Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu announced ambitious plans to expand India's airports from the current 157 to 350 by 2047, as part of a broader initiative to enhance tourism and connect more hinterland regions. Speaking at a World Tourism Day event, he highlighted the government's commitment to boosting domestic connectivity and improving airport facilities to welcome foreign visitors.
Naidu praised the UDAAN scheme for making air travel more accessible and announced that the 'Chalo India' campaign would exempt one lakh foreign tourists from visa fees. He noted a significant increase in international arrivals, from 4.6 crore travelers in 2014 to nearly 7 crore today, with over 35% visiting for leisure. The minister emphasized efforts to connect previously underserved airports near scenic locations, aiming to promote tourism as a vehicle for sustainable development.
He also expressed intentions to enhance seaplane and helicopter connectivity, underscoring the importance of air travel in facilitating foreign tourist arrivals. Naidu's vision aligns with the United Nations World Tourism Organization's goal of using tourism for poverty alleviation and sustainable development, with this year's World Tourism Day theme focused on "Tourism and Peace."
