Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Tourism Leader Urges India to Improve Infrastructure and Visas
India has many famous places, traditions, languages, and foods that could attract visitors from around the world.
Tourism leader Iqbal Mulla says the country needs a clearer plan to help more people visit.
He says some attractions are difficult to reach and do not have enough facilities or safety arrangements nearby.
He also says tourist arrivals have not yet returned to their 2019 level.
The government has set aside money for tourism, but much of it has not been spent.
Mulla wants experts and businesses to help decide how to improve tourism.
He also says India should promote itself more in other countries.
Easier visa steps, while keeping security checks, could make visiting simpler.
Iqbal Mulla said India needs stronger tourism leadership and a clear vision to turn its cultural and heritage attractions into a larger international tourism market.
Foreign tourist arrivals have not returned to their 2019 pre-pandemic level, and tourism budget allocations have been underused in recent years.
Mulla identified weak infrastructure, safety concerns, and poor connectivity around tourist destinations as barriers for international visitors.
He called for more public-private partnerships, tourism expertise in advisory councils, and stronger overseas promotion.
Mulla said simpler visa procedures and longer-duration visas could help attract visitors while retaining necessary security checks.
- Who
- Iqbal Mulla, President of the Global Tourism Council.
- What
- Mulla called for stronger leadership, improved destination infrastructure, better promotion, and easier visas to grow international tourism in India.
- When
- The article discusses recent years and notes that arrivals have not returned to the 2019 pre-pandemic level.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- Mulla said infrastructure gaps, low utilisation of tourism funds, limited overseas promotion, and complicated visa procedures constrain tourism growth.
- Speaker
- Iqbal Mulla, President of the Global Tourism Council
- Tourism arrivals
- Foreign tourist arrivals have not returned to the 2019 pre-pandemic level.
- Tourism budget
- The government has allocated around Rs 2,400–2,500 crore annually for tourism in recent years.
- Budget concern
- Actual utilisation of tourism allocations has been considerably lower.
- Heritage attractions
- India has around 45 World Heritage sites, according to the article.
- Proposed improvements
- Mulla advocated better destination connectivity and facilities, public-private partnerships, stronger overseas promotion, and simpler, longer-duration visas.