Lok Sabha Question No. 3207 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-15
Subject: Development of Tourist Spots to Attract Foreign Tourists
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Ajay Nishad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†3207 ANSWERED ON 15.03.2021

## DEVELOPMENT OF TOURIST SPOTS TO ATTRACT FOREIGN TOURISTS

†3207. SHRI AJAY NISHAD:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  tourists  visited  India  and  foreign  exchange revenue generated from the same during each of the last three years and the current year;
- (b) whether the steep decline in arrival of foreign tourists in India is attributed to global slowdown and Corona pandemic;
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  remedial  measures being taken by the Government in this regard;
- (d) whether the Government has formulated any plan to identity and  upgrade  tourist  spots  all  over  the  country  to  attract foreign tourist; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a): On the basis of information received from Bureau of Immigration (BOI), details of Foreign Tourists Arrivals (FTA) during last three years and in January 2021 are given below:

| Year            |   Foreign Tourist Arrivals(FTA)(in Million) |
|-----------------|---------------------------------------------|
| 2018            |                                       10.56 |
| 2019            |                                       10.93 |
| 2020(P)         |                                        2.68 |
| January 2021(P) |                                        0.08 |

P: Provisional

Further,  Ministry  of  tourism,  Government  of  India  does  not maintained data on revenue generated from tourism.

- (b) & (c): No  study  has  been  instituted  by  Ministry  of  Tourism, Government of India to assess the effect of steep decline in arrival of foreign tourists in India attributed to global slowdown and Corona Pandemic.  However,  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  engaged  National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) in January, 2021 to conduct study on 'India and the Coronavirus Pandemic: Economic Losses for Households Engaged in Tourism and Policies for Recovery'. The objective of this study are as follows:
-  Quantify  the  sector-wise  (or  industry-wise)  direct  and indirect impact of tourism activities on overall economy, as  a  whole  and  especially  on  household  income,  which may  be  further  disaggregated  into  different  types  of households like formal and informal.
-  Quantify the sector-wise and overall loss in income of the economy and of the household sector and also the loss in jobs,  due  to  the  impact  of  Coronavirus  pandemic  on  the tourism sector.
-  Estimate  the  impact  of  gradual  opening  up  of  domestic
- tourism activities and of the sectors related to tourism.
-  Estimate  the  likely  impact  of  opening  of  international tourism, in the phased manner.
-  Propose policy measures appropriate to provide relief to the tourism sector, in general, and households involved in tourism related activities, in particular
- (d) & (e): Development of tourist spots and improvement of infrastructure quality, 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 which would result in attracting more foreign tourist to India.

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

-  Under the Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) Programme,  Ministry  of  Tourism  extends  financial  support to approved Tourism Service Providers and State Governments /  UT  Administrations  for  undertaking  tourism promotion in the overseas markets through the India Tourism Offices abroad with active participation in International Tourism Events.
-  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 12 International Languages and Hindi & English.
-  Organization of biennial International Buddhist Conclave.

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