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Many Indian movies have highlighted stunning locations, transforming them into must-visit tourist destinations. From Goa to Ladakh, let’s explore these iconic spots on National Tourism Day 2025.
Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna starrer Dil Chahta Hai showcased Goa’s Chapora Fort.
National Tourism Day: India boasts a rich cultural and mythological heritage. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, the country has some of the scenic sites to visit and mouth-watering dishes to explore. Every tourist site holds in it the tales of history or mythology, making them even more special.
In India, tourism is one of the blooming and largest income-grossing industries. It contributes to economic growth, cultural exchange and international understanding. To promote this, National Tourism Day is celebrated annually on January 25. The primary goal of this day is to promote responsible, sustainable and accessible tourism for all citizens.
Ahead of National Tourism Day, let’s have a quick overview of the history, theme, some inspiring quotes, celebrations and more.
National Tourism Day 2025: Theme
This year, the theme for National Tourism Day is ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’. This theme highlights the role of tourism in fostering economic growth while ensuring it benefits all segments of society by creating jobs and promoting sustainable practices.
National Tourism Day 2025: History
The government of India realised the importance of tourism traffic coming towards the country in 1948. Since then, they created a separate department of tourism with the aim of preserving the national heritage and looking after the tourist destinations to keep their beauty intact while making them tourist-friendly. Keeping the culture alive and promoting tourism, India celebrates National Tourism Day on January 25.
Over the years, the day has evolved into a national movement, bringing tourism professionals, government bodies and private organisations together to collectively boost the tourism sector.
National Tourism Day 2025: Significance
The day holds immense significance in recognising the potential of tourism to boost the economy, promote environmental sustainability and preserve cultural heritage. The central government established this day in recognition of tourism as a leading sector contributing to the country’s cultural and economic growth.
It also provides millions with employment opportunities. Celebrating this day highlights the importance of promoting responsible tourism, supporting local economies and fostering intercultural understanding.
The day is marked by various events, including workshops, cultural exhibitions and conferences, to encourage sustainable practices in the tourism industry.
National Tourism Day 2025: Celebration
On this day, you can engage in community-driven activities that highlight the importance of tourism and foster a sense of pride in exploring the rich heritage of India.
- Organise Travel Workshops: For travel enthusiasts, you can organise travel workshops and educate them about sustainable and inclusive travel practices.
- Photo Contest: In the digital-centric world, you can host a contest online and invite people to share pictures of their favourite travel destinations.
- Collaborate With Local Businesses: Join hands with local travel agencies or travel guides to promote lesser-known tourist destinations.
- Host A Virtual Tour: Another thing to do on this day is organise an online event featuring virtual tours of famous tourist spots.
- Guided Heritage Walks: Next you can gather people and organise walks focusing on popular historical and cultural landmarks in your region.
National Tourism Day 2025: Inspiring Quotes
- “Life is short, and the world is wide.” – Simon Raven
- “To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.” – Aldous Huxley
- “Adventure is worthwhile in itself.” – Amelia Earhart
- “Travel makes one modest; you see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Gustave Flaubert
- “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu
- “Travelling—it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” –Ibn Battuta
- “The traveller sees what he sees; the tourist sees what he has come to see.” –Gilbert K. Chesterton
- “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Saint Augustine
- “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust
- “The use of travelling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.” – Samuel Johnson
National Tourism Day 2025: Movies That Made Tourist Spots Famous
There are plenty of Indian movies that have showcased beautiful locations, turning them into popular tourist hotspots. From Goa to Ladakh, let’s look at these destinations on National Tourism Day.
Pangong Lake, Ladakh (3 Idiots)
Remember Kareena looking for Aamir Khan on a scooter? This coming-of-age comedy-drama, starring Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi, R. Madhavan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, featured the breathtaking Pangong Lake in Ladakh. The film’s popularity led to a significant increase in tourism to this remote Himalayan lake.
Chapora Fort, Goa (Dil Chahta Hai)
This film, starring Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna, showcased the vibrant and laid-back atmosphere of Goa. One of the iconic scenes from the 2001 movie, where the trio discussed life, was shot at Chapora Fort, turning the location into a major tourist hub.
Athirappilly Waterfalls, Kerala (Baahubali)
Also known as the ‘Baahubali waterfall,’ Athirappilly Falls has become a major tourist attraction after the filming of the blockbuster Prabhas-starrer. It is the largest waterfall in Kerala, which stands tall at over 80 feet. Not just Baahubali, the place is also a famous shooting location for films like Pushpa: The Rise and the climax of Jailer.
Madhuri Lake, Arunachal Pradesh (Koyla)
This lake in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang was originally known as Shonga-tser Lake. However, it was renamed after some portions of the movie Koyla, starring Madhuri Dixit and Shah Rukh Khan, were shot at this mesmerising location.
Parra Road, Goa (Dear Zindagi)
How can we forget the beautiful stretch where Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan were spotted cycling? Yes, we are talking about Parra Road in Goa. After the Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan starrer, the place is now commonly known as Dear Zindagi Road among tourists.
