Lok Sabha Question No. 1682 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-02
Subject: Improvement of Facilities in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1682 ANSWERED ON 02.03.2020

## IMPROVEMENT OF FACILITIES IN TAMIL NADU

## 1682. SHRIMATI KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the study by World Trade and  Tourism  Council  -  India  Initiative,  which  found  that  the State of Tamil Nadu attracts most international tourists in the country; and
- (b) whether the Government has taken any measures to improve the facilities and tourism-friendly initiatives, particularly in the State of Tamil Nadu and the Central Government expenditure for tourism in the State of Tamil Nadu since 2014?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): As per the report '2019 India, State Ranking Survey' prepared by    Hotelivate  in  association  with    World  Travel  and  Tourism Council-India  Initiative,  Tamil  Nadu  stands  first  in  International Tourists Visits in 2018.
- (b): 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  including  to  the State Government of Tamil Nadu for improvement of tourism related infrastructure  and  facilities.  Details  of  projects  sanctioned  since

2014  under  the  schemes  of  Swadesh  Darshan  and  PRASHAD  in Tamil Nadu are attached as annexure.

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.

In addition to this, Ministry of Tourism launched the 'Adopt a Heritage:  Apni  Dharohar,  Apni  Pehchaan'  project  for  developing tourism  amenities  at  heritage/natural/tourist  sites  spread  across India  for  making  them  tourist  friendly,  in  a  planned  and  phased manner.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (b)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1682 ANSWERED ON 02.03.2020 REGARDING IMPROVEMENT OF FACILITIES IN TAMIL NADU.

(Rs. in Crore)

| Name of The Scheme   | Name of the Project                             | Amount Sanctioned   | Amount Released   |
|----------------------|-------------------------------------------------|---------------------|-------------------|
| Swadesh Darshan      | Development of Chennai- Mamamallapuram -        | 74.58               | 59.66             |
|                      | Rameshwaram - Kulasekaranpattinam - Kanyakumari |                     |                   |
| PRASHAD              | Development of Kanchipuram                      | 16.48               | 13.18             |
|                      | Development of Vellankani                       | 5.60                | 4.48              |

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