National Tourism Day [25th January]: History, Significance

National Tourism Day is an annual observation held on 25th January in India. This day is about appreciating the thousands of tourists that visit our country to appreciate our culture, heritage, and food. National Tourism Day 2022 celebrations were a part of the Government of India’s massive initiative, Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

India has a booming tourism industry, with thousands of tourists coming to explore different parts of our country. National Tourism Day celebrates the spirits of travellers from around the world. We have shared information about the history and significance of this day here.

National Tourism Day 2023

National Tourism Day is a day dedicated to appreciating tourists all over the world. Tourism is an important aspect of any country’s economy. It not only boosts economic growth but also promotes the country’s culture and heritage. Indian Tourism Day is celebrated on 25th January every year.

In India, the tourism sector also accounts for 9.2% of the country's total GDP and 8.1% of employment. Find out more about National Tourism Day from the table shared below -

National Tourism Day 2023 Theme

The theme for National Tourism Day 2023 has not been determined yet. Last year, the government officiated the celebration of this day by incorporating it into the national campaign of "Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav". This campaign was organized to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India's independence.

National Tourism Day theme generally revolves around promoting India as an ideal place for tourism. National Tourism Day has the incentive to encourage people to appreciate the beauty of India and raise awareness of its influence on the Indian economy. The theme of National Tourism Day 2022 is Rural and Community Centric Tourism.

National Tourism Day: History

The history of National Tourism Day can be traced to when the Government of India declared 25th January as tourism day in India. This day was established to enhance the significance of tourism and to increase awareness of how important it is to the country's economy. Indian Tourism is celebrated enthusiastically throughout the country.

National Tourism Day is also observed to raise awareness of the social, political, economic, and cultural values that ultimately affect tourism. The Ministry of Tourism is the central authority in India to formulate national policies and is wholly responsible for the strategic growth, management, and promotion of tourism. It works with the public sector and central government agencies to promote tourism in the country.

Indian Tourism Day: Significance

India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world, rich in heritage, culture, religion, spirituality, science, and diversity. The country is famous for its rich legacy and famous attractions. National Tourism Day is celebrated nationwide to raise awareness of the growth opportunities of the tourism industry and its impact on India's economic development.

It is important to observe and promote Indian Tourism Day as the tourism industry contributes heavily to the Indian economy. Here, we have shared some facts about this day.

National Tourism Day: Interesting Facts

1. India is rich in heritage and has 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in total. The last UNESCO World Heritage Site added was Dholavira which is the city of Harappa.
2. India also has one of the highest railway bridges - the Chenab Bridge. It is 1,315 meters high, 35 meters higher than the Eiffel Tower.
3. Sikkim is an organic state of India wherein 47.3% of the state's land area is covered with forest. Pesticides, fertilizers, disposable plastics, and packaged drinking water bottles are banned.
4. The Sentinelese are a tribe, who live on Sentinel Island in India, and have been demarcated from the rest of the world.
5. Himachal Pradesh's Kangra Fort is the oldest in the country.

Indian Tourism Day: Tourism Statistics

National Tourism Day is celebrated on 25th January which aims to foster and create awareness in society around the world about the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, historical, political, economic, and heritage values. Every year, thousands of tourists come to India to visit the many adventurous and breathtaking places the country has to offer.

National Tourism Day is about celebrating the spirit of tourists and encouraging tourism further in the country. Here, we have share some statistics about tourism in the country.

• Maharashtra tops the charts and enjoys the maximum number of tourists wherein more than 5 lakh foreigners visit the state.
• Tamil Nadu is the second-largest tourism industry after Maharashtra, with more than 4 lakh tourists.
• Uttar Pradesh comes third and Delhi stands fourth in the state ranking for garnering maximum tourism in India
• As per the annual report generated by the World Travel and Tourism Council, India's tourism sector generates US $220 billion annually.
• The tourism sector in India also accounts for 9.2% of the country's total GDP and 8.1% of total employment.
• Moreover, medical tourism in India is growing by leaps and bounds and has reached 3 billion USD and is further forecasted to grow in the coming years.

FAQs on National Tourism Day

Q.1. When do we celebrate National Tourism Day?

National Tourism Day is celebrated every year on 25th January. The day is celebrated with much enthusiasm throughout the country. National Tourism Day is about encouraging tourism further in the country and making people realize its economic and social importance.

Q.2. What was the theme of National Tourism Day 2022?

National Tourism Day theme 2022 was “Rethinking Tourism”. This theme was about making the most out of tourism opportunities in a country. National Tourism Day is celebrated every year on 25th January in India to promote tourism in the country.

Q.3. Why do we celebrate National Tourism Day?

National Tourism Day is celebrated on 25th January to raise awareness of the importance of tourism and its impact on the economy. This day is about celebrating tourists from around the world who come to explore the culture, and heritage of our country.

Q.4. How is National Tourism Day in India celebrated?

National Tourism Day is celebrated by spreading awareness about the importance of the tourism sector in the Indian economy. On this day, people are encouraged to travel more and explore the different parts of our country to understand the heritage and history of India.