Job Description

Tourism Sector Initiative (A philanthropic organisation being incubated by TCF)

Tourism: A Critical Engine of Economic Growth in India

Tourism is a significant contributor to India's economy, generating over $200 billion in 2023, accounting for 5.5% of GDP. More importantly, it is a major job creator, supporting nearly 40 million jobs, representing 8% of the nation's total employment. Notably, every million rupees invested in tourism generates 78 jobs, compared to 18 in manufacturing and 45 in agriculture. Additionally, the tourism sector offers immense opportunities for women, who make up 54% of the sector's workforce.

A Vital Source of Exports and Foreign Exchange

In 2023, India welcomed nearly 10 million foreign tourists, contributing $28 billion in foreign exchange earnings. While COVID-19 impacted global travel, India's foreign tourist arrivals have almost returned to pre-pandemic levels, signalling a promising recovery.

Indias Untapped Global Tourism Potential

India captures only 1.5-1.7% of global tourism, despite its vast geographical diversity and cultural heritage. In comparison, China attracted 66 million foreign tourists in 2019, while smaller nations like Vietnam and Thailand received 18 million and 40 million tourists, respectively. Indias tourism industry has the potential to significantly grow with the right strategies.

Vision for 2047: A $3 Trillion Tourism Economy

India is uniquely positioned with its diverse geography, rich cultural heritage, and range of tourism options. With focused efforts, India can aim to become a $3 trillion tourism economy by 2047, achieving interim goals of $500 billion by 2030 and $1 trillion by 2036. This requires accelerating tourism growth to 12% annually, a challenging but achievable target.

Key Challenges to Overcome

• Lack of Standardised Data: Tourism is mainly measured by footfall rather than economic impact, limiting effective decision-making.
• Narrow Brand Image: India is often perceived as an exotic yet challenging destination. A broader appeal is needed to attract more diverse tourists.
• Concentration of Tourism: Major revenues come from only six destinations, leading to overcrowding and overuse of resources in popular spots like Goa and Shimla.
• Ease of Doing Business: Complex regulations and lengthy approval processes hinder the development of tourism infrastructure.
• Cross-Cutting Governance: Developing new tourist destinations requires coordinated efforts across various government departments, which is currently lacking.

This initiative positions philanthropy as a catalyst to unlock Indias tourism potential, driving economic growth and job creation.

We are building a strong founding teambrief details of the roles are on the next page.

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Data Sources: 

1. World Travel & Tourism Councils (WTTCs) Economic Impact 2020
2. World Travel & Tourism Councils (WTTCs) Economic Impact 2020
3. Planning Commission
4. World Travel & Tourism Councils (WTTCs) Economic Impact 2020
5. Ministry of tourism statistics
6. World Tourism rankings by the United Nations World Tourism Organization
7. World Tourism rankings by the United Nations World Tourism Organization
8. Ministry of Tourism
9. Estimates by Federation of Economic Development

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Founding Team Opportunities

We are seeking entrepreneurial professionals for the following roles:

• Associate Partners: (12+ years of experience)

• Project Leads: (6+ years of experience)

• Project Managers: (3+ years of experience)

Ideal candidates should be smart and entrepreneurial generalists, possess a problem-solving approach, thrive in ambiguity, and have a passion for building organisations. The team will be focus across the following verticals:

• Governance: Engaging government stakeholders and implementing models like Destination Management Organization and Special Tourism Advancement Regions
• Ease of Doing Business: Addressing regulatory barriers to unlock private sector growth.
• Data and Measurement: Shifting from footfall to value-based tourism metrics.
• Branding: Creating targeted branding strategies.
• Innovative Funding Solutions: Designing models like Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to develop new tourism infrastructure.

With India's vast tourism potential and growing global demand for unique travel experiences, we aim to incubate an organisation dedicated to accelerating India's position as a premier global tourist destination. This organisation will conduct deep, action-oriented research, drive awareness at both national and international levels, and develop scalable pilot projects to unlock key tourism pathways. By positioning India as a leading destination for high-value tourists, we can enhance the livelihood of millions of Indians working in the tourism sector, create more jobs, and contribute to the overall growth of the economy. If this opportunity to help India realise its full tourism potential excites you, please join us in this journey of transforming India into a global tourism powerhouse.

Join us in this exciting journey to build India's tourism sector and unlock opportunities for millions of Indians!