Lok Sabha Question No. 4334 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Impact of Demonetisation on Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA, P.R. SUNDARAM, KAMAL NATH, J. JAYASINGH THIYAGARAJ NATTERJEE, PR. SENTHILNATHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4334 ANSWERED ON 12.12.2016

## IMPACT OF DEMONETISATION ON TOURISM

## 4334. SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA:

SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM:

SHRI KAMAL NATH:

SHRI J.J.T. NATTERJEE:

SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  been  made  aware  that  recent Demonetisation  of  500,  1000  denomination  currencies  in  the country has negatively affected the tourism sector and if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
- (b) whether  majority  of  the  domestic  and  international  tourists have cancelled their trips in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the time expected  by  the  Government  to  overcome  the situation;
- (d) whether any special packages are planned to compensate the loss incurred by the tourism sector in this regard; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The number of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during 9 th  - 30 th   November, 2016, i.e. post de-monetisation period, was 6.45 lakhs  registering  a  positive  growth  of  4.6%  over  same  period  of previous  year.  State/UT-wise  break-up  of  this  information  is  not available.

(b): As  per  the  information  received  from  Indian  Association  of Tour  Operators  (IATO),  no  incidences  of  cancellation  have  been reported by their members due to demonetisation.

(c) to (e): After the announcement of demonetization by Government  of  India,  the  difficulties  faced  by  the  international tourists regarding changing of currency at the airport came to light and brought to the notice of Ministry of Tourism by the media report and representation received from IATO.

Accordingly, Ministry of Tourism has taken up the matter with concerned authorities to ease the  difficulties  faced  by  the  foreign tourists  in  this  connection.  Details  of  the  same  are  given  at

Annexure.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (c)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4334 ANSWERED ON 12.12.2016 REGARDING IMPACT OF DEMONETISATION ON TOURISM.

To ease the situation raised due to demonetization, Ministry of Tourism  has  taken  up  the  following  matter  with  the  concerned organizations:

## i. Ministry of Culture

-  Consider  setting  up  of  substantial  number  of  'swipe' machines at ASI monuments at Agra and Fatehpur Sikri immediately for payment of entry tickets.
-  Consider  to  allow  approved  tour  operators  to  purchase entry  tickets  for  their  clients  in  advance  on-line  or  by way  of  DD/cheque.    This  will  avoid  purchase  of  tickets across the counters by cash.

## ii. Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance

-  The present limit of converting foreign currency to Indian rupees  which  is  Rs.5,000/-  may  be  enhanced  to  enable foreign tourists to take care of their incidental expenses.
-  The foreign tourists/travelers may be permitted to return the unused Indian currency to the bank/authorized money changers on submission of original exchange receipts.
-  To  ensure  that  sufficient  number  of  banks  are  open during the midnight hours when maximum foreign travellers arrive.
-  Advise banks/foreign exchange dealers to deploy adequate  number  of  persons  to  facilitate  tourists/avoid long queues.

## iii. Ministry of Civil Aviation

-  Sufficient  number  of  exchange  counters/banks  may  be made available at the international airports during peak hours (midnight hours) at the arrival terminals.
-  Deploy  adequate  number  of  persons  to  serve  larger number of foreign tourists/travellers arriving in the country, particularly, during midnight hours.
-  All  concerned  authorities  at  international  airports  such as  AAI/GMR/GVK,  etc  in  the  country  may  be  advised  to put  up  proper  signages  in  regard  to  authorized  money changers/banks  and  availability  of  pre-paid  taxi  service providers.
-  Authorities may also ensure that the pre-paid taxi service providers accept payment by credit cards.

iv. All  the  Regional  Directors  of  India  Tourism  offices  located  in Delhi,  Mumbai,  Kolkata,  Chennai  and  Guwahati  were  directed  to monitor  whether the pre-paid ticket counters are accepting credit cards or are deliberately refusing to use credit cards for accepting payments at the international airports under their jurisdiction.  Keep a  watch  on  the  functioning  of  foreign  exchange  counters  at  the airports  and  assist  the  tourist  to  alleviate  their  problems.    They were  also  directed  to  coordinate  with  the  officials of airport authority/concessionaires  like  GMR,  GVK,  Traffic  Police  and  also with taxi operators, banks and foreign exchange counters with view to providing satisfactory services and facilitation to the tourists. All officers were advised to send daily reports in the above mentioned matter.

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