sureshgopi.in · Public information archive · Last verified September 2026
10 Tourism
The Ministry of Tourism is the nodal agency of the Government of India for developing and promoting tourism. Suresh Gopi has served as its Minister of State since 11 June 2024, under the Union Minister of Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
i The sector, in official figures
Every figure below is taken from the Press Information Bureau factsheet “Tourism Expansion in India” (Factsheet 149085, 3 October 2024) and carries the year it refers to. Nothing here is projected forward or rounded up, and nothing is attributed to an individual office-holder.
ii How the ministry works
Destination development on a theme-based circuit model, now reoriented around sustainable and responsible tourism at selected destinations, delivered with State governments.
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive — infrastructure and visitor facilities at identified pilgrimage and heritage sites.
Domestic tourism promotion, encouraging travel within India and raising awareness of destinations and products inside the country.
The national brand for overseas and domestic promotion, now carried through the Incredible India Digital Platform alongside conventional marketing.
Easier availability of e-visas, a 24×7 multilingual tourist helpline, and the Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi initiative launched on World Tourism Day 2024.
Adventure, cultural, medical and MICE tourism, with a proposed National Adventure Tourism Framework and City Level MICE Promotion Bureau guidelines under discussion with States.
Tourism is, in practice, a shared responsibility. The Union ministry frames policy, funds schemes and promotes the country as a destination; State governments and Union Territory administrations own, build and operate the great majority of destinations, and carry the day-to-day work of running them. Central government statements consistently frame destination development as requiring both.
iii Current direction
The stated objective announced in the Union Budget for 2025-26 is to develop 50 top tourist destinations as world-class, integrated and sustainable hubs, described in government communication as “Tourism Boost Vision 2029”.
In May 2026 the Ministry of Tourism held a two-day National Consultative Workshop at Kevadia, Gujarat, on “Developing Tourist Destinations to Global Standards”. The Union Minister of Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, presided, and emphasised that while the Central Government would continue to support tourism infrastructure and destination development, States and Union Territories must also contribute through integrated planning, destination management, ease of doing business, sustainability and stakeholder participation.
The Minister of State, Suresh Gopi, also addressed the participants, and according to the Press Information Bureau “highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts towards strengthening India’s tourism ecosystem and enhancing tourism experiences across destinations.”
Film tourism is a recognised niche segment within the ministry’s remit. It is noted here as a policy area only. No claim is made on this site about any particular initiative in it, because none specific to this office-holder could be verified.
iv Documented activity
11 May 2026
Kevadia, Gujarat
Addressed participants at the Ministry of Tourism’s two-day workshop, alongside the Union Minister, the Additional Secretary & Director General (Tourism) and the Secretary, Ministry of Tourism.
16 Mar 2026
Lok Sabha
Listed to report the action taken on the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, covering niche tourism including spiritual tourism, theme-based circuits and potential destinations.
Sep 2026
Thrissur
Told reporters that three projects for Thrissur under Swadesh Darshan 2024, together worth ₹99.7 crore — including the modernisation of the Sakthan Market — had moved forward with the State government’s cooperation.
11 Jun 2024
New Delhi
Took charge at the ministry, welcomed by the Secretary, Ms. V. Vidyavathi, and senior officials. According to the Press Information Bureau he “interacted with the senior officers of tourism ministry and talked about his vision for development of tourism sector in the country”.