More Than 40,000 Women Being Trained in Tourism Sector – Chief Secretary Shri Shukla

Principal Secretary of Tourism and Culture, Shri Shiv Shekhar Shukla, announced that over 40,000 women are currently being trained in the tourism sector. This initiative aims to create employment opportunities within the industry and connect women from the community with tourism-related jobs. The announcement was made during a business session titled “Resurgent India Inbound – Strategies to Reposition India Amid Challenging Business Environment,” held at the Taj Hotel on the second day of the 39th session of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO). Special Secretary Tourism of Uttar Pradesh, Ms. Isha Priya, and Vikram Madhok, MD of Abercrombie & Kent, also addressed the session, which was moderated by Shri Arvind Singh, former Central Secretary.

Shri Shukla emphasized the importance of setting international standards for tourism from the outset and ensuring no compromises are made. Efforts are underway to establish an effective eco-system for inbound tourism, with a focus on pooling resources in coordination with other departments to build necessary infrastructure.

Ms. Isha Priya highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s efforts to promote rural tourism and make it accessible to middle-class families. She discussed the development of key tourist destinations in Uttar Pradesh, including the Buddhist Circuit, Theme Parks, Waste-to-Wealth Park, and Mahakumbh Mela, as well as the government’s initiatives outlined in the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Policy 2022.

Mr. Vikram Madhok, MD of Abercrombie & Kent, stressed the need to target markets where tourism is currently underperforming. He suggested that post-pandemic, there are specific markets showing promising results, while others are lagging behind. He also recommended adopting foreign practices, such as micro-managing crowds through homestays.

A special session focused on Madhya Pradesh was also held during the conference. Ms. Bidisha Mukherjee, Additional Director of the Tourism Board, invited travel agents and tour operators to explore Madhya Pradesh. She highlighted the state’s natural beauty, ancient history, protected heritage sites, diverse wildlife, and cultural significance. The region is working to increase the participation of women in the tourism sector, aiming to make it safer for female tourists, especially those traveling alone. Women are being trained in 48 job roles across 8 sectors within the tourism industry.