Lok Sabha Question No. 776 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-23
Subject: Promotion of Tourism in Lakshadweep
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: FAIZAL P.P. MOHAMMED

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.776 ANSWERED ON 23.07.2018

## PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN LAKSHADWEEP

## 776.  MOHAMMED FAIZAL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to improve the tourism sector in Lakshadweep and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  representations from Lakshadweep administration in this regard and if so, the response of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of  lack of Air Connectivity, hotels/ accommodation and other facilities/services  to  the  tourists  in  the  Islands  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (d) the  funds  made available and likely to be made available for the purpose to promote tourism in the Islands; and
- (e) the  tourists  arrival,  both  domestic  and  international  in  the Lakshadweep Group of Islands during the last three years and the current year and the revenue earned therefrom, year-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI K.J. ALPHONS)

(a)  and  (b):  Yes,  Madam.  NITI  Aayog  has  taken  up  the  holistic development  of  identified Islands and  the final site potential development report has been prepared for five islands in Lakshadweep, namely, Minicoy Island, Bangaram Island, Thinnakara Island,  Cheriyam  Island  and  Suheli  Island.  The  development  of projects for identified islands has been planned in consultation with Lakshadweep Administration.

(c)  and  (d):  The  holistic  development  plan  includes  the  aspects  of hotel  accommodation,  connectivity  and  other  tourist  facilities  as per  the  carrying  capacity  of  these  islands.  Further,  an  Airport  at Minicoy  has  been  proposed  for  construction  by  Indian  Air  Force which would also be for use by civilian aircrafts.

While no specific funds have been allocated by the Ministry for Lakshadweep Islands, the Ministry of Tourism promotes India as a holistic destination as part of its on-going activities, releases print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaigns in the domestic and international  markets,  under  the  Incredible  India  brand-line,  to promote tourism products and destinations of the country including the Lakshadweep Islands. MoT also promotes the tourism destinations  and  products  through  its  websites  and  publicity  and promotional material produced by it from time to time.

(e): The Domestic Tourist Visits (DTVs) and Foreign Tourist Visits (FTVs) in Lakshadweep during the last three years are as under:

|   Year |   DTVs |   FTVs |
|--------|--------|--------|
|   2015 |  17241 |   1173 |
|   2016 |   8716 |    753 |
|   2017 |   6620 |   1027 |

The information regarding State/UT-wise revenue earned through  tourism  is  not  available  in  the  Ministry.  However,  the Foreign  Exchange  Earnings  through  Tourism  during  the  last  three years in the country are as under:

(Rs. in Crore)

|   Year |   Foreign Exchange Earning from Tourism |
|--------|-----------------------------------------|
|   2015 |                                  135193 |
|   2016 |                                  154146 |
|   2017 |                                  177874 |

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