Telangana may soon become the first state in India to introduce a Tourism Friendly Index (TFI) — a scientific, data-driven system designed to rate tourism destinations on safety, cleanliness, amenities, accessibility, sustainability, cultural value, and economic impact.
The proposal, described as India’s first tourism rating system, was presented by Mr. Viiveck Verma, Startup Ecosystem Leader and TEDx Licensee, at the country’s first Conference on Building the Weekend Tourism Economy, hosted by the FTCCI Tourism Committee at NITHM.
Why TFI?
Mr. Verma explained that every major sector today uses a rating model:
- Stock markets have Sensex
- Colleges have NIRF rankings
- Cities have Swachh Survekshan
- Individuals have CIBIL credit scores
“But tourism — one of the largest public-facing sectors — has no reliable, scientific rating system. TFI fills that gap,” he said.
TFI assigns each destination a 0–100 score across seven parameters:
Safety, Cleanliness, Accessibility, Amenities, Sustainability, Culture, and Economic Impact.
“Just as we check Google ratings before choosing a restaurant, travellers and investors will soon be able to check a verified TFI score before choosing a destination,” he added.
Inspired by Global Best Practices
TFI is modelled after globally respected frameworks such as the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) and the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDSI).
However, it is designed to be simpler, more transparent, and fully adaptable to Telangana’s unique tourism landscape.
How TFI Works — Familiar Analogies
Mr. Verma used relatable comparisons to explain TFI:
- TFI is the Sensex for Tourism — measuring the performance of destinations.
- TFI is NIRF for Tourism — multi-parameter ranking simplified for public use.
- TFI is Swachh Survekshan for Tourism — spotlighting the best-managed destinations.
- TFI is the CIBIL Score for Tourist Spots — showing safety, hygiene, and visitor-friendliness.
Proposed Rollout Plan
Mr Verma recommended the following phased approach:
- Formation of an Expert Steering Committee
- Pilot scoring of selected destinations in Telangana
- Development of a public digital dashboard
- Annual TFI Reports for tourism branding and planning
- Stakeholder workshops and training programs
TFI will depend on credible sources such as UNWTO, WHO, World Bank, NCRB, GIS mapping systems, Telangana government departments, and verified traveller surveys.
FTCCI Response
The Tourism Committee stated:
“We are currently evaluating the proposal. A formal submission will be made to the Government soon.”
Why TFI Is a Game-Changer
Delegates agreed that TFI could transform Telangana’s tourism ecosystem by:
- Attracting domestic and foreign investors
- Increasing visitor satisfaction and repeat travel
- Encouraging sustainable tourism practices
- Guiding targeted infrastructure development
- Strengthening Telangana’s image as a modern, data-driven tourism leader
“TFI is not just a ranking system. It is a roadmap for smarter governance, better planning, and sustainable tourism growth,” Mr. Verma concluded.
