The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and YES Bank have projected that India would get capital investment worth US$ 94.5 billion by 2019 in tourism and travel sector since it is expected to grow at 8.8 per cent between the period 2011-2019. Besides, the two institutions are of the view that growing travel and tourism industry will place India at the third position in the world in a decade’s time.

The above projections are condensed in Agri Tourism Study brought out by ASSOCHAM and YES Bank, findings of which were released by ASSOCHAM Secretary General, Mr. D.S. Rawat .

The study further forecasts that domestic Travel and Tourism sector is expected to be the 2nd largest employer in the world which is likely to employ over 40,037,000 by 2019 considering the way the travel and tourism industry has started growing.

The share of India in the world employment is expected to be significant as in next couple of years, India would have developed a good number of sites for travel and tourism with extensive focus for promoting of agri tourism. According to it, India is projected to become 5th fastest growing business travel destination from 2011-2019 with an estimated real growth rate of 7.6 per cent.

The travel and tourism will finally transform not only the urban India but also rural part of the country and eventually promote agri tourism by involving thousands of farmers into it and their farming will witness huge changes.

According to the study, tourism would be the largest service industry in the country. Its importance would lie in being an instrument for economic development and employment generation particularly in the remote and backward areas.

The increasing tourism activities will help India build environmental and cultural awareness, provide positive experience for both visitors and hosts and give direct financial benefits for conservation.

It will also provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people and raise sensitivity to host countries political, environmental and social climate besides supporting human rights and labor agreements.

Agri tourism will be special beneficiary of development of tourism and travel industry which will comprise agri museums, agriculture related festivals and fairs including farmers’ markets. Agri museums will have the benefits for farm vacations, heritage trails, farm tours and farm activities.

The ASSOCHAM-YES Bank Study further adds that it would provide opportunities to generate additional revenue, make for economic diversity and amount to relationship building, besides improving understanding of local farmers and their families.

Other benefits will include that agri tourism will bring major primary sector agriculture closer to major service sector tourism would lend support to farms and attract attention to rural infrastructure development as also create employment opportunities and empowerment of local people.

Growth in tourism and travel industry will stimulate investment and create opportunities in ancillary and support line of business. It will showcase the environmental, cultural and heritage aspects of the region as also further showcase local cuisine and culinary practices, handicrafts and vernacular skills.

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