Lok Sabha Question No. 2348 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Promoting India’s Tourism Potential Abroad
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: CHANDU LAL SAHU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2348 ANSWERED ON 31.07.2017

## PROMOTING INDIA'S TOURISM POTENTIAL ABROAD

## 2348. SHRI CHANDU LAL SAHU:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of promotional activities undertaken by the Government  during  the  current  year  to  showcase  India's  tourism potential abroad;
- (b) the names of countries selected for this purpose;
- (c)
- the new features being highlighted during this exercise; and
- (d) the  measures  taken  to  expand  tourism  infrastructure  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) to (c): The  Ministry  of  Tourism,  as  part  of  its  on-going  activities, regularly releases print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaigns in  the  international markets, under the 'Incredible India' brand-line, to promote  various  tourism  destinations  and  products  of  India  with  the objective  of  increasing  foreign  tourist  arrivals  to  the  country.  The Ministry  of  Tourism  also  promotes  various  tourism  destinations  and products  through  its  website  and  publicity  and  promotional  material produced  from  time  to  time.  These  promotional  activities  are  being undertaken  by  the  14  India  Tourism  Offices  based  in  New  York,  Los Angeles,  Toronto,  London,  Frankfurt,  Amsterdam,  Paris,  Milan,  Dubai, Johannesburg, Sydney, Beijing, Singapore and Tokyo.

In  addition,  a  series  of  promotional  activities  are  undertaken  in important and potential tourist generating markets overseas through the India  Tourism  Offices  abroad  with  the  objective  of  showcasing  India's tourism potential and promoting tourism to the country. These promotional activities include participation in travel fairs and exhibitions; organising Road Shows, 'Know India' seminars &

workshops; organizing and supporting Indian food festivals; publication of brochures,  offering joint advertising and  brochure  support,  and inviting media personalities, tour operators and opinion makers to visit the country under the Hospitality Programme of the Ministry.

Financial support is also extended under the Marketing Development  Assistance  Scheme  to  approved  service  providers  and State Governments/Union Territories for promotional activities undertaken by them in the overseas markets including Sales-cum- study tours, participation in Fairs/Exhibitions and Road Shows and production of publicity material, Sales Tours etc.

(d): For development of tourism infrastructure in the country, the Ministry of Tourism has launched two schemes in 2014-15 i.e. Swadesh Darshan - Integrated Development of Theme-Based Tourist Circuits and PRASAD- Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive.

Under  Swadesh  Darshan  scheme  the  focus  is  on  development  of theme based tourist circuits in the country in a planned and prioritized manner on the principles of high tourist value, competitiveness, sustainability, enriching tourist experience and to enhance employment opportunities. Under this Scheme, thirteen thematic circuits have been identified  for  development  namely;  North-East  India  Circuit,  Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan  Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna  Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit,  Ramayana  Circuit  and  Heritage  Circuit.  As  on  30.06.2017,  the Ministry  has  sanctioned  63  projects  for  Rs.5309.95  crore  under  the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.

Under  PRASAD  Scheme  a  total  number  of  sites  identified  at present  are  25  viz.,  Amaravati  (Andhra  Pradesh),  Amritsar  (Punjab), Ajmer  (Rajasthan),  Ayodhya  (Uttar  Pradesh),   Badrinath  (Uttarakhand), Belur  (West  Bengal),  Dwarka  (Gujarat),   Deoghar  (Jharkhand),  Gaya (Bihar) , Guruvayoor (Kerala), Hazratbal (Jammu & Kashmir), Kamakhya (Assam), Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu), Katra (Jammu & Kashmir), Kedarnath (Uttarakhand), Mathura (Uttar Pradesh), Omkareshwar (Madhya  Pradesh),  Patna  (Bihar),  Puri  (Odisha),  Somnath  (Gujarat), Srisailam  (Andhra  Pradesh),  Tirupati  (Andhra  Pradesh),  Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra),  Varanasi  (Uttar  Pradesh)  and  Vellankani  (Tamil  Nadu). The Ministry has sanctioned a total of Rs.529.12 crore since 2014-15 till date  including  development  of  Omkareshwar  in  Madhya  Pradesh  for 2017-18.

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