Lok Sabha Question No. 320 (STARRED), answered on 2022-08-08
Subject: Promotion of Tourism in Lakshadweep
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Kaushalendra Kumar, Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*320 ANSWERED ON 08.08.2022

## PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN LAKSHADWEEP

## †*320. SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote  tourism industry in Lakshadweep;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  develop  Cherium  Island  of Lakshadweep by giving it the status of tourism industry;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to expand the present air and sea services in view of tourism;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

- (a) to (e): A Statement is Laid on the Table of the House.

********

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*320 ANSWERED ON 08.08.2022 REGARDING PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN LAKSHADWEEP

(a): Ministry of Tourism promotes the country from tourism perspective, including  Lakshadweep  in  a  holistic  manner. As  part  of  its  on-going activities, it releases global print, electronic and online media campaigns in important and potential markets overseas for the promotion  of  various  tourist  destinations  and  products  of  the  country, under the 'Incredible India' brand-line, through 'Overseas Promotion and Publicity including Market Development assistance' (OPMD) and within the country through 'Domestic Promotion and Publicity including Hospitality' (DPPH) Schemes. Promotion of the destinations and different themes including leisure , adventure, luxury, cruise tourism etc. are also regularly undertaken through the website (www.incredibleindia.org) and the Social Media accounts of the Ministry. Further, the domestic India Tourism offices carry out regular activities and events for the promotion of tourism in the country.

The Ministry of Tourism, through its India Tourism Offices Overseas along  with  Indian  Missions  abroad  endeavours  to  position  India  as  a preferred  tourism  destination  in  the  tourism  generating  markets  to promote various tourism products and destinations including Lakshadweep and to increase India's share in the global tourism market. The objectives are met through an integrated marketing and promotional strategy, global media campaign and a synergized promotional measures in  association  with  the  Travel  trade,  State  Governments  and  Indian Missions overseas.

Apart  from  this,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  under  its'  Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) Programme extends financial support to approved Tourism Service Providers and State Governments/UT Administrations  for  undertaking  tourism  promotion  in  the  overseas markets.  Further,  under  Market  Development  Assistance  (MDA)  for promotion  of  Domestic  Tourism,  the  stakeholders  are  provided  with financial  support  for  the  promotion  of  Domestic  Tourism.  Additional promotional activities have been incorporated including online promotions and the extent of financial assistance permissible has been enhanced. Tourism Departments of State Governments/UT Administrations  are  also  now  eligible  for  obtaining  financial  support under the scheme.

In addition, Lakshdweep Administration has informed that they are engaged in development of sustainable eco-tourism projects at Kadmat, Minicoy and Suheli Islands under the aegis of NITI Aayog. They are also developing  High-end  Tourist  Resort  facilities  in  Kavaratti,  Agatti  and Bangaram  group  of  Islands  on  priority  basis  and  are  intended  to strengthen the water sports activities at various tourist islands to meet the  requirements  of  tourists  visiting  these  islands.  To  promote  Scuba diving and to position Lakshdweep as a prime location for scuba diving in the world map, they are developing Scuba Diving Centers in Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Minicoy, Kadmat and Bangaram Islands. The UT Administration of  Lakshdweep  has  taken  steps  for  development  of  Islands  through Public-Private participation.

- (b): According Industry  Status  to  hotels,  is  within  the  domain  of  the State  Governments.  The  Ministry  of  Tourism,  Government  of  India  has strongly advised all the States to provide 'Industry Status' to hospitality projects by issuing suitable policy guidelines to provide capital subsidy on new investments to hospitality projects and power tariff, water tariff & property tax at industrial rates to encourage investment in the sector. States such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand have already taken steps in this direction.

Lakshadweep Administration has informed that they have initiated process to develop eco-tourism project in various islands having tourism potential in which, Cheriyam Island is also included.

- (c) to (e): Connectivity is the most important component for development of tourism in the region. To achieve this goal, the Regional Connectivity  Scheme  -  Ude  Deshka  Aam  Nagrik  (RCS-UDAN)  was launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, to facilitate/stimulate regional

air  connectivity  by  making  it  affordable  for  the  common  public  of  the country,  with  the  purpose  of  further  improving  connectivity  to  the important tourist places including Iconic sites, on the recommendation of Ministry of Tourism, 46 tourism routes have been taken by the bidding airlines in the RCS UDAN 3.0, launched by Ministry of Civil Aviation. Out of these, 31 tourism routes are operational as on 31.07.2022 Annexure-I. A total of Rs. 104.19 crore approx. has been reimbursed to the Airport Authority  of  India  in  the  form  of  Viability  Gap  Funding  (VGF)  during Financial Year 2020-21 and 2021-22.

Further, Ministry of Tourism has given in-principle approval for 28 new  tourism  routes  (Annexure-II)  to  be  included  in  the  subsequent bidding  process  of  RCS  UDAN  scheme.  However,  this  is  subject  to extension of validity of the Champion Service Sector scheme for tourism sector and additional funds to Ministry of Tourism for this purpose.

The coastline of the country, including the region of Lakshdweep Islands has enormous potential to develop cruise tourism, both international  and  domestic.  To  harness  this,  a  Task  Force  has  been constituted  with  Secretary,  Ministry  of  Tourism  as  the  Chairman  and Secretary,  Ministry  of  Shipping  as  the  Co-chairman.  The  Task  Force consists of representatives from various port trusts, Ministries of Health, Home  Affairs,  External Affairs,  Customs,  CISF,  Coastal  States, etc. The 13 th  meeting of the Task Force on Cruise Tourism was held on 27.04.2022.

