Express Message Service
NEW DELHI: Concerned about the country’s low ranking in the Global Travel and Tourism Index (TTDI) over the years, the Ministry of Tourism will launch an exercise to conduct a gap analysis and identify the key areas where India is lagging behind. During the process it will also identify and develop indicator-based action plans. For this purpose, the establishment of a project monitoring unit (PMU) is planned. The department will also communicate and follow up with affected ministries or departments to ensure performance improvement at TTDI.
According to the officials, in addition to overseeing TTDI, the PMU will guide, assist and assist in the assessment of tourist destinations under NITI Aayog’s mandates. Supporting various research studies to be carried out on behalf of the Ministry and follow-up will also be the task profile of the proposed entity. The department will prepare medium-term or short-term action plans and interventions, with a focus on improving India’s ranking in the 2023 index. It will also draw up a long-term action plan aimed at improving the ranking in 2025.
TTDI, a biennial travel and tourism study, is a flagship index of the World Economic Forum. It serves as a strategic benchmarking tool for policymakers, businesses and complementary sectors to drive the future development of the travel and tourism sector by providing unique insights into the strengths and areas of development of each country or economy.
India slipped from 46th in 2019 to 54th in the TTDI 2021 released in May. Japan took first place in the table, followed by the United States (US), Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, UK, Singapore and Italy in the top 10.
India is reportedly ranked 33rd in better air infrastructure and 28th in port infrastructure. It ranks 51st in international openness, 14th in natural resources and 8th in cultural resources. India has improved in many areas such as business environment, of general T&T policy, framework conditions, infrastructure and information and communication technology.
The ministry has prompted bids from empaneled agencies to set up the unit. The unit is to provide status/analysis reports on the progress of work on each index, which is required for monthly meetings of the Sector Group of Secretaries and for other meetings related to improving the performance of India’s ranking as required, he told ministry officials .
Project Monitoring Unit of the Ministry
During the process it will also identify and develop indicator-based action plans. For this purpose, the establishment of a project monitoring body is planned. The department will also communicate and follow up with affected ministries or departments to ensure performance improvement at TTDI.
