Lok Sabha Question No. 1328 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-19
Subject: India's Share in World Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor, Parbatbhai Savabhai Patel, Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya, Shantanu Thakur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†1328

## LOK SABHA ANSWERED ON 19.09.2020

## INDIA'S SHARE IN WORLD TOURISM

†1328. SHRI JASWANT SINGH BHABHOR:

SHRI PARBATBHAI SAVABHAI PATEL:

SHRI SHANTANU THAKUR:

SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the share of India in total global tourist footfall is 0.6 per cent;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to increase India's share of the global tourist footfall to 1 per cent by the end of 2020 and 2 per cent by 2035; and
- (c) if  so,  the  manner  in  which  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up required infrastructure and develop tourism friendly culture among people?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

- (a): As per United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) report (World Tourism barometer) for August/September 2020, calculated share of India's International Tourist Arrivals (ITA)  in world's(ITA) in year 2019 is 1.23%. International Tourist Arrivals includes Foreign Tourist Arrivals and arrivals of Non Resident Nationals.
- (b): The  share  of  India's  Foreign  Tourist  Arrivals  (FTAs)  in  World's International Tourist Arrivals during the year 2019 was 0.75%. Government  had  targeted  to  increase  India's  share  of  Foreign  Tourist Arrivals  in  world's  International  Tourist  Arrivals  to  1%  by  2020  and increase to 2% by 2025.
- (c): Development  and  promotion  of  tourist  places  is  primarily  the responsibility of concerned State Government/UT Administration. However,  Ministry  of  Tourism,  Government  of  India  has  taken  several

steps for creation of tourism infrastructure and making tourism friendly culture among people, which inter-alia include:

-  Under  its  two  flagship  schemes:  Swadesh  Darshan  -  Integrated Development  of  Theme-Based  Tourist  Circuits  and  PRASHADPilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage  Augmentation Drive,  the  projects  are  identified  for  development  of  tourism infrastructure and facilities in consultation with the State Governments  /UT  Administrations  and  are  sanctioned  as  per  the guidelines.
-  The 'Adopt A Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan', a collaborative effort by Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), State/UTs Governments. The project  aims  to  encourage  companies  from  public  sector,  private sector, corporate citizens, NGOs, individuals and other stakeholders to become 'Monument Mitras' and take up the responsibility of  developing heritage sites and making them tourist friendly, to enhance tourism potential and cultural importance in a planned and phased manner.
-  24x7 Toll Free Multi-Lingual Tourist Helpline 1800111363 was also launched in 10 International Languages and Hindi & English.
-  Launched the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITF) Certification Programme  -  a  digital  initiative  that  aims  at  creating  an  Online learning  platform  with  the  objective  of  creating  a  pool  of  well trained and professional Tourist Facilitators across the country.
-  Initiated the Destination Based Skill Development training programme at 7 Iconic Sites i.e. Taj Mahal at Agra, Humayun Tomb, Red Fort, Qutub Minar at Delhi, Mahabodhi Temple at Bihar, Colva Beach at Goa and Kaziranga at Assam in the last financial year, 2019-20.
-  Under  the  Plan  scheme  'Capacity  Building  for  Service  Providers (CBSP), the Ministry of Tourism has been implementing the 'Hunar Se  Rozgar  Tak'  (HSRT)  to  impart  short  term  duration  training courses having employable skills in certain hospitality sectors.

Further in view of Covid-19 steps that have been taken by Ministry of  Tourism  to  overcome  the  crisis  and  to  strengthen  the  tourism sector is given in Annexure.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1328 ANSWERED ON 19.09.2020 REGARDING INDIA'S SHARE IN WORLD TOURISM

The  following  steps  have  been  taken  by  Ministry  of  Tourism  to overcome  the  crisis  caused  by  Covid-19  pandemic  in  the  tourism sector:

- (i)      Detailed operational  guidelines for  Covid  safety  and hygiene has been prepared in order to create awareness, training and assessment of compliance of the guidelines. The  program  is  aimed  at  building  the  capacity  of  the Hospitality industry particularly small and medium units to restart and grow their business.
- (ii)     A  robust  information  system / comprehensive data base of  various  accommodation  units  throughout  the country has been created for coordinating and ensuring registration of all  unclassified accommodation units.
- (iii)   Operational recommendations  for  hotels, restaurants, B&Bs/  Home  stays  and  Tourism  Service  Providers  have been  formulated  and  issued  on  08.06.2020  to  facilitate smooth resumption of business.
- (iv)    Validity of approval or certifications of hotels and other accommodation units whose project approval / reapproval and classification / re-classification have expired / were likely to expire, has been extended upto 30 th  September, 2020.
- (v) The Ministry, in collaboration with QCI, has developed an initiative called SAATHI (System for Assessment, Awareness & Training for Hospitality Industry), for effective implementation of Guidelines/SOPs issued with reference to COVID 19 and beyond for safe operations of Hotels, Restaurants, B&Bs and other units.
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