Lok Sabha Question No. 2897 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-20
Subject: Decline in Tourist Arrival after Demonetisation
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: DUSHYANT SINGH, N.K. PREMACHANDRAN, C. MAHENDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2897 ANSWERED ON 20.03.2017

## DECLINE IN TOURIST ARRIVAL AFTER DEMONETISATION

2897. SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

SHRI C. MAHENDRAN:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  due  to  Demonetisation  and  Cash  crunch  there  has been a fall in foreign tourists during that period;
- (b) the impact of demonetization on the travel and tourism sector of the country;
- (c) whether demonetization created bad reputation in the tourism sector; and
- (d) the  action  taken  by  the  Government  to  facilitate  the  foreign tourists?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): No significant impact of demonetization has been observed  on  tourism  sector  as  an  impressive  growth  has  been registered in Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during November  2016  to  February  2017.  The  number  of  FTAs  in  India during November 2016 to February 2017 and the growth registered over same month of previous year is as below:

| Month         | FTAs (P)   | Growth (%)   |
|---------------|------------|--------------|
| November 2016 | 8,91,521   | 9.3%         |
| December 2016 | 10,36,603  | 13.6%        |
| January 2017  | 9,83,413   | 16.5%        |
| February 2017 | 9,56,337   | 13.0%        |

P: Provisional

## (d): Following  steps  were  initiated  by  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  in coordination with concerned stakeholders:

- (i) Ministry  of  Finance  was  requested  that  the  limit  of converting foreign currency to Indian Rupees be enhanced to enable foreign tourists to take care of their incidental expenses.
- (ii) To permit foreign tourists/travelers to return the unused Indian currency to the banks/authorized money changers on submission of original exchange receipts.
- (iii) Sufficient  number  of  exchange  counters/banks  to  be made  available  at  the  International  Airports arrivals during peak hours.
- (iv) Advised banks/foreign exchange dealers to deploy adequate  number  of  persons  to  facilitate  tourists  to avoid long queues.
- (v) All  concerned  authorities  at  International  Airports  such as Airport Authority of India/GMR/GVK etc. in the country were  advised  to  put  up  proper  signages  in  regard  to foreign money changers/banks and availability of prepaid taxi service providers.
- (vi) Authorities  were  advised  to  ensure  that  prepaid  taxi providers accept payment by digital mode.
- (vii) MoT  also  made  arrangements  to  post  duty  officers  at International Airports to assist and monitor the facilitation  efforts  being  made  for  the  tourists  at  the airports.
- (viii)   All  India  Tourism  Offices  in the country were instructed to  follow  up  and  ensure  that  ATM,  foreign  exchange counters and bank counters at international and domestic airports serviced the arriving tourists properly. All Regional Directors of MoT were asked to monitor the situation on day to day basis.
- (ix) Archaeological Survey  of India  (Monuments)  and  all concerned associations were advised to provide epayment options and install POS (Swap machines) for the benefit of the tourists.
- (x) Ministry  of  Tourism  24x7  Multi-lingual  Tourist  Helpline executives were sensitized to handle queries arising out of the above issues.

***********