Mon Jun 02 21:50:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allocate ₹1,000 crore to the ‘Incredible India’ campaign and establish an ‘India Tourism Board’ under his leadership. This is aimed at boosting foreign tourist arrivals (FTA) which, despite post-pandemic recovery, remain below 2019 levels. IATO emphasizes inbound tourism’s significance as a foreign exchange earner and calls for simplified visa processes, incentives for international airlines, and improved air connectivity to smaller cities to attract more tourists.

**News Article:**

**Indian Tour Operators Urge Modi to Boost Tourism with ₹1,000 Crore Investment**

**NEW DELHI, June 3, 2025** – The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a substantial investment in the country’s tourism sector. In a letter released today, the IATO requested an immediate budgetary allocation of ₹1,000 crore under the ‘Incredible India’ campaign and the creation of an ‘India Tourism Board’ directly overseen by the Prime Minister.

The IATO, the leading national body for inbound tour operators, highlights that while foreign tourist arrivals (FTA) have rebounded post-pandemic, they have yet to reach pre-pandemic levels. In 2023, India saw 9.52 million foreign tourists, still shy of the 10.93 million recorded in 2019.

“Inbound tourism is a crucial source of foreign exchange, contributes to soft diplomacy, and generates employment,” said Ravi Gosain, President of IATO. “India, with its rich natural beauty, is performing below its potential.”

The IATO proposes several measures to enhance FTA numbers, including simplified visa procedures, expanded e-Visa options, fast-tracked group tourist visas, and potential visa fee waivers for select countries. The association also advocates for incentivizing international airlines and air charters to improve air connectivity, particularly to tier-2 and tier-3 destinations.

“These actions are needed to capitalize on the upcoming tourist season and significantly boost inbound tourism,” the IATO stated in its letter. The organization argues that tourism exports are especially valuable in the face of global trade disruptions, providing a stable and sustainable source of foreign exchange.

Read More