Further, UT Administration of Lakshdweep has informed that they have  initiated  the  process  for  expansion  of  Agatti  Airport  to  facilitate operation  of  bigger  aircrafts.  As  on  today,  only  ATR-72  aircrafts  can operate. They have also informed that in-principle approval for development of a new civil-military dual purpose airport in Minicoy has been given by the Ministry of Defense.

******

ANNEXURE - I STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (c) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*320 ANSWERED ON 08.08.2022 REGARDING PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN LAKSHADWEEP

## 31 operational tourism routes opted by bidding airlines under RCS UDAN 3.0

|   S. No. | Route                        | Status    | Date of commencement   |
|----------|------------------------------|-----------|------------------------|
|        1 | Agra to Bhopal               | Commenced | 28.03.2021             |
|        2 | Bhopal to Agra               | Commenced | 28.03.2021             |
|        3 | Bengaluru to Mysuru          | Commenced | 07.06.2019             |
|        4 | Mysuru to Bengaluru          | Commenced | 07.06.2019             |
|        5 | Dibrugarh to Dimapur         | Commenced | 28.03.2021             |
|        6 | Dimapur to Dibrugarh         | Commenced | 28.03.2021             |
|        7 | Dimapur to Imphal            | Commenced | 07.12.2019             |
|        8 | Imphal to Dimapur            | Commenced | 07.12.2019             |
|        9 | Agartala to Aizawl           | Commenced | 29.02.2020             |
|       10 | Aizawl to Agartala           | Commenced | 29.02.2020             |
|       11 | Ahmedabad to Udaipur         | Commenced | 25.03.2019             |
|       12 | Udaipur to Ahmedabad         | Commenced | 25.03.2019             |
|       13 | Amritsar to Jaipur           | Commenced | 31.03.2019             |
|       14 | Jaipur to Amritsar           | Commenced | 31.03.2019             |
|       15 | Amritsar to Kolkata          | Commenced | 01.12.2019             |
|       16 | Kolkata to Amritsar          | Commenced | 01.12.2019             |
|       17 | Amritsar to Patna            | Commenced | 28.08.2020             |
|       18 | Patna to Amritsar            | Commenced | 28.08.2020             |
|       19 | Bhopal to Udaipur            | Commenced | 31.03.2019             |
|       20 | Udaipur to Bhopal            | Commenced | 31.03.2019             |
|       21 | Bhubaneshwar to Varanasi     | Commenced | 31.01.2020             |
|       22 | Varanasi to Bhubaneshwar     | Commenced | 31.01.2020             |
|       23 | Delhi to Calicut (Kozhikode) | Commenced | 24.01.2021             |
|       24 | Calicut (Kozhikode) to Delhi | Commenced | 24.01.2021             |

|   25. | Delhi to Khajuraho           | Commenced   | 18.02.2022   |
|-------|------------------------------|-------------|--------------|
|    26 | Khajuraho to Delhi           | Commenced   | 18.02.2022   |
|    27 | Dibrugarh to Imphal          | Commenced   | 12.07.2021   |
|    28 | Imphal to Dibrugarh          | Commenced   | 12.07.2021   |
|    29 | Rajamundhry to Vishakapatnam | Commenced   | 15.06.2019   |
|    30 | Vishakapatnam to Rajamundhry | Commenced   | 15.06.2019   |
|    31 | Varanasi to Patna            | Commenced   | 21.08.2020   |

***********

ANNEXURE - II STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (c) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*320 ANSWERED ON 08.08.2022 REGARDING PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN LAKSHADWEEP New Tourism  routes  for  which  In-principle  approval  has  been  given  to

M/o Civil Aviation

|   Sl. No. | New Tourism Routes for RCS UDAN   | Status                    |
|-----------|-----------------------------------|---------------------------|
|         1 | Shillong to Silchar               | Yet to be operationalized |
|         2 | Silchar to Shillong               | -do-                      |
|         3 | Shillong to Agartala              | -do-                      |
|         4 | Agartala to Shillong              | -do-                      |
|         5 | Passighat to Guwahati             | -do-                      |
|         6 | Guwahati to Passighat             | -do-                      |
|         7 | Shillong to Imphal                | -do-                      |
|         8 | Imphal to Shillong                | -do-                      |
|         9 | Guwahati to Shillong              | -do-                      |
|        10 | Shillong to Guwahati              | -do-                      |
|        11 | Varanasi to Gorakhpur             | -do-                      |
|        12 | Gorakhpur to Varanasi             | -do-                      |
|        13 | Lucknow to Prayagraj              | -do-                      |
|        14 | Prayagraj to Lucknow              | -do-                      |
|        15 | Kolkata to Deoghar                | -do-                      |
|        16 | Deoghar to Kolkata                | -do-                      |
|        17 | Deoghar to Ranchi                 | -do-                      |
|        18 | Ranchi to Deoghar                 | -do-                      |
|        19 | Deoghar to Patna                  | -do-                      |
|        20 | Patna to Deoghar                  | -do-                      |
|        21 | Kargil to Leh                     | -do-                      |
|        22 | Leh to Kargil                     | -do-                      |
|        23 | Srinagar to Kargil                | -do-                      |
|        24 | Kargil to Srinagar                | -do-                      |

|   25. | Bangalore to Vidyanagar(Hampi)   | -do-   |
|-------|----------------------------------|--------|
|    26 | Vidyanagar(Hampi) to Bangalore   | -do-   |
|    27 | Hyderabad to Vidyanagar(Hampi)   | -do-   |
|    28 | Vidyanagar(Hampi) to Hyderabad   | -do-   |

******