Make the most of the booming sector

By Ranjan K Baruah

Tourism is a common word when it comes to Meghalaya or the North East .The tourism and hospitality sector has emerged as one of the key drivers of growth among the services sector in the country. Tourism in Meghalaya and the North East has significant potential considering the rich cultural and historical heritage, variety in ecology, terrains and places of natural beauty spread across the region.
India’s rising middle class and increasing disposable incomes have continued to support the growth of domestic and outbound tourism. According to the Ministry of Tourism, foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in India increased 19.5 per cent year-on-year to 630,000 in May 2017.
FTAs on e-tourist visa increased 55.3 per cent year-on-year to 68,000 in May 2017. India’s foreign exchange earnings (FEEs) through tourism increased by 32 per cent year-on-year to reach $2.278 billion in April 2017, the Ministry of Tourism data shows.
The tourism and hospitality is among the top 10 sectors in India to attract the highest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). During the period April 2000-March 2017, the hotel and tourism sector attracted around $10.14 billion of FDI, according to the data released by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion.
In the Union Budget 2017-18, the Government of India announced some initiatives to give a fillip to the tourism and hospitality sector such as setting up of five special tourism zones, special pilgrimage or tourism trains and worldwide launch of Incredible India campaign, among others.
India’s travel and tourism industry has huge growth potential. The tourism industry is also looking forward to the expansion of e-visa scheme which is expected to double the tourist inflow to India.
The launch of several central branding and marketing initiatives, such as Incredible India and Athiti Devo Bhava, has provided a focused impetus to growth. India has also released a fresh category of visa — the medical visa or M-visa, to encourage medical tourism in the country.
Tourism products include cruises, adventure, medical, wellness, sports, MICE, eco-tourism, film, historical , rural , religious tourism, etc . There are many career avenues related to tourism industry. One may be associated with tour and travel agency, hotels and resorts, managing the sights, etc.
A very wide industry, it includes government tourism departments, immigration and customs services, travel agencies, airlines, tour operators, hotels etc and many associated services like airline catering or laundry services, guides, interpreters, tourism promotion and sales etc.
Some of the courses related to tourism are : Advance Diploma in Travel and Tourism Management, Diploma in Travel and Tourism Management , M.B.A. Travel and Tourism, Master of Travel and Tourism Management, Post Graduate Diploma in Travel and Tourism Management, Masters and Bachelor of Tourism Studies/Management , etc . These courses are available in many colleges and institutes across the country.

Updates
Chulabhorn Graduate Institute’s Scholarships: Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Bangkok is offering scholarships to Indian applicants for the academic year 2018 under ‘Chulabhorn Graduate Institute Post –graduate Scholarships Program’ for the programme leading to the master’s degree in applied Biological Sciences: Environmental Health, Environmental Toxicology and Chemical Biology. Interested may apply before 31st October.
Netherlands Fellowship Programme: Working professionals may apply for the Netherlands Fellowship Programme for Short Courses 2017 to enhance their capacity through education and training in different universities in Netherlands. This fellowship is fully funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Last date varies from university to university.

(Ranjan K Baruah is a career mentor and can be reached at [email protected] or 98640 55558 for any career related queries)