**Summary:**
The Ministry of Tourism's "Chalo India" initiative aims to leverage the Indian diaspora to promote tourism to India. As stated in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1234, answered on July 28, 2025, the initiative encourages members of the Indian diaspora to act as "Incredible India" ambassadors, inviting their non-Indian friends to visit India annually. To date, the initiative has facilitated the issuance of 30 e-tourist visas. The core objective of "Chalo India" is to promote diverse tourist destinations and products, including lesser-known locations and cultural heritage sites, to increase India's share in the global tourism market. The Ministry of Tourism collaborates with Indian Missions overseas, the travel trade industry, and State Governments/UT Administrations to conduct promotional activities in key overseas markets to increase tourist arrivals.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and laws relating to the development and promotion of tourism in India.
Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign: A campaign by the Ministry of Tourism to encourage the Indian diaspora to promote tourism in India.
SMT. SHOBHANABEN MAHENDRASINH BARAIYA: Member of Parliament who raised questions regarding the Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Tourism who provided answers to the questions raised.
NRI: Non-Resident Indian. An Indian citizen who resides outside of India.
Incredible India: The name of a tourism campaign to promote India as an attractive tourist destination.
Indian Missions overseas: The Embassies and Consulates of India located in foreign countries.
State Governments: The governments of the individual states within India; involved in promoting tourism.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†1234
ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
CHALO INDIA GLOBAL DIASPORA CAMPAIGN
†1234. SMT. SHOBHANABEN MAHENDRASINH BARAIYA:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the number of visas issued under the Chalo India Global Diaspora
Campaign;
(b) the number of foreign tourists along with the NRIs visited India
through the suggestions provided under this campaign;
(c) the role of said campaign in promoting lesser known tourist
destinations and cultural heritage sites;
(d) whether the Government has any new initiatives or expansion plans
to be undertaken in the future under this campaign to further
strengthen the participation of NRIs and increase the number of
tourists visiting the country; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (e): The Chalo India initiative was launched by the Ministry of
Tourism for members of the Indian diaspora to become Incredible India
ambassadors by encouraging their Non-Indian friends to visit India, every
year. Till date, 30 e-tourist visas, have been issued under the said
initiative.
The objective of the initiative is to promote the tourist destinations and
products of the country, including the lesser known destinations and
cultural heritage sites, with the aim of increasing India’s share in the
global tourism market. Ministry of Tourism undertakes tourism promotional
activities in potential source markets overseas in association with the
Indian Missions overseas, travel trade industry and the State Governments/
UT Administrations to enhance tourist footfalls to the country.
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