National Tourism Day 2023: History And Importance

National Tourism Day falls on the 25th of January 2023. Every year, National Tourism Day is celebrated on the same date and it is observed to recognize India’s natural beauty and increase awareness about the importance of tourism for the Indian economy.

India is one of the most preferred tourist destinations for travelers across the world, tourism plays an integral role in the country’s culture as well as economy. India presents a slew of options for its visitors ranging from eco-tourism, cruises, sports, business, rural, educational and medical travel.

History Of National Tourism Day

Since the 1980s, several countries around the globe have been celebrating World Tourism Day on September 27th. It was the United Nations World Tourism Organization that established World Tourism Day.

However, when it comes to National Tourism Day, each country celebrates the occasion on different dates, and in India, it is January 25th.

As per reports, National Tourism Day was celebrated for the first time by the Indian government in 1948 and a tourist committee was set up for this purpose. It was launched with the aim of protecting national heritage and building tourist attractions across the country.

Delhi was the first headquarters for the event, but later it was shifted to Mumbai. Three years later, in 1951, two more offices of the committee were set up in Chennai (then Madras) and Kolkata (then Calcutta). 

National Tourism Day 2022

In 2022, the National Tourism Day in India was observed as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, an initiative launched by the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of the country’s independence and the glorious past of its people, culture, and achievements.

The theme for 2022’s National Tourism Day was Rural and Community-Centric Tourism. As part of the celebration, several activities were launched such as ‘Unseen India’ – 75 lesser-known sites in the country and ‘Dekho Apna Desh’, a pledge for exploring at least 15 locations across the nation by 2022.

A poster design contest, picture quiz, and caller tune contest were also conducted in connection with National Tourism Day 2022.

The Theme For National Tourism Day 2023

The Central Government is yet to announce the theme for National Tourism Day 2023.     

Department Of Tourism

It was in 1998 that the Department of Tourism was created under the Ministry of Tourism and Communications. In India, the Ministry of Tourism is the nodal agency responsible for framing national policies for the promotion and development of tourism.

This is done in coordination with central, state agencies and the public sector. On the occasion of National Tourism Day, several seminars, cultural events, and other programs are organized by the Centre. In their respective regions, each state also conducts programs to promote tourism.

Conclusion

Since the outbreak of Covid-19, the tourism industry has been witnessing a lull for the last 3 years. It is expected that both inbound and outbound tourism will witness a strong comeback in the years to come.

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