Lok Sabha Question No. 204 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-24
Subject: Promotion of Tourism in Gujarat
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.204 ANSWERED ON 24.06.2019

## PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN GUJARAT

## 204.  SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the schemes/programmes being implemented by the  Government  for  promotion  of  tourism  in  the  country particularly in Gujarat;
- (b) the details of the fund provided under the said schemes/programmes  during  the  last  three  years  and  the current year, scheme/programme-wise;
- (c) whether the Government is planning to start any new schemes in  the  Ministry  to  attract  more  foreign  tourists  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (d) the other corrective measures  taken/being  taken  by the Government for  the  better  and  helpful  journey  of  the  foreign tourists?

## ANSWER

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

being implemented by Ministry These

(a) to (c): There are two Schemes of Tourism, Government of India for the promotion of Tourism . are:

- (i) Domestic  Promotion  and  Publicity  including  Hospitality for promotion of Domestic Tourism .
- (ii) Restructured Scheme of Overseas Promotion and Publicity including Marketing Development Assistance to promote Indian tourism in Overseas Markets .

Under these schemes, the Ministry of Tourism, as part of its on -going  activities,  annually  releases  print,  electronic,  online  and outdoor media campaigns in the international and domestic markets,  under  the  Incredible  India  brand -line,  to  promote  various tourism destinations and products of the country, including those in the  state  of  Gujarat . Promotions  are  also  undertaken  through  the Social Media accounts and website of the Ministry . In addition, the Indiatourism Offices in India and overseas disseminate information and undertake various promotional activities with the objective of showcasing  the  varied  tourist  destinations  and  products  of  the country .

The  budget  allocated  for  the  two  schemes  during  the  last three financial years and the current year is as follows : -

| Domestic Promotion and Publicity including Hospitality (Rs . in crore)                                             | Domestic Promotion and Publicity including Hospitality (Rs . in crore)                                             | Domestic Promotion and Publicity including Hospitality (Rs . in crore)                                             |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Year                                                                                                               | BE                                                                                                                 | RE                                                                                                                 |
| 2016 - 17                                                                                                          | 110                                                                                                                | 75                                                                                                                 |
| 2017 - 18                                                                                                          | 110                                                                                                                | 90                                                                                                                 |
| 2018 - 19                                                                                                          | 135                                                                                                                | 127 . 40                                                                                                           |
| 2019 - 20                                                                                                          | 129 . 50                                                                                                           |                                                                                                                    |
| Restructured Scheme of Overseas Promotion and Publicity including Marketing Development Assistance (Rs . in crore) | Restructured Scheme of Overseas Promotion and Publicity including Marketing Development Assistance (Rs . in crore) | Restructured Scheme of Overseas Promotion and Publicity including Marketing Development Assistance (Rs . in crore) |
| Year                                                                                                               | BE                                                                                                                 | RE                                                                                                                 |
| 2016 - 17                                                                                                          | 300                                                                                                                | 223                                                                                                                |
| 2017 - 18                                                                                                          | 300                                                                                                                | 295                                                                                                                |
| 2018 - 19                                                                                                          | 454 . 24                                                                                                           | 416 . 23                                                                                                           |
| 2019 - 20                                                                                                          | 376 . 73                                                                                                           |                                                                                                                    |

(d): Ministry  of  Tourism  has  taken  the  following  measures  for facilitating  tourists  and  providing  them  with  a  safe  and  secure environment:

- (i) Ministry has taken up the matter with the State Governments  and  UT  Administrations for setting up Tourist  Police  at  prominent  tourist  spots . The  State Governments / UT Administrations of Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan,  Jammu  &  Kashmir,  Uttar  Pradesh,  Delhi,
- Punjab,  Madhya  Pradesh  and  Odisha  have  deployed Tourist Police, in one form or the other .
- (ii) The  Ministry  of  Tourism  along  with  all  stakeholders, including the Tourism Departments of all States and UTs, have adopted the 'Code of Conduct for Safe &Honourable Tourism'  which  is  a  set  of  guidelines  to  encourage tourism  activities  to  be  undertaken  with  respect  for basic right like dignity, safety and freedom from exploitation of both tourists and local residents in particular, women and children .
- (iii) The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  launched  the  24x7  Multi -Lingual  Tourist  Info -Helpline  on  the  toll  free  number 1800111363  or  on  a  short  code  1363  in  12  Languages including  10  international  languages  and  in  Hindi  & English in February  2016, for domestic  and  foreign tourists to provide support service in terms of information  relating  to  Travel  in  India  and  also  offers appropriate guidance to tourists in distress while travelling in India .
- (iv) The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  issued  the  Guidelines  on Safety and Security of Tourists for State Governments / Union Territories to stress on the importance  of  safety  and  risk  management,  assist  in identifying best practices and encourage closer cooperation  for  ensuring  a  pleasant  experience  to  the tourists
- .
- (v) The  Ministry  of  Tourism  revamped  the  Incredible  India website, with the aim to provide more information about India  as  a  tourist  destination . The  website  has  a  clean design and intuitive and consistent site -wide navigation system,  with  improved  menu  functionality  that  directs tourists  to  the  information,  most  relevant  to  them . It  is also fully responsive with mobile devices, making it easy to  navigate  on  a  wide  range  of  web  browsers  and portable devices .
- (vi) Incredible India Mobile app has been designed keeping in mind  the  preferences  of  the  modern  traveller . The  app follows the trends  and  technologies  of  international standards and has been equipped with features to assist the traveller in each phase of their journey to India .
- (vii) The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  introduced  24/7  Chat  bot interface  to  assist  tourist  for  better  planning  and  quick query resolutions . Live chat services are also provided on the  website  to  establish  help  and  support  facilities  for tourists,  Travel  industry  stakeholders,  web  and  social media  users . This  bot handles  a  broad  range  of  tasks such as helping visitors by giving information on Tourist places, planning itineraries, finding local information etc . the the fi  facility has been implemented at 88 tourist sites with financial
- (viii) The Ministry of Tourism in association with Department of Telecommunications has taken initiative  of  providing  WI -FI  facility . So  far  Wi -assistance provided by Ministry of Tourism .

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