Lok Sabha Question No. 76 (STARRED), answered on 2016-11-21
Subject: National Tourism Advisory Council
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: ANURAG SINGH THAKUR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*76 ANSWERED ON 21.11.2016

## NATIONAL TOURISM ADVISORY COUNCIL

- *76.  SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether adequate steps have been taken by the Government to promote India as a global tourist hub and if so, the details thereof; (b) the  specific  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote Himachal  Pradesh  as  a  tourist  destination  and  the  outcome thereof; (c) whether  the  Government  has  constituted  a  National  Tourism Advisory Council and if so, the details thereof; and (d) the composition and the functions of the proposed council?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to (d):  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*76 ANSWERED ON 21.11.2016 REGARDING NATIONAL TOURISM ADVISORY COUNCIL.

(a) and (b): The promotion of tourist destinations and products is primarily the responsibility of the concerned State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. However, the Ministry of  Tourism  (MoT)  promotes  India  as  a  holistic  destination  and  as part of its on-going activities, releases print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaigns in the international and domestic markets,  under  the  Incredible  India  brand-line,  to  promote  various tourism products and destinations of the country including Himachal Pradesh.

MoT  also  promotes  the  tourism  destinations  and  products through its websites and publicity and promotional material produced by it from time to time. In addition, a series of promotional activities are undertaken in important and potential tourist generating markets  overseas through the Indiatourism Offices Overseas with the objective of showcasing India's tourism potential and increasing tourist arrivals to the country. These  include participation in travel fairs and exhibitions; organising road shows, 'Know  India'  seminars  &  workshops;  organizing  and  supporting Indian food and cultural 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 such as Sales Tours, Participation in Travel Fairs/Exhibitions  and  Road  Shows,  and Production of Publicity Material.

The  number  of  domestic  tourist  visits  to  Himachal  Pradesh was 171 lakh in 2015 as compared to 159 lakh in 2014 registering a growth of 7.5%. Similarly, the number of foreign tourist visits to the State of  Himachal  Pradesh was 4.06 lakh in  2015  as  compared to 3.90 in 2014 registering a growth of 4.2%.

(c): The Ministry of Tourism has constituted the National Tourism Advisory  Council  (NTAC)  on  October  27th,  2016.  The  Council  will have tenure of 3 years from the date of constitution.

(d): The  composition  of  the  NTAC  is  given  at  Annexure.  The Council  will  act  as  a  'Think  Tank'  and  advise  the  Government  on various policy matters relating to tourism.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO.*76 ANSWERED ON 21.11.2016 REGARDING NATIONAL TOURISM ADVISORY COUNCIL.

## NATIONAL TOURISM ADVISORY COUNCIL

## The NTAC was formed with the following composition:

- A.
- Chairman: Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism
- B. Vice Chairman: Secretary (Tourism), Government of India
- C. Members:
- I. Ministries of Government of India:
1. Secretary,  Home  (or  his  representative,  not  below  the level of Join Secretary).
2. Secretary, Finance (or his representative, not below the level of Join Secretary).
3. Secretary,  Foreign  (or  his  representative,  not  below  the level of Join Secretary).
4. Secretary,  Culture  (or  his  representative,  not  below  the level of Join Secretary).
5. Secretary, Civil Aviation (or his representative, not below the level of Join Secretary).
6. Secretary, Urban Development (or his representative, not below the level of Join Secretary).
7. Secretary, Road Transport & Highways (or his representative, not below the level of Join Secretary).
8. Secretary, Shipping (or his representative, not below the level of Join Secretary).
9. Secretary, Drinking water & sanitation (or his representative, not below the level of Join Secretary).
- 10.
- Chairman, Railway Board
11. Principal Adviser (Tourism), NITI Aayog
- 12.
- Additional Member (Tourism & Catering), Railway Board

D.

- Experts  in  the  field  of  travel  and  tourism  management  etc.
- II. who are member in their individual capacity:
1. Shri Subhash Goyal, ex- President, Indian Association of Tour Operators
2. Shri Nakul Anand, Executive Director, ITC Limited
3. Shri Vivek Nair, CMD, Hotel Leelaventure Limited
- 4.
- Shri Jyotsna Suri, Ex- President FICCI/ CMD, Bhrat Hotels
5. Shri  Karan  S.  Anand,  Head  of  Relationships  &  Suppliers Management, Cox & Kings Limited
6. Shri Amitabh SInha, IBN7
7. Dr. Narendra Gupta, Satya Medical Centre, A-98/A, Sector- 34, Noida- 201301
8. Shri  Pradeep  Narayan  Singh,  MD,  Hotel  Pradeep,  C27/111C, Jagat Ganj, Varanasi- 221002
9. Shri Gyan Singh Rathore, Advisory Board Member, Wockhardt Foundation, Mumbai
10. Ms.  Tanuja  Pandey,  MF-21,  Eldeco  Mansionz,  Sector-48, Sohna Road, Gurgaon-122018
11. Ms.  Alka  Pareek,  A-205,  Defence  Colony,  New  Delhi110024
12. Shri Alok Vatsa, C-32, Sector 33, Noida- 201301

## III. Ex- Officio Members:

1. Chairman & Managing Director, ITDC
2. 2.
3. President, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO)
3. Chairman,  Federation  of  Associations  of  Indian  Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH)
5. 4.
6. Chairman, Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA)
5. President, Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI)
6. President, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI)

Member Secretary: JS Level officer in charge of NTAC

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