National Tourism Day in India: 8 celebrities who helped promote tourism in India
India celebrates National Tourism Day on January 25 every year and is a day to create more awareness about tourism in India to help in economic growth. India is so vast with several wonders to explore and yet, people are more fascinated with the idea of an abroad vacation. However, many celebrities have helped in changing this by attracting tourists to several parts of India. We take a look at a few of them who have inspired us to explore our own country as tourists. ALSO SEE 10 ads about India that will spark your wanderlust
Amitabh Bachchan
What Big B has done for Gujarat tourism is simply incredible. The actor par excellence mesmerized Indians and showcased the various wonders of the state in several print and video ad campaigns and the result was a sharp increase in the tourism of Gujarat. Amitabh Bachchan’s contribution to promoting tourism was so legendary that he was even considered for being the brand ambassador of the Incredible India campaign for the whole country. However, it did not work out as he was already associated with one state’s campaign. Here’s a glimpse of Amitabh Bachchan inviting us to visit Gujarat.
Narendra Modi
The prime minister of India is a man who loves everything about India and even flaunts it in the clothes he wears, his food and lifestyle habits (read Indian food and yoga) and the language he speaks even when abroad (Hindi). He is definitely the face of the country and has promoted tourism to India in more ways than one. Seeing his global presence, he was chosen as the brand ambassador of the Incredible India campaign last year and we think it is a fitting choice. Modi has also urged people to go out and explore India on his radio talk show Mann ki Baat. Looks like the prime minister is a traveler at heart! ALSO SEE Did you know these facts about India?
Aamir Khan
Aamir was the face of Incredible India for the longest time until a year ago and has done several ad campaigns not just promoting Indian tourism but also asking Indians to be responsible tourists and hosts. From urging us to keep our country clean to telling us to behave with foreign tourists, Aamir has certainly done a lot for the Indian tourism industry. His Atithi Devo Bhava campaigns have been the most memorable ones and here’s a glimpse of one of them.
Priyanka Chopra
The global icon Priyanka Chopra has also done her fair of promoting Indian tourism not just in the country but around the world. She has become one of India’s most popular faces in the West and people often ask her about her country and its people. She is truly a global phenomenon and makes India proud. She was even considered to be the brand ambassador for Incredible India along with Amitabh Bachchan before PM Modi was chosen. Priyanka is now the official brand ambassador of Assam Tourism and we can’t wait to see how she will promote the state in her new ad campaigns.
Shah Rukh Khan
SRK is another global icon and has a huge NRI fan following apart from the love he gets in his own country. Even foreigners are crazy about him and would kill to come to India to get a glimpse of him. The actor may not officially be Indian tourism’s brand ambassador but he does promote the country through his films for sure. As of now, he is the brand ambassador for West Bengal’s tourism and even shot for an ad where he sings in Bengali. Watch the ad below.
Ajay Devgn and Kajol
The husband and wife duo are both well-known faces in India and have successfully been brand ambassadors of several products too. Recently they teamed up to be become the brand ambassadors of Andhra Pradesh tourism board. Ajay took a keen interest in the development of Amaravati and its tourist attractions and even plans to build a media city there. Seeing his keen interest, the chief minister of the state appointed the two as the new face of tourism to help rope in more tourists to Andhra. ALSO SEE 4 things India can learn from China tourism
John Abraham
John Abraham is known as the fitness freak of India, a bike lover and even a sports enthusiast. However, he is also the face of Arunachal Pradesh tourism board. The state has several unique attractions to offer but is an offbeat choice even today. With John’s popularity, the state hopes to bring in more tourists to explore its wonders and culture. John has already shot a few ad campaigns for the state and we cannot help but admire the raw beauty it has to offer. Take a look.
Virat Kohli
Ace batsman Virat Kohli who has also taken over as captain of the Indian cricket team dons several ads. He is seen endorsing several products and is also in the news for his personal life with Anushka Sharma. But Virat is also the brand ambassador for Uttarakhand tourism board and last December, he spent Christmas and New Year with Anushka and both their families in the state that stirred up quite a storm among their fans. Nevertheless, we hope to see him more in the state promoting its many wonders as Uttarakhand is one of the most beautiful places in India.
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