to foster business growth and strengthen professional relationships. Notably, major global airlines are expected to exceed pre-pandemic capacity levels, with two percent more seats offered in 2024 compared to 2019, albeit with a six percent reduction in the number of flights.
ACI‘s latest WATF provides an extended 30-year outlook, incorporating data from 141 countries, including 29 new additions. This resource offers granular forecasts for passengers, air cargo volumes, and aircraft movements at global, regional, and country levels.“The projections indicate that global passenger traffic is set to reach 9.7 billion by the end of 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, and suggest a doubling by 2042 and a 2.5-fold increase by 2052. In the long-term, the global passenger market dynamic is expected to transition from advanced economies towards emerging and developing ones as they experience significant urbanization and population increases, often combined with rapid economic growth favourably impacting their disposable income and willingness to travel,” said ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira.
“Investing responsibly in current and new infrastructure remains key to ensuring that we can sustainably meet capacity growth to maximize the social and economic benefits of aviation,” Oliveira added.
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The number of domestic tourists visiting Rajasthan has increased about 12 times in the last four years, with the footfall of foreign tourists also witnessing a sharp uptick since the Covid-induced slump. According to the Tourism Department, in 2020, more than 1.51 crore domestic tourists visited the state. The number shot up to over 17.90 crore in 2023.
A total of 32.44 crore domestic tourists visited Rajasthan from January 2020 to December 2023. On the other hand, over 22.20 lakh foreign tourists visited the desert state to witness its historical heritage during the same period.
“Rajasthan has been a major tourist attraction among the tourists. After the corona pandemic, a large number of domestic tourists have started visiting the state. The number of foreign tourists have also significantly risen,” Deputy Director of Tourism Department, Daleep Singh Rathore, said.
The freshly elected BJP government’s focus is to make the state a leader in the tourism sector in the country.
Recent visits of Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala and French President Emmanuel Macron to the state have helped Rajasthan present its image as a foreign destination of choice for overseas elites.
Erstwhile Jaipur royal family member and deputy chief minister Diya Kumari, who holds the tourism department portfolio, is actively holding meetings with foreign delegations to that purpose.
“The government is determined to transform Rajasthan into a premier tourism destination. A 100-day action agenda has been given to the department officials. A comprehensive strategy needs to be formulated and implemented,” Diya Kumari said.
She said that her plan involves collaborating with various departments to enhance the rail, road, and air connectivity to the state. Establishing quality basic infrastructure, improving hospitality services also is essential for the aim, she said.
Diya Kumari revealed the tourism numbers recently when she was asked for them by BJP MLA Kalicharan Saraf in the Rajasthan Assembly. According to her reply, nearly 18 crore domestic and 17 lakh foreign tourists came to Rajasthan in 2023.
A total of 1.51 crore domestic tourists and 4.46 lakh foreign tourists visited Rajasthan in 2020.
In 2021, 2.19 crore domestic and 34,806 foreign tourists visited the state, while in 2022, it played host to 10.83 crore domestic and 39,684 foreign tourists.
Saraf had asked for year-wise details of domestic and foreign tourist visits made in the state from January 2020 to December 2023.
The hotel association in the state has been upbeat since the French President’s visit to Jaipur, as it thinks the visit will open new doors of opportunity.
“During the corona pandemic, the number of foreign tourists dropped, while domestic tourists still came in large numbers. After the French President’s visit, new opportunities will come as French tourists used to come in large numbers before the corona pandemic,” said Jaipur hotels association President M Hussain.
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The hosting of the G20 Tourism Working Group in Jammu and Kashmir has marked a significant turning point for the region’s tourism industry. Calling it the ‘game-changer’, Syed Abid Rasheed Shah (IAS) Secretary Tourism & Culture, Govt of J&K stated that a notable surge in inbound tourist arrivals, particularly foreign tourists, has been observed after the event.
“The number of tourists visiting us from abroad this year is the highest in the last 30 years,” he told ETTravelWorld. “Our eventual goal is to become one of the world’s premier tourist destinations,” Shah continued.
The transformation of Jammu and Kashmir from an underrated tourism destination to a thriving tourism hotspot with 70-80 daily flights landing just in Kashmir today is nothing short of phenomenal. When it comes to assessing the overall resurgence of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, the numbers tell a compelling tale too. “Last year, we recorded a historic high of 1.88 crores in tourist numbers for the calendar year 2022,” said Shah, adding that this milestone is indicative of the region’s growing appeal.
“In the current calendar year, our expectations are soaring even higher. We have already exceeded last year’s foreign tourist arrivals by a significant margin,” Shah revealed.
For the remainder of the year, the numbers are expected to grow at a faster pace, he added.
Domestic tourism, too, has shown impressive resilience and growth. Abid Shah pointed out, “Our domestic arrivals this year are on track to surpass last year’s figures. We’ve experienced consistently high occupancy rates throughout the year, and this is due to the unique appeal of Jammu and Kashmir in the tourism landscape.”
While the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting, hosted in Kashmir during the India’s Presidency this year acted as a catalyst for the region’s tourism sector, Shah asserted that it also has contributed in many ways to bringing Jammu and Kashmir and its tourism to the global tourism map.
Speaking about the tourism sector’s prime importance, Shah stated that it is the backbone of J&K’s economy. It contributes about 7.4 per cent of the GSDP of J&K, giving 1 million jobs directly and indirectly. The impact, he said, extends far beyond numbers, reaching into the livelihoods of countless individuals and the broader economic landscape.
“In the next five years, we aim to elevate our tourism contribution to 10 per cent of the GSDP. Achieving this would not only catalyse the local economy but also generate millions of jobs,” he added.
