Anurag Thakur Credits Modi Era for India's Tourism Rise
Synopsis
BJP MP Anurag Thakur, at a Delhi industry event on September 25, 2026, credited PM Modi's government for India's tourism rise — pointing to the Swadesh Darshan scheme, e-Tourist Visa reforms and sustained infrastructure investment since 2014 as the engines of that growth.
Key Takeaways
BJP MP Anurag Thakur credited PM Narendra Modi 's leadership at a BW Businessworld event in Delhi on September 25, 2026 for India's emergence as a global tourism destination.
The Swadesh Darshan scheme , launched in 2014-15 , funded integrated, theme-based tourist circuit development across Indian states.
The e-Tourist Visa facility, introduced in 2014 , simplified entry for international visitors and is credited with boosting foreign tourist arrivals.
The Ministry of Tourism treats domestic and foreign travel growth as headline economic multiplier indicators.
The Ministry of Tourism's next annual statistics release will be the key data point against which the sector's performance claims are assessed.
India's tourism story, BJP MP Anurag Thakur argued at a Delhi event on Friday, September 25, 2026, is no longer a tale of untapped potential — it is one of measurable arrival, with the country now asserting itself as a genuine global destination.
Speaking at a BW Businessworld event in New Delhi, Thakur — former Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports — credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for the sector's transformation since 2014. 'Under the leadership of Modi ji, India's tourism sector has not only witnessed remarkable growth but has also established the country as a global tourism destination,' he said.
The policy machinery behind the claim
The framework Thakur invoked has its roots in 2014-15, when the Modi government launched two parallel bets on tourism. The Swadesh Darshan scheme channelled central funds into developing integrated, theme-based tourist circuits across states — connecting pilgrim trails, tribal heritage routes, coastal stretches and ecological zones into bankable itineraries. Simultaneously, the government introduced the e-Tourist Visa facility, stripping away the friction that once kept casual international visitors away.
Together, these moves reframed tourism not as a cultural afterthought but as an economic multiplier — one that generates employment across hospitality, transport, handicrafts and services without demanding heavy industrial investment. The Ministry of Tourism has since used both domestic travel growth and foreign tourist arrival figures as headline indicators of India's rising rank among global destinations.
Why the timing matters
Thakur's remarks land at a moment when India's tourism infrastructure narrative is actively being shaped ahead of the next government budget cycle. Every event that places India's growth trajectory in a global frame — particularly before an industry audience like BW Businessworld — is also a signal to investors, hoteliers and state governments about where central priority and potential allocation lie.
Domestic travel in India has expanded significantly in the post-pandemic years, and policymakers have repeatedly pointed to spiritual tourism circuits, adventure destinations and heritage corridors as the next frontier. The Ministry of Tourism's annual statistics release, expected later this year, will be the real scorecard against which these claims are measured.
For now, one of the BJP's most visible communicators has put India's global tourism ambition squarely back in the spotlight — and made it a political stake worth watching.
Point of View
Particularly before industry audiences who can amplify the narrative. Tourism is an especially useful canvas for this argument because its gains — visa liberalisation, circuit development, brand campaigns — are both tangible and headline-friendly. The remarks also arrive ahead of a fresh budget cycle, signalling to the hospitality and travel industry that central government attention, and potentially allocation, remains live. Whether the specific growth metrics cited can withstand independent scrutiny will depend on the Ministry of Tourism's forthcoming annual data release.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Anurag Thakur say about India's tourism sector?
At a BW Businessworld event in Delhi on September 25, 2026, Anurag Thakur said that under PM Modi's leadership, India's tourism sector has witnessed remarkable growth and the country has established itself as a global tourism destination.
What is the Swadesh Darshan scheme?
Swadesh Darshan is a central government scheme launched in 2014-15 that provides funding for developing integrated, theme-based tourist circuits across Indian states, covering pilgrim routes, heritage sites, coastal and ecological zones.
What is India's e-Tourist Visa and when was it introduced?
India's e-Tourist Visa facility was introduced in 2014 to simplify the entry process for international visitors, allowing eligible foreign nationals to obtain a visa electronically without visiting an embassy or consulate.
Who is Anurag Thakur and what is his role?
Anurag Thakur is a BJP Lok Sabha MP from Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, and a former Union Minister who held the portfolios of Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports.
How has India performed as a tourism destination under the Modi government?
Since 2014, the Modi government has pursued tourism growth through visa liberalisation, the Swadesh Darshan circuit development scheme and global branding campaigns. Domestic travel has expanded significantly in the post-pandemic period, though definitive 2026 figures await the Ministry of Tourism's next annual statistics release.
