Lok Sabha Question No. 2267 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-24
Subject: Conventions to Promote Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, DHARMENDRA YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2267 ANSWERED ON 24.12.2018

## CONVENTIONS TO PROMOTE TOURISM

## 2267. DR. PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE:

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

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 and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has issued any advisory to the State Governments to promote conventions in order to attract large scale tourism; and
- (e)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  (MoT)  promotes  India  as  a holistic destination. The MoT has recognized Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) as a 'Niche Tourism' product in order to overcome the aspect of 'seasonality' and to promote India as a 365  days'  destination and  attract tourists with specific interests to India.

The India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB) has been set up under the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism to promote India as a venue for International Conferences and Exhibitions. This non-profit organization,  with  members  comprising  national  airlines,  hotels, travel agents, tour operators, tourist transport operators, conference organizers, etc. participate in International MICE Tourism  trade  fairs  like  IMEX  in  Frankfurt  and  Las  Vegas,  EIBTMBarcelona and AIMEMelbourne along with the Indiatourism overseas offices. India is also being promoted as a preferred MICE destination through the Global Incredible India media campaign and through Road Shows and Seminars conducted by the India Tourism offices overseas.

The  Ministry of Tourism  extends  financial  support  under Market Development Assistance (MDA) scheme to 'Active Members' of  India  Convention  Promotion  Bureau  (ICPB)  towards  bidding  for International Conferences/Conventions, thereby bringing more MICE business and niche tourists to the country which helps in growth of economy  and generation of employment opportunities in the country.

The Ministry of Tourism also provides Central Financial Assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations for development  of  tourism  infrastructure  including  the  setting  up  of convention centres under the existing schemes of the Ministry.

Tourism Sector employs 82 million people. 13.92 million jobs have been created in this sector during the past four years. Tourism

Sector contributes 5.2% to the GDP of the Country.

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