Addressing the aspect of connectivity, Shah underscored the existing road and air links and the anticipation of railway connectivity in the near future, extending the existing railway network from Jammu to the Kashmir Valley. This, believes Shah, will lead to a further meteoric rise in domestic tourist numbers. However, this influx needs careful handling.
For the next year, Peru has set targets to receive at least 50 percent more tourists. To achieve the goal, its official tourism promotion board, PROMPERU, is holding a two-city roadshow in Delhi and Mumbai, engaging about 14 Peruvian companies with a minimum of 50 potential Indian travel companies in each city.
300 new destinations to be developed
The government has taken a series of policy initiatives, primarily focused on sustainability in tourism. “Given Jammu and Kashmir’s status as a Himalayan ecology and a biodiversity hotspot, we are now focused on promoting sustainable tourism by carefully addressing the carrying capacity of various destinations. Therefore, to ease off the burden on popular destinations, we have identified 75 offbeat destinations, including Wadwan, Basholi, Baraderi, Basantgarh, and more, and are working to promote them,” Shah explained.
The holistic approach extends to cultural sites and heritage preservation as well. Shah revealed that in total, about 300 new destinations are slated for development and promotion.
While proper infrastructure development in these destinations will take time, Shah remains optimistic. He predicts that, in the coming years, these policy initiatives will bear fruit, enriching both the tourism experience and the local economy. “Importantly, tourism has now officially been granted the status of an industry in Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring that those wishing to explore the benefits of the sector can access subsidies and other advantages,” he informed.
Also, the heart of these initiatives lies in the promotion of homestays, a concept that resonates well with the local socio-cultural fabric and the environmental and biodiversity elements specific to the Himalayan ecology, explained Shah. “The idea behind these is to minimise the environmental footprint while ensuring a memorable experience for tourists.”
“Also, we are keen to take tourism to the people,” Shah expressed. Homestays, he added, empowers local communities and enables rural tourism to flourish. The U/T government’s efforts in this direction received recognition, with Dawar in Gurez being rated as one of the best tourism villages in India by the Ministry of Tourism recently. This initiative encourages a vibrant, self-sustaining tourism ecosystem in remote but beautiful locales.
Involving youth in tourism
Youth involvement in the tourism sector is a top priority for Jammu & Kashmir, emphasised Shah and the government is actively crafting initiatives to engage the younger generation.
The government has selected villages for homestay development in the Union Territory that will not just boost the tourism sector but also create sustainable employment opportunities for the region’s youth. Under the initiative “Mission Youth”, announced last year, these villages will undergo a transformation, igniting their potential as tourist destinations and will thereby, add to more employment opportunities for youth.
“Our focus is on actively engaging the youth in tourism. Surprisingly, we have an astounding 69 per cent of our population below the age of 35, a demographic advantage that we are determined to leverage. Without linking them to the economic opportunities within the tourism sector, we believe we cannot achieve equitable growth, provide avenues for livelihood, self-employment, and foster opportunities for personal growth,” Shah said.
Besides, Jammu and Kashmir has also embraced the concept of centre-run Yuva tourism clubs in some of the remotest locations, such as Warwan in Kishtwar, Jammu. Recently, this initiative bore fruit with a grand festival where local entrepreneurs, young boys, and girls actively participated.
“Similar events are cropping up across the region, including in the remote enclave of Bangus in Kupwara, close to the Line of Control. These initiatives, bolstered by the support of the Government of India, will ensure that the region’s youth play a central role in shaping its tourism landscape,” he added.
Sumita Saroch, Joint Director of Marketing at Rajasthan Tourism Department attributed the destination’s increasing tourism to the effective policies of the state government and the execution of marketing strategies by the Tourism Department. The key strategies employed included airport branding at 289 locations across 18 airports throughout India, enhanced social media engagements and new campaigns.
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In a conversation with ETTravelWorld on the occasion, the Finnish Ambassador to India Kimmo Lahdevirta expressed optimism about growth of tourism between the two countries.
Noting that visa applications from India to Finland have nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, the Ambassador said he expects numbers to surpass 2019 levels next year. He cited India’s growing affluence and passport ownership as factors enabling more Indians to travel abroad.
Ambassador Lahdevirta said the average waiting time for a Finnish visa application from India is currently within two weeks. He hopes this will make Finland an attractive Schengen destination for Indian travellers seeking shorter visa processing times compared to countries like the US.
He said that tourism prospects between India and Finland are very good. “Now, of course, the pandemic caused a slump in the tourism industry as well. But now we have already reached almost the level of 2019, for example, in visa applications, and I think that’s indicative that the number of people who are travelling is increasing, I’m pretty confident that next year, we will have even bigger numbers than we had in 2019. So, I would say that the trend is very good. I think, India is becoming more and more affluent, more and more Indians actually have passports. And I think the number keeps increasing steadily all the time. And, of course, Finland is an interesting destination. And it’s not perhaps always the cheapest destination. But certainly, the interesting one. I am confident that number of Finnish tourists in India will continue to rise,” he said. Talking about challenges, the Ambassador said, “One of the challenges we have had is that India is not that well known in Finland. But I think Finland is not that well known in India either. So, we certainly want to continue the efforts to put Finland on the map of India and India on the map of Finland. So that’s that’s an ongoing project,” he mentioned.
Both countries aim to promote greater awareness about each other’s cultures and destinations, according to the Ambassador. He highlighted several top places for Indians to visit in Finland, including Helsinki, the Lake District and Lapland‘s winter landscapes.
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