Lok Sabha Question No. 650 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-06
Subject: Promotion of Conventions to Promote Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: ANANDRAO  ADSUL, Shrirang Appa Barne, RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.650 ANSWERED ON 06.02.2017

## PROMOTION OF CONVENTIONS TO PROMOTE TOURISM

650.  SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE:

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

DR. PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering to promote conventions in order to attract large scale tourism and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Tourism Industry is expecting to overtake the IT sector  in  the  country  by  2020  in  terms  of  economy  and employment generation and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that Tourism is regional and each  State  needs  to  create  special  packages  to  sell  its advantages to generate income and employment;
- (d) whether the Government has issued any advisory to the State Governments to promote conventions in order to attract large scale tourism and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether  India  too  has  the  advantage  of  attracting  foreign students and that potential needs to be tapped and if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Yes,  Madam. The India Convention Promotion Bureau   (ICPB) has been set up under the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism to promote India as a convention destination. The ICPB is a non profit organization  with  membership comprising national airlines,  hotels, travel  agents,  tour  operators,  Professional  Conference  Organizers, State  Governments,  etc.  The  Ministry  of  Tourism  participates  in International  MICE  Trade  Shows  namely  IMEX  Las  Vegas,  IMEX Frankfurt,  AIME  Melbourne,  EIBTM  Barcelona,  etc.  through  it's overseas India Tourism offices and  ICPB and also organizes roadshows in partnership with ICPB to attract conventions to India. Ministry of  Tourism  also  supports  the  'Conventions  India Conclave' organized by ICPB wherein Indian suppliers showcase the Convention  facilities  to  potential  buyers  from  India  and  important international source markets. (b): As per the 2 nd  Tourism Satellite Account of India (TSA)- 200910 and subsequent estimation for the next three years namely 201011, 2011-12 and 2012-13, the contribution of tourism to total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 and 201213  were  6.77%  (3.68%  direct  and  3.09%  indirect),  6.76%  (3.67% direct and 3.09% indirect), 6.76% (3.67% direct and 3.09% indirect) and  6.88%  (3.74%  direct  and  3.14%  indirect),  respectively.  The contribution  of  tourism  to  total  Employment  of  the  Country  during 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 were 10.17% (4.37% direct and  5.80%  indirect),  10.78%  (4.63%  direct  and  6.15%  indirect), 11.49% (4.94% direct and 6.55% indirect) and 12.36% (5.31% direct and 7.05% indirect), respectively. (c) & (d): Yes,  Madam.  Development  and  promotion  of  tourism within  the  State/UT  is  the  responsibility  of  the  State  Governments and Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry of Tourism extends Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to the State Governments  and  Union  Territory  Administrations  for  developing tourism  and  tourism  related  infrastructure  including  convention centers  under  relevant  schemes  for  projects  submitted  by  them including funding for PPP projects under Large Revenue Generating (LRG) Projects. and foreign

(e): India with it's network of world class universities technical institutions has great potential in attracting students.

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