*Goal: India to Rank Among the Top Ten in the Global Tourism Index, Contribute 10% to GDP
*National Conference on “One State – One Global Tourism Destination” Begins
*Tourism Ministers from All States Presented Their Proposals
TTT NEWS NETWORK
UDAIPUR | 18 OCTOBER 2025
In the picturesque city of lakes and natural beauty — Udaipur — the two-day National Tourism Conference began on Tuesday under the aegis of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. The grand inaugural ceremony was held at Hotel Marriott in the presence of Union Tourism Minister Mr. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Mr. Gulab Chand Kataria, Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Diya Kumari, along with Lieutenant Governors and Tourism Ministers from various States and Union Territories.
The conference marks the initial stage in realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “One State – One Global Tourism Destination”, where tourism ministers from different states gave presentations on the potential and proposals for developing global destinations within their regions.
Tourism Secretary Stressed the Need to Identify and Overcome Gaps
At the outset, Tourism Secretary Ms. V. Vidyavathi welcomed all guests and noted that India possesses all the essential elements of a global destination. However, to achieve the desired growth in tourism, existing gaps need to be identified and bridged. She mentioned that as per the Prime Minister’s directives, all states were recently asked to prepare proposals to develop 50 new global tourism destinations. This conference, she said, will play a crucial role in shaping the new roadmap for India’s tourism development.
Deputy CM Diya Kumari Expressed Gratitude for Choosing Rajasthan
Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari thanked Union Minister Shekhawat for selecting Rajasthan as the host state and warmly welcomed all delegates. She said, “Every fort and palace here tells its own story. Rajasthan’s glorious history, colorful heritage, art, and culture hold a unique place globally.”
She emphasized that Rajasthan is an iconic tourism destination worldwide and under Prime Minister Modi’s vision, the state is rapidly working to become a leading global tourism destination. She added that since Mr. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat himself hails from Rajasthan, the state naturally benefits from his continuous support and guidance.
“Healthy Competition in Tourism Development Marks the Start of Goal Achievement” — Mr. Shekhawat:
In his inaugural address, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that while Udaipur is undoubtedly a beautiful destination, it is also a significant part of India’s great historical heritage. He observed that earlier, tourism development lacked the necessary effort, but now there is healthy competition among states, marking the beginning of achieving global tourism goals.
He stressed that each state should develop at least one global-level tourism destination, in line with the Prime Minister’s vision.
Highlighting India’s strong recovery post-COVID, Shekhawat said that India is among the leading nations reviving its tourism sector. In 2024 alone, 20 million foreign tourists visited India, while domestic tourism also grew rapidly.
Currently, India ranks 39th on the World Tourism Index (WTI). He explained that about 18–20% of WTI parameters are controlled by the central government, while the rest depend on state-level efforts. Therefore, states must take active and serious initiatives.
He added that India’s target is to reach the Top 10 in the WTI and increase tourism’s contribution to GDP from 5–6% to 10%. To achieve this, global-standard tourism destinations must be developed to meet international expectations.
Shekhawat also pointed out that outbound travel by Indian tourists has increased in recent years, so it is equally important to encourage domestic travelers to “Explore India First, Then Abroad.”
“Mewar Is Blessed by Ancestors and Nature” — Mr. Kataria:
Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria expressed gratitude for hosting the conference in Udaipur and welcomed all delegates. He said, “Mewar is blessed by both its ancestors and nature. It has a glorious history and played a key role in India’s struggle for freedom. Nature has gifted it with lakes and green hills, and it also holds great religious importance.”
He invited all participating tourism ministers and officials to explore Udaipur and its nearby destinations and to share suggestions for further tourism development.
Rajasthan’s Presentation Showcased Valor, Culture, and Spirituality:
On the first day of the conference, various states and union territories, including Rajasthan Tourism, gave detailed presentations. Each shared information about their proposed global tourism destinations, their connectivity, planned development projects, and expected outcomes through PowerPoint presentations.
Representing Rajasthan, Tourism Secretary Mr. Rajesh Yadav and Tourism Commissioner Smt. Rukmani Riar presented the concept of the “Triveni of Valor, Culture, and Spirituality”, proposing to develop the following as global destinations:
- Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit (Udaipur)
- Jaisalmer
- Pushkar
Other states — including Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi (NCT), Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Gujarat, and Maharashtra — also presented their proposals.
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