World Tourism Day 2026

• World Tourism Day 2026, to be observed on 27 September under the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”, highlights the role of technology in shaping the future of tourism. 
• In India, the sector is emerging as an important contributor to economic growth, employment, and livelihoods, contributing 5.22% to GDP and supporting 8.46 crore jobs in 2023-24. 
• Domestic Tourist Visits reached 428.55 crore in 2025, while Foreign Tourist Visits rose to 2.53 crore and foreign exchange earnings from tourism increased to ₹2,76,831 crore. 
• India is also strengthening its digital tourism ecosystem through e-Visa, the Incredible India Digital Platform and NIDHI+, with AI enabling more personalised and seamless travel experiences. 
• Alongside digital innovation, initiatives such as Swadesh Darshan 2.0, PRASHAD, cruise tourism and tourism skill development are expanding destinations, improving visitor experiences and creating livelihood opportunities.
• World Tourism Day is an initiative of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). It commemorates the adoption of the UNWTO statutes in 1970. First celebrated in 1980, the day highlights the contribution of tourism to socio-economic development and its role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Government Initiatives to Boost Tourism:

• Swadesh Darshan was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in 2014–15 to develop tourism circuits around identified themes across the country. 
• Under the scheme, the ministry has sanctioned 76 projects with an investment of over ₹5,295.24 crore across 15 thematic tourist circuits. Of these, 75 projects have been physically completed. The programme has developed infrastructure across the Buddhist, Coastal, Desert, Eco, Himalayan, North East, Ramayana, Rural, Spiritual, Tribal and other thematic circuits.
• Building on this, Swadesh Darshan 2.0 adopts a destination-centric approach, focusing on sustainable and experience-based tourism. 53 projects, worth ₹2,207.08 crore, have been sanctioned to develop destinations through better planning, infrastructure, and visitor experience.

• The Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD) initiative is a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0. It focuses on undertaking the holistic development of tourist destinations, enhancing visitor experiences, and promoting sustainable and responsible tourism.
• So far, 37 projects worth ₹687.99 crore have been sanctioned for destinations with high tourism potential, covering spiritual and eco-tourism categories.

• The Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) was launched in 2014-2015 to develop tourism infrastructure at identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations. The scheme provides financial assistance to States and Union Territories for integrated development of these destinations, with interventions focused on visitor facilities, accessibility, cleanliness, safety, and local livelihoods.
• Since the launch of the scheme, the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned 54 projects worth ₹1,726.18 crore under PRASHAD. The scheme has supported interventions such as tourist facilitation centres, sound and light shows, parking facilities, ghats, solid waste management systems, solar panels and CCTV installations to improve the visitor experience, sustainability and safety at pilgrimage destinations.

• The SASCI scheme for tourism supports the development of iconic tourist destinations to global standards. It focuses on better tourism infrastructure, connectivity and visitor facilities. The scheme also seeks to create employment and support local economic growth. Under the scheme, 40 projects across 23 States have been approved. The scheme received ₹3,295.76 crore in FY 2024–25, with 100% Central funding.
• For FY 2025–26, the amended guidelines allow eligible States that did not avail funds under Part III of SASCI 2024–25 to receive up to ₹250 crore for tourism projects under Part II. Under these provisions, ₹250 crore each has been sanctioned and released to Nagaland, Mizoram, and Himachal Pradesh for tourism projects.