Lok Sabha Question No. 163 (STARRED), answered on 2022-03-14
Subject: Growth of Tourism Sector
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Sunita Duggal

- (a)
- (b)
- (c)
- (d)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION. No. *163 ANSWERED ON 14.03.2022

## GROWTH OF TOURISM SECTOR

*163. SHRIMATI SUNITA DUGGAL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

whether  the  tourism  sector  has  shown  negative  growth  during Covid-19 pandemic period so far; if so, whether the Government has planned some concrete policies for the growth of tourism sector and if so, the details thereof; whether the Government is planning to provide free E-tourist visas to the international tourists and going to open up the international flights in calibrated manner and if so, the details thereof; whether the Government has given special guidelines to States for the growth of tourism sector; and

- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (e):   A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

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STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *163 ANSWERED ON 14.03.2022 REGARDING GROWTH OF TOURISM SECTOR

- (a): Yes,  Sir.  Tourism  Sector  has  shown  negative  growth  during Covid-19 pandemic period.
- (b), (d) & (e): Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy and  Roadmap  for  Development  of  Rural  Tourism  in  India-  An  initiative towards  Atmanirbhar  Bharat,  which  has  been  circulated  to  concerned Central Ministries, all State Governments/UT Administrations and Industry Stakeholders.  The strategy document focuses on the following key pillars:
- (i) Model policies and best practices for rural tourism
- (ii) Digital technologies and platforms for rural tourism
- (iii)
- (iv)
- (v)
- Developing clusters for rural tourism
- Marketing support for rural tourism
- Capacity building of stakeholders
- (vi) Governance and institutional framework

Apart  from  the  above,  in  order  to  promote  India  as  a  destination  for medical  value  travel  and  wellness  tourism,  Ministry  of  Tourism  has formulated a National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism, which has been circulated to concerned Central Ministries, all State  Governments/UT  Administrations  and  Industry  Stakeholders.  The

Strategy has identified the following key pillars:

- (i)
- Develop a brand for India as a wellness destination
- (ii)
- (iii)
- (iv)
- (v)
- Strengthen the ecosystem for medical and wellness tourism
- Enable digitalization by setting up Online MVT Portal
- Enhancement of accessibility for MVT
- Promoting Wellness Tourism
- (vi) Governance and Institutional Framework

Further,  Ministry  of  Tourism  promotes  India  as  a  holistic  tourist destination under the 'Incredible India' brand and promotional activities  are  undertaken  in  Domestic  and  International  markets through its various schemes such as Domestic Promotion & Publicity including  Hospitality  (DPPH)  and  Overseas  Promotion  &  Publicity including  Market  Development  Assistance  (OPMD).  Promotions  are also regularly undertaken through the website (www.incredibleindia.org) and the Social Media accounts  of the Ministry.

Post  Covid-19  pandemic,  the  Ministry  has  effectively  used  its  social media handles to raise Social Awareness  through its messages, sensitizing  social  distance,  safe  and  responsible  travel,  use  of  mask while travelling, downloading  of Arogya  Setu App, promoting the initiatives undertaken for the industry etc. In order to promote India as a destination  overseas,  the  Ministry  adopts  integrated  marketing  and promotional strategy, and a synergized campaign in association with the Travel  Trade,  State  Governments  and  Indian  Missions  and  includes participation in international Fairs & Exhibitions, organizing Know India Seminars, Workshops, Road Shows  and India Evenings, Brochure Support, Joint Advertising with Travel Agents/ Tour Operators, organizing and supporting Indian Food and Cultural Festivals, publication of brochures and inviting the tour operators, media personalities, opinion makers etc. to visit the country under the Hospitality Programme of the Ministry.

(c): The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India has relaxed the  restrictions  for  all  foreign  nationals  intended  to  visit  India  for Tourism purpose subject to the Covid related guidelines of the Ministry of  Health  and  Family  Welfare  (MoH&FW).  The  E-Tourist  Visa/Tourist Visa  is  fully  restored  for  all  individual  foreign  nationals  intended  to visit India for Tourism purpose w.e.f. 15 th  November, 2021. Initially, the e-tourist/tourist  Visa  is  being  issued  with  the  validity  of  30  days. Further, the Government of India announced first 5 lakh free visa fee to international tourists.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India after deliberation with all stakeholders & keeping in view the decline in the Covid-19 cases has announced to resume scheduled commercial international passenger services  to/from  India  from  March  27,  2022,  i.e.  start  of  the  summer schedule 2022.

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