**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Tourism introduced initiatives aimed at increasing transparency, accountability, and improved service delivery in the tourism sector, focusing on digital advancements, tourist safety, and sectoral reforms. These initiatives include an online system for approvals, a multilingual tourist helpline, the deployment of tourist police, and GST reforms effective from 22.09.2025, to make travel more affordable. State Governments/UT Administrations are required to adopt a handbook on Industry Status into their tourism policy.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Digital Tourism and Approvals:**
* An online system for receiving, processing, and granting approvals for classification of accommodation units and recognition of Tourism Service Providers has been introduced. Applications can be filed at the NIDHI+ portal (nidhi.tourism.gov.in).
* The online process is integrated with a payment gateway.
* **Tourist Safety and Security:**
* A 24x7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Helpline (1800111363 or short code 1363) is available in 12 languages.
* The Ministry of Tourism encourages State Governments/UT Administrations to set up dedicated Tourist Police. Several States/UTs have already deployed tourist police.
* State Governments/UT Administrations have provisions to avail benefits under the 'Safe Tourism Destinations for Women' using the Nirbhaya fund.
* **Industry Status and Policy:**
* A Handbook on Industry Status to the Tourism and Hospitality Sector was launched in September 2024.
* **e-Visa Scheme:**
* e-Visa scheme is available to nationals of 172 countries for entry through 32 airports, 6 seaports and 1 land port.
* International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs) recorded from 2019 to 2024.
* **GST Reforms (Effective 22.09.2025):**
* GST on hotel rooms priced below ₹7,500 per day reduced from 12% to 5% (without ITC).
* GST on buses with seating capacity over 10 reduced from 28% to 18%.
* GST on art and cultural goods lowered from 12% to 5%.
* Reduced GST on consumer durables, food, and related consumables (5% or nil).
* Reduced GST on hospitality sector items such as TVs, refrigerators, ACs.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments / UT Administrations**
* **Impact:** Implementing safety measures and adopting the Handbook into their policies.
* **Action Required:**
* Consider setting up dedicated Tourist Police to enhance tourist safety and security.
* Consider adopting the Handbook on Industry Status into their industry/tourism policy.
* Utilize the Nirbhaya fund to improve the safety and security of women tourists in their regions.
**Tourism Service Providers (Accommodation Units)**
* **Impact:** Changes in the approval process for recognition.
* **Action Required:**
* File applications for classification and recognition through the NIDHI+ portal (nidhi.tourism.gov.in).
**Tourists (Domestic and International)**
* **Impact:** Increased safety, access to information, and affordability.
* **Action Required:**
* Utilize the 24x7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Helpline (1800111363 or short code 1363) for information and assistance.
**Artisans and Sculptors**
* **Impact:** Direct support through reduced GST on art and cultural goods.
* **Action Required:**
* Benefit from the lower GST rates on art and cultural goods.
**Hospitality Sector**
* **Impact:** Reduced GST on various goods and services, reduced costs of operation.
* **Action Required:**
* Update accounting systems to reflect new GST rates for hotel rooms, buses, and other relevant goods and services.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: Indian government ministry responsible for the development and promotion of tourism in India.
Goods and Services Tax (GST): A value-added tax levied on most goods and services sold for domestic consumption, with reforms impacting India's tourism sector.
National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry (NIDHI+): Online portal for receiving, processing and granting approvals for classification of accommodation units and recognition of Tourism Service Providers.
Tourist Police: Dedicated law enforcement units established by State Governments and Union Territory Administrations to strengthen on-ground safety mechanisms for tourists.
Nirbhaya fund: Fund utilized by State Governments and Union Territories for projects designed to improve the safety and security of women tourists, specifically under the 'Safe Tourism Destinations for Women' initiative.
Ministry of Tourism
Digital Tourism, Safety and Sectoral Reforms
प्रव तथ: 18 DEC 2025 3:55PM by PIB Delhi
With a view to bring in more transparency, accountability and improved service delivery, the Ministry of
Tourism introduced an online system of receiving, processing and conveying/ granting approvals for
classification of accommodation units and recognition of Tourism Service Providers. Applications can be
filed at the portal of National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry (NIDHI+), i.e.
nidhi.tourism.gov.in. This online process has also been integrated with a payment gateway.
As a part of the Ministry’s continuous endeavours to make travel for tourists safe and secure, the Ministry
of Tourism has set up a 24x7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Helpline on the toll free number 1800111363 or on a
short code 1363, which is now available in 12 Languages including 10 international languages for
domestic and foreign tourists to provide support service in terms of information relating to Travel in India
and to offer appropriate guidance to tourists in distress, while travelling within India.
Safety and Security of tourists is essentially a State subject. However, the Ministry of Tourism has been
continuously taking up the matter with all the State Governments and Union Territory (UT)
Administrations for setting up of dedicated Tourist Police to strengthen on-ground safety mechanism for
tourists. With the efforts of Ministry of Tourism, States/UT’s viz Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa,
Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha,
Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh have deployed tourist police.
State Governments and Union Territories have the provisions for availing the benefits of the ‘Safe
Tourism Destinations for Women’ under Nirbhaya fund for projects specifically designed to improve the
safety and security of women tourists.
The Ministry of Tourism launched a Handbook on Industry Status to the Tourism and Hospitality Sector
in September, 2024. This has been circulated to the State Governments/UT Administrations for adopting
into their industry/tourism policy.
e-Visa scheme is now available to the nationals of 172 countries valid for entry through 32 designated
airports, 6 designated seaports and 1 land port. The record International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs) in India
during 2019 to 2024 are mentioned as under:
Year ITAs (in Million)2019 17.91
2020 6.33
2021 7.00
2022 14.33
2023 18.89
2024 20.57
Source: Bureau of Immigration
The Government introduced a simplified GST structure with significant rate reductions across key sectors
of trade and commerce, including the hospitality sector, with effect from 22.09.2025. The implemented
Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms are set to transform India's tourism sector, making travel more
affordable and accessible for both domestic and international tourists.
The highlights of the GST reforms affecting the tourism and hospitality sector are listed below:
i. The GST on hotel rooms priced below ₹7,500 per day has been reduced from 12% to 5% (without
ITC).
ii. GST on buses with a seating capacity of over 10 persons has been cut from 28% to 18%.
iii. GST on art and cultural goods has been lowered from 12% to 5%, providing direct support to
artisans and sculptors.
iv. Consumer durables, Food and related items: Most of the food and related consumables are now
having reduced GST at 5 percent or some have nil GST. Similarly, many items used in hospitality
sector such as TVs, refrigerators, ACs etc. are having reduced GST which is positively impacting
the sector with reduced cost of operations and capital expenditure.
This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
****
Sunil Kumar Tiwari
tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2205891) आगंतुक पटल : 289
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu , ही