Lok Sabha Question No. 4369 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-22
Subject: Revenue Earned from Tourism Sector
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Prathap Simha, Bhagwanth Khuba, Chandrani Murmu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4369 ANSWERED ON 22.03.2021

## REVENUE EARNED FROM TOURISM SECTOR

4369. SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA: SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA: MS CHANDRANI MURMU:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  total  revenue  generated  and  foreign  exchange  earned  by the Government through the tourism sector during the last two years;
- (b) the measures taken by the Government to improve the tourism potential in India, State-wise details;
- (c) whether the Government is considering to add any new circuit under Swadesh Darshan Scheme; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Ministry  of  tourism,  Government  of  India  does  not  maintain data  on  revenue  generated  from  tourism.  Further,  the  details  of Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE) through tourism during 2018 and 2019 are given below:

|   Year |   FEE (Rs. Crore) |
|--------|-------------------|
|   2018 |            194881 |
|   2019 |            211661 |

(b): The Ministry of Tourism promotes India as a holistic destination including its rich cultural, historical, religious  and natural heritage. The Ministry of Tourism through its overseas India tourism Offices endeavours to position India in the tourism generating markets as a preferred tourism destination and promote various  Indian  tourism  products  to  increase  India's  share  in  the global tourism market. The specific elements of promotional efforts undertaken  in  overseas  markets  include  advertising  in  the  Print, Electronic, Online and Outdoor Media, participation in International Fairs  &  Exhibitions,  organising  Know  India  Seminars,  Workshops, Road  Shows,  Printing/Production  of Brochures  and  Collaterals, inviting members of the Media and Travel Trade to visit the country under the Hospitality Programme.

The Ministry of Tourism is according priority to the development of tourism in the country. It has launched the 'Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme'  for  integrated  development  of  theme based  tourist  circuits  and  the  'National  Mission  on  Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive' (PRASHAD) Scheme to beautify and improve amenities and infrastructure at pilgrimage sites.

The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  launched  the  Dekho  Apna  Desh initiative in January 2020 with the objective of creating awareness among  the  citizens  about  the  rich  heritage  and  culture  of  the country and to promote domestic tourism. This initiative is in line with the 15th August 2019 address of the Honourable Prime Minister asking  every  citizen  to  visit  at  least  15  destinations  by  the  year 2022.

(c) & (d): Development and Promotion  of  Tourism  is  primarily  the responsibility of the State Government/Union Territory Administration. However, the Ministry of Tourism, under the 'Swadesh  Darshan'  scheme  is  developing  thematic  circuits  in  the country  in  planned  and  prioritized  manner  in  order  to  develop tourism  infrastructure  at  multiple  destinations  in  all  States/UTs. Under the scheme, fifteen thematic circuits have been identified for development,  namely,  North-East,  Buddhist,  Himalayan,  Coastal, Krishna,  Desert,  Tribal,  Eco,  Wildlife,  Rural,  Spiritual,  Ramayana, Heritage, Tirthankar and Sufi Circuit. Submission of project proposals by the State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations  under  the  scheme  is  a  continuous  process.  The projects  for  development  are  identified  in  consultation  with  the 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.  Currently, there is no proposal under consideration for sanctioning under Swadesh Darshan scheme.

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