Addressing delegates as the Guest of Honour, at SATTE’s 33rd edition, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, Government of India, underscored the strategic evolution of India’s travel and tourism sector.
“A journey of 33 years, SATTE has not merely organised exhibitions; it has shaped conversations, built partnerships and expanded the horizons of tourism in India and the South Asia-Pacific region,” he said.
Positioning tourism as a central pillar of India’s growth story, the Minister noted that the global travel landscape is undergoing profound transformation. Today’s travellers are no longer seeking destinations alone, but stories, authenticity, culture, wellness, nature and meaningful human connections.
“And when the world searches for experiences, it inevitably discovers India — a civilisation of thousands of years, a nation of living traditions, and an economy of rising opportunity. India represents not just diversity of geography, but diversity of experiences,” he stated.
From spiritual circuits and heritage cities to adventure tourism and world-class convention infrastructure, India offers scale and diversity unmatched globally. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, tourism has moved from the margins of policy discourse to the centre of national development planning.
Tourism as an Economic Multiplier
The Minister highlighted tourism’s catalytic role in inclusive growth. Tourism generates livelihoods across the value chain — from guides and artisans to drivers, homestay operators and young entrepreneurs. It strengthens local economies, builds cultural confidence and democratises development. As such, the sector is integral to India’s long-term vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047.” India’s tourism growth is backed by clear policy direction and unprecedented infrastructure expansion. Through initiatives such as Swadesh Darshan 2.0, the government is developing sustainable destinations rooted in local culture and ecology, shifting toward a more responsible and community-driven tourism model.
Spiritual Tourism: Scale and Transformation
Spiritual and pilgrimage tourism has emerged as a major growth driver. Under the PRASAD scheme and large-scale redevelopment projects in cities such as Varanasi (Kashi) and Ujjain (Mahakaal Lok), pilgrimage destinations have undergone significant infrastructure transformation, enhancing visitor experience and global appeal.
The Minister cited Ayodhya as an example, recording approximately 70 million visitors last year alone at a single destination. Ujjain’s Mahakaal Temple has similarly witnessed exponential growth in footfall, reflecting the scale and velocity of India’s domestic spiritual tourism surge. “Spiritual tourism in India is becoming a global phenomenon,” he observed.
Domestic Tourism: The Resilience Engine
India’s domestic tourism market continues to demonstrate exceptional resilience and scale. Through the Dekho Apna Desh campaign, Indians are rediscovering domestic destinations, driving unprecedented travel volumes and creating economic momentum in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. This strong domestic base has positioned India among the most resilient tourism markets globally.
Infrastructure upgrades — including modernised airports, expanded highways, upgraded rail networks and enhanced regional air connectivity under the UDAN scheme — are integrating previously underexplored destinations into mainstream tourism circuits.
At the same time, large-scale convention and exhibition infrastructure such as Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi is reinforcing India’s ambition to become a global hub for MICE, exhibitions and mega events.
“An Opportunity Called India”
Referring to SATTE’s theme, “An Opportunity Called India,” the Minister emphasised that the proposition is not aspirational, but grounded in economic reality. India remains among the fastest-growing major economies, supported by a young demographic profile, a rapidly expanding middle class, robust digital public infrastructure and stable policy frameworks. Tourism and hospitality allow 100% Foreign Direct Investment under the automatic route. State governments are actively partnering with investors through progressive tourism policies, land facilitation and single-window clearances.
Investment opportunities span:
- Destination resorts and heritage properties
- Eco and rural tourism
- Cruise tourism
- Medical and wellness tourism
- Wildlife and adventure tourism
- Cultural and gastronomy tourism
- MICE infrastructure and experiential products
“The coming decade will belong to nations that successfully combine culture with commerce. India is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation,” he said.
Integrating Culture with Global Value Chains
By connecting international buyers with Indian tourism service providers, platforms like SATTE strengthen tourism exports and integrate India more deeply into global travel value chains. India’s civilisational depth remains its strongest differentiator.
“Our monuments are not relics of the past — they are living narratives. Our festivals are not only events — they are immersive experiences. Our crafts, cuisine, music and traditions create enduring emotional connections with travellers.”
Through museum modernisation, heritage conservation, digital archiving and cultural revitalisation, the government aims to expand India’s experience-led tourism ecosystem.
Looking ahead, the Minister identified five defining pillars for Indian tourism: sustainability, technology integration, skill development, innovation and community participation.
“Our objective is simple — growth that benefits people, protects the planet and positions India as a responsible tourism leader.”
Tourism as a Bridge Builder
Concluding his address, the Minister invited global stakeholders to view India not only as a destination, but as a long-term partner.“India welcomes you not only as visitors, but as collaborators in growth. Tourism builds bridges where borders cannot.” For entrepreneurs and investors, he added, this is India’s tourism decade — and the opportunity is unfolding now.
