COVID-19 pandemic has brought a 360-degree change in the outlook of the Indian Tourism Ministry towards China. If the major focus of India’s Tourism Ministry in the pre-COVID period was how to lure Chinese outbound tourists to India, in the post-COVID time it will be how to divert international tourists who were earlier travelling to China into India.

This change in mindset in the ministry was evident when Prahlad Singh Patel, Union Minister (I/C) of Tourism & Culture said in a recent webinar that he has directed ministry officials to compile the data of Chinese inbound tourism and the countries which contribute to Chinese inbound tourism.

As per 2019 statistics, the Chinese made around 166 million outbound trips. India received hardly 3 lakh Chinese tourists. At the same time, China received over 62 million overnight foreign tourists.

Participating in a virtual meet organised by Voice Of India Travel (VOIT) couple of days back, the Union Minister said that in the changed scenario it is not clear whether the Government of India will be wanting more Chinese tourists into India. He obliquely said that the government will not be that eager to give permission to Chinese tourists now. On the other hand, the minister said that Indian tourism should try and tap into the 65 million foreign tourists going into China. Patel said that he has asked the Ministry officials to collect the data of countries so that Indian tourism can plan media and publicity strategy in those markets accordingly.

He said that Indian tourism is poised for a faster recovery and growth in tourism leveraging the perception shift that has come in the world towards India after the pandemic. ‘We are committed to double the foreign tourist arrivals into India by 2024,’ he said. The Indian way of life, Indian healing and healthcare methods, wellness, the concept of ‘vasudaiva kutumbakam’ demonstrated by extending a helping hand to the world when in trouble, etc. will make Incredible India a preferred destination for people around the world post-COVID, the Minister said.

The minister said that he has asked the Civil Aviation Ministry to identify ‘Green Airports’ and open them for domestic tourism. ‘Initial boost for tourism will come from Domestic tourism, the Minister said, adding the ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ campaign of the government is intended at promoting domestic travel.