Tourism can contribute in generating permanent employment opportunities: Prez

New Delhi, Sept 27: President Ram Nath Kovind today said the tourism industry can contribute significantly in generating permanent employment opportunities and eliminating poverty in the country. Speaking at a function, where he presented the National Tourism Awards, the President said, 'Tourism industry contributes 10.2 per cent of the world's GDP. It is estimated that every 10th person in the world works in the tourism industry. In India too the livelihood of a very large number of people is linked to the tourism industry. In the year 2016, tourism’s contribution to GDP was 9.6 per cent and 9.3 per cent to total employment. "The tourism industry can contribute significantly in generating permanent employment opportunities and eliminating poverty. According to an assessment, an investment of Rs. 10 lakh in tourism industry provides employment to about 90 people, while about 45 in agriculture, and about 13 people in manufacturing.' The President said inclusive tourism development can strengthen inclusive economic development. 'Every citizen should strive to provide a good experience to tourists at his or her own level. In a tourism conscious society, the role of the government is only to provide direction and a facilitating environment.' He said people from all walks of life must work together to ensure development of the tourism sector in the country. In this context, the initiative taken by the civil aviation ministry to connect small towns with air travel would encourage tourism in those cities. He said that improving the quality and reach of the railway service would also help provide a boost to the development of tourism. The President said 'Adopt a Heritage Project' which was launched today, with the efforts of the Tourism Ministry, Culture Ministry and Archaeological Survey of India, has a great potential to make our rich and diverse heritage monuments, tourist-friendly. He expressed hope that this project would help in the maintenance of the heritage with a partnership of the public and private sectors. Recognising the role played by Adi Shankracharya, Lor Mahavira and Lord Buddha in boosting tourism in India, Mr Kovind said, 'People in India have been travelling to areas far from their birth places since ancient times. Religion and culture systematized this tourism. It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya contributed in building of Kedarnath and Badrinath temples. Adi Shankracharya, who wove this country in one threat- from Tamil Nadu to Uttarakhand and from Gujarat to Odisha-was not only a spiritual figure, but also a nation builder. In this way he laid the foundations of unity of the country. "Earlier, Lord Mahavir and Lord Buddha built our society on the basis of ideals of non-violence, compassion and knowledge. Their followers developed places of worship and educational institutions in many countries including India. This led to establishment of many centres of tourism in ancient India.' The President said during the last three years, the government has made available the facility of 'Visa on arrival' to tourists from more than one hundred countries. 'This has increased the number of foreign tourists to the country.' UNI