Category Archives: MOT

Addressing a press conference, Prataprao Jadhav, Union MoS (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush, GoI, said India is expanding Ayush outreach globally through dedicated Ayush visas and attracted nearly 45,000–46,000 foreign patients last year. Many also arrive on regular travel visas for treatment. To support growing demand, the ministry is increasing Ayush health centres at major tourist destinations, strengthening India’s medical and wellness tourism appeal.

The Ministry of External Affairs has sought assurance from China that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be “selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained, or harassed” and that Beijing will “respect” regulations governing international air travel. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also issued a travel advisory warning Indians travelling to, or transiting through China to exercise due discretion.

Referring to Assam’s inclusion in the New York Times’ ‘52 Places to Go in 2025’, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Tourism Minister, Government of India, said it’s a proof of growing global interest in the region. Under schemes like Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD, projects worth ₹3,000 crore have been approved for the Northeast to build new circuits, revive heritage sites, enhance connectivity, and world-class tourism experiences, he said.

Addressing the 13th International Tourism Mart virtually, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Tourism Minister, said the Northeast has undergone a major transformation with huge investments in airports, highways, railways and digital connectivity under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Air traffic has surged from 9.8 million passengers in 2019 to 11.2 million in 2024, the highest ever for the region.

Srivatsa Krishna, IAS (1994 Karnataka cadre), has been appointed as the new Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, taking over from V. Vidyavathi, IAS. A topper of the 1994 IAS batch, Krishna brings with him a distinguished record across governance, policy, and global institutions. Before assuming this role, Krishna served in several key leadership positions in Karnataka, including Secretary – Commerce & Industry, Chairman – Urban Administration and Development, Secretary – E-Governance, and Secretary of the Department of IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology. He has also served as Director of IIT Madras and IIM Bangalore, and as Chief Executive Officer & Secretary of the Coffee Board of India. Krishna’s global experience includes working as Group Program Manager at the World Bank Group in Washington D.C., contributing to strategy, finance, and risk management. He was part of the pioneering team that advanced India’s e-governance movement and helped shape Cyberabad as an emerging technology hub. Armed with a PhD and an MBA from Harvard Business School, Srivatsa Krishna’s appointment signals a strong administrative and strategic push for India’s tourism sector as it looks toward accelerated growth and global competitiveness.

To showcase the tourism potential of the Northeast to the world, Sikkim is set to host the 13th International Tourism Mart (ITM) from November 13 to 16 at Gangtok. The event will be inaugurated by Prem Singh Tamang, Chief Minister, Sikkim, in the presence of Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Tourism & Culture and Pema Khandu, Chief Minister, Arunachal Pradesh, along with Tourism Ministers from all North Eastern States and senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism and State Governments. The annual flagship event aims to showcase the tourism potential of the North Eastern Region to domestic and international stakeholders. The Mart provides a platform to promote the Northeast’s rich natural beauty, vibrant cultural heritage, and adventure tourism opportunities while encouraging sustainable and inclusive growth in tourism. Aligned with the Ministry of Tourism’s “Travel for Life” initiative, the 13th ITM 2025 in Gangtok will highlight eco-tourism, wellness, culture, and adventure as its core themes, underscoring Sikkim’s role as a torchbearer for sustainable tourism practices in India. This year’s ITM will welcome representatives from 19 countries, including Spain, Thailand, France, Russia, Germany, and Vietnam. The event will feature 39 international tour operators, 5 international influencers, 50 domestic buyers, 20 domestic influencers, and 91 domestic sellers, fostering meaningful B2B interactions and global partnerships. A series of technical sessions, panel discussions, and product presentations will explore emerging opportunities in cinematic tourism, homestays, youth entrepreneurship, digital innovation, sustainability, and adventure tourism. The event aims to strengthen networks among domestic and international stakeholders, encouraging investment and cooperation in the Northeast’s tourism sector. It serves as a testament to the government’s commitment to transforming the Northeast into a global tourism hub.

Speaking about ITDC strengthening its market presence with its Q2 financial results, Mugdha Sinha, IAS, Managing Director, ITDC, said, “Our Q2 outcomes demonstrate the continued success of our efforts to add value to our bouquet of services while preserving the rich legacy and trust associated with ITDC. We are expanding tech and data-enabled transformation, improving customer experiences and building long-term travel-tourism-hospitality solutions that support India’s growth story.” She added, “Our objective remains clear — to deliver consistent value and strive to enhance ITDC’s contribution to India’s Tourism landscape.” During Q2 2025, ITDC achieved a turnover of ₹124.17 crore, with Profit Before Tax (PBT) at ₹24 crore.

India recorded its highest foreign tourist arrival (FTA) growth from Somalia, with a 144% surge between 2019 and 2024, according to Ministry of Tourism data. Somalia’s arrivals rose from 5,044 in 2019 to 12,320 in 2024, marking the only triple-digit growth. The other top growth markets included Cambodia (81%), Kazakhstan (72%), Vietnam (61%), and Bhutan (47%).

Nearly 18 states have now given industry status to tourism and hospitality, revealed Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Tourism and Culture. “The Ministry has also shared a draft of national tourism policy with all states. We discussed the policies of all states that adopted the best practices, made a draft policy on that basis, and shared it on Tourism Day. We are working to give incentives to all states in the hospitality sector and for new hotel investments.”

Suman Billa, Additional Secretary & DG Tourism, GoI, revealed that the Ministry of Tourism will soon launch a revamped global promotion and marketing plan to strengthen inbound tourism. The strategy targets key source markets with focused promotions, collaborations with global brands and influencers, and enhanced synergy with states under the unified Incredible India brand, alongside a renewed push for MICE tourism.