Cultural and Heritage Tourism in India: Vision 2047

Abstract

Cultural and heritage tourism has become one of the most dynamic segments of India’s tourism economy, linking conservation, creativity, and community livelihood. As India approaches its centenary of independence in 2047, policy discourse has turned toward imagining how the country’s exceptional cultural assets can power sustainable and inclusive development. The prospective evolution of cultural and heritage tourism within the “Viksit Bharat @ 2047” framework, examining key drivers like policy reforms, sustainability mandates, digital transformation, and community participation and their likely trajectories are the main focus points. Drawing upon policy-document analysis, scenario reasoning, and literature-based synthesis, India can realize a conservation-led, inclusive, and tech-enabled tourism model if governance, measurement, and financing mechanisms mature in tandem. Through its cultural-policies by 2047, India can emerge as a global leader in sustainable and inclusive heritage tourism if institutional capacity, digital ecosystems, and participatory governance mechanisms are strengthened by situating heritage tourism at the intersection of development planning, creative-economy growth, and identity preservation.

Keywords: Sustainable Development Goals, Heritage Management, Viksit Bharat, Artificial intelligence.