Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions Amidst the countless ways that India can capture world attention as a tourist paradise, there also exists a dynamic business opportunity as a splendid venue for international conferences and conventions of no less than global standards. India is undoubtedly a unique Conference Destination as it offers cultural and heritage sites, the exotic and mystical, excellent facilities of beach and adventure holidays which can be combined as pre and post conference tours.
The Ministry of Tourism has the specific agenda to promote tourism in the country in a responsible and sustainable manner and as per this mandate promotion of ecotourism assumes larger importance. Eco-Tourism has been broadly defined as tourism which is ecologically sustainable. The concept of ecological sustainability subsumes the environmental carrying capacity of a given area. Our plethora of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks such as Kanha, Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh, Kaziranga, Bandipur, Nagarhole, Jim Corbett are on-going strong attractions on a global level at large which can be showcased and developed further in an ecologically sustainable manner.
India is emerging as a premiere Medical & wellness Tourism Destination.This sector is growing at the rate of 24% every year. Several steps have been taken to promote India as a Medical and Wellness tourism destination. The number of medical visas issued in 2015 increased by 77% compared to 2014. Between January-June 2016, 96,856 Medical Visas were issued highlighting the continued growth in this space. A National Medical & Wellness Tourism Board, was constituted on October 5, 2015 to help foreign tourists get better access to Indian healthcare. The Board works as an umbrella organization that governs and promotes this segment of tourism in an organized manner. Special Visas are being offered for Yoga trainings etc.
With 35 World Heritage sites India has a truly remarkable history and heritage. Every state has archaeological treasures to offer – from Mehrangarh fort in the west to the Sun Temple of Konark in the east past the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra, Jaipur to the ruins of Hampi and the prehistoric Eddakal caves in Wayanad Kerala and the Ajanta and Ellora – the list is truly endless.
Development of Rural Tourism has been a focus area under Ministry of Tourism. The Rural Tourism Circuit has been identified as one of the thirteen thematic circuits for development under the Swadesh Darshan scheme. The Ministry of Tourism promotes Rural Tourism with an aim to showcase rural life, art, culture and heritage in villages, which have core competence in art and craft, handloom, textiles, natural environment etc.
With more than 73% Himaalayas in india and exotic hills in North East, Adventure tourism is rapidly growing in popularity as a tourist seeks different kinds of vacations. As per the policy for the diversification of tourism product of India, special attention is being given for the development of Adventure Tourism in the country. The Ministry of Tourism has also issued Guidelines for Approval of Adventure Tour Operators, which is a voluntary scheme, open to all bonafide adventure tour operators.
Golf Tourism is aimed at attracting high end tourists to the country and increasing foreign exchange earnings. India Golf Tourism Committee (IGTC) was constituted in 2015 to function as a nodal body for golf tourism in the country. Ministry of Tourism extends financial assistance for organization of Golf events to promote Golf Tourism.
India is the land of Buddha The Core Buddhist circuit of Bodh Gaya, Nalanda, Sarnath, Kushinagar are on the radar of international tourists. Our sacred sites and places of pilgrimage and religious significance such as Varanasi, Tirupati, Kamakhya, the Char Dham, Hemkunth Sahib, Pushkar,Ajmer Sharif and Maha Kumbh attract tourists from the world over.
Cruise Tourism is aimed at leveraging the country's topography in terms of limpid coastlines, rivers and estuaries. A Cruise Shipping' is one of the most dynamic and fastest growing components of the leisure industry worldwide. It is fast emerging as a new marketable product. India with its vast and beautiful coastline covering 7500 kms, virgin forests and undisturbed idyllic islands, rich historical and cultural heritage, can be a fabulous tourist destination for cruise tourists. With the Indian economy developing at a steady pace, middle class growing in number and increasingly possessing disposal incomes which could be spent on leisure activities, Indians could also take on cruise shipping in a big way. The Ministry of Tourism has included promotion of Cruise Shipping under its "New initiatives". To kick-start international cruise tourism in India the government has identified Goa (Mormugao), Mumbai and Kochi as possible ports of call for global cruise lines, the industry is expected to take off in the country soon. Cochin, Goa, Mangalore, Mumbai, Kerela Backwaters, Sundarbans are some of the best cruise destinations in India.
India has taken steps to promote Cinematic tourism as an important niche tourism product in the country. India has unparalleled scenic beauty and location shooting destinations throughout the country. Among the several initiatives as proposed by the Government, for promoting Cinematic Tourism, various incentives are given to shoot films.
India has a liberal E-Tourist Visa regime with 150 countries like UK, USA, Japan, Germany, Greece, Mexico, Netherlands, Thailand, Switzerland covered under this facility. Getting an E-Tourist visa to come to India is just a click away.