Lok Sabha Question No. 4774 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-23
Subject: Revenue earned from Foreign Tourists in Lakshadweep
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Faizal P.P. Mohammed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4774 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2020

## REVENUE EARNED FROM FOREIGN TOURISTS IN LAKSHADWEEP

4774. SHRI MOHAMMED FAIZAL P.P.:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has conducted any survey to assess the  tourism  potential  of  Lakshadweep  and  if  so,  the  details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) the  details  of  foreign  tourists  that  visited  Lakshadweep  over the past three years, year-wise;
- (c) the  total  estimated  revenue  earned  from  the  foreign  tourists who  visited  Lakshadweep  during  the  last  three  years,  yearwise;
- (d) the details of plans to improve the foreign tourist experience in Lakshadweep and steps taken in this direction; and
- (e) the  details  of  funds  allocated  during  the  last  three  years  for development of tourism in Lakshadweep?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Ministry  of  Tourism,  Government  of  India  has  got  conducted Tourism  Survey  for  Lakshadweep  for  the  period  October,  2017June, 2018 through Nielsen India Pvt. Ltd to collect relevant tourism statistics  which  would  enable  analysing  subtle  trends  as  well  as estimation of foreign and domestic visitors for selected destinations. Some of the findings are at annexure.
- (b): Details of Foreign Tourist Visits (FTV) in Lakshadweep during 2016, 2017 and 2018(latest year for which data has been compiled) are given below:

|     |   2016 |   2017 |   2018 |
|-----|--------|--------|--------|
| FTV |    753 |   1027 |   1313 |

(c): Data  on  State/UT  wise  revenue  earned  from  tourism  is  not centrally maintained in Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

(d) & (e): Development of tourism, is primarily the responsibility of the  concerned  State  Government/Union  Territory  Administration. However,  Ministry of Tourism, Government  of  India under its schemes of Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD and Assistance to Central Agencies, provides central financial assistance to State Governments/Union Territories/Central Agencies for development of tourism related infrastructure and facilities to provide an enriching tourism experience to visitors. The projects under the schemes are identified for development in consultation with State Governments/UT  Administrations  and  are  sanctioned  subject  to availability of funds, submission of suitable detailed project reports, adherence  to  scheme  guidelines  and  utilization  of  funds  released earlier. However, no project under Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD and Central Financial Assistance has been sanctioned during last three years in Lakshadweep.

Further,  Ministry  of  tourism  has  taken  various  steps  to  attract foreign tourist in the country, which inter-alia include the following:

-  Extended E- Visa facility to citizens of several countries.
-  The  Incredible  India  2.0  campaign  launched  with  market specific promotional plans and content creation.
-  24x7  Toll  Free  Multi-Lingual  Tourist  Helpline  1800111363 launched in 10 International Languages and Hindi & English.
-  Organization of biennial International Buddhist Conclave.
-  Organization of Annual International Tourism Mart for promotion of tourism in North Eastern States.
-  Promotion of activities in tourist generating markets overseas through the India Tourism Offices abroad with active participation in International Tourism Events.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENTIN IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.4774  ANSWERED  ON  23.03.2020  REGADING  REVENUE EARNED FROM FOREIGN TOURISTS IN LAKSHADWEEP.

## Total number of Domestic Visitors from outside at the year end

| State         |   Percentage of Overnight Visitors |   Percentage of Domestic Day Visitors |
|---------------|------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| Delhi         |                                 16 |                                    17 |
| Gujarat       |                                  6 |                                     5 |
| Karnataka     |                                  8 |                                    15 |
| Kerala        |                                 31 |                                    27 |
| Maharashtra   |                                 15 |                                    21 |
| Tamil Nadu    |                                  9 |                                     3 |
| Telengana     |                                  3 |                                     2 |
| Uttar Pradesh |                                  2 |                                     3 |
| West Bengal   |                                 10 |                                     7 |

Total  number  of  Foreign  Visitors  (Including  NRI)  by  their  country  of residence

| Country        |   Percentage of Foreign Overnight Visitors |
|----------------|--------------------------------------------|
| Australia      |                                          1 |
| Belgium        |                                          2 |
| Canada         |                                          2 |
| Denmark        |                                          1 |
| Germany        |                                          6 |
| France         |                                         12 |
| Israel         |                                          1 |
| Italy          |                                         28 |
| Japan          |                                          1 |
| Netherlands    |                                          1 |
| Norway         |                                          1 |
| Poland         |                                          2 |
| Portugal       |                                          1 |
| Russia         |                                          2 |
| Slovenia       |                                          2 |
| South Africa   |                                          1 |
| Spain          |                                          1 |
| Sweden         |                                          6 |
| Switzerland    |                                          2 |
| United Kingdom |                                         12 |
| USA            |                                         15 |

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