The tourism outlook for India is extremely positive. This sense of optimism is based mainly on the key trend of the growth in Foreign Tourist Arrivals since June 2014. The comprehensive and integrated efforts by the Government and the private sector have produced significant outcomes. 

Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during the period January-September 2014 were 5.17 million with a growth of 7.6%, as compared to the FTAs of 4.81 million with a growth of 5.4% during January-September 2013 over the corresponding period of 2012. There has been a growth of 9.2% in September 2014 over September 2013 as compared to a growth of 10.2% registered in September 2013 over September 2012. 

The Ministry of Tourism's key initiatives cover areas such as infrastructure development, publicity, promotion and marketing, skill development, development of niche tourism products, use of technology for service delivery and the promotion of safe and honourable tourism. 

India has a rich and diverse natural, cultural and religious heritage, including 32 World Heritage Sites of historic monuments and natural wonders, which provide the country with a unique opportunity for tourism development. Ranging from the prehistoric Vedic period to the Mughal times, the architecture of India's temples, palaces and forts, the grandeur of its sculptures and rock-cut buildings and the beauty of its paintings offer a unique experience. Popular destinations with international tourists include the desert circuit in Rajasthan, the snow-bound Himalayas, the back waters of Kerala and the beaches of Goa. 

The Ministry of Tourism has taken the initiative of identifying and promoting upcoming, niche products of the tourism industry, in order to overcome the aspect of 'seasonality' and promote India as an all-year round destination, looking into attracting tourists with specific interests and ensuring repeat visits for tourism products in which India has a comparative advantage. Such niche products include Rural Tourism, Wellness, Medical, Adventure, Golf and MICE Tourism. 

Adventure Tourism opportunities in India are innumerable including activities ranging from the Himalayan ranges, the Wildlife Parks and Sanctuaries, the rivers, oceans and other natural sites of the country. The Himalayas are a major tourism product of the country, promoted aggressively as a destination for adventure tourism, wildlife and indigenous culture and heritage, through the '777 Days of Incredible Indian Himalayas' campaign. 

The Ministry of Tourism is under the process of having its promotional website www.incredibleindia.org translated into the following languages: Arabic, Chinese (simplified), French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Spanish languages. Other IT related initiatives include availability of guided, multimedia and interactive walking tours and development of an automated holiday planner.

At the same time, India is taking various steps to liberalise its visa regime:

• The introduction of Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVOA) facility to citizens of 12 countries viz. Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Myanmar and South Korea, visiting India for tourism purposes, was one such decision. The total number of TVOAs issued has recorded a growth of 26.2% in 2013 as compared to the previous year. The Visa on Arrival facility is now available at eight airports in the country

• Foreign tourists in groups of four or more arriving by air or sea and sponsored by Indian travel agencies approved by the Ministry of Tourism and with a pre-drawn itinerary, are granted Collective Landing Permits for a period not exceeding 60 days, with multiple entry facilities to enable them to visit neighbouring countries 

• The provisions relating to the two month gap between two visits of a foreign national to India has been lifted

• A proposal for visa relaxation for some other countries is also under active consideration

For further details on Incredible India visit www.incredibleindia.org.

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