India, Oct. 5 -- India stands at a fascinating juncture in its global tourism journey. A land of an 8,000-year-old civilization, 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, hundreds of languages, and thousands of cuisines, it holds an unmatched cultural and historical inheritance. Yet, while Paris alone attracts 25 million international visitors annually, India welcomes just about 11 million. This contrast highlights not a lack of attractions but the urgency of converting the country's treasures into a modern, globally competitive tourism economy that matches its civilizational grandeur.

The paradox is sharp. Greece, with barely half of India's heritage sites, draws three times as many tourists, while India's tourism currently contributes only 2.6% ...