Lok Sabha Question No. 90 (STARRED), answered on 2021-02-08
Subject: Revival of Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Kalyan Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*90 ANSWERED ON 08.02.2021

## REVIVAL OF TOURISM

*90. SHRI KALYAN BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a)
- (b)
- (c)
- (d) Government thereon?

whether it is a fact that COVID-19 has put 85 million tourism jobs in the country at risk; whether  the  United  Nations  World  Tourism  Organization  has estimated a reduction of 58 per cent to 78 per cent in tourist traffic across the world and in India; whether the Tourism Association in the country and the State Government Departments have proposed to redefine, refocus and  change  for  going  forward  towards  survive,  revive  and thrive to tourism for their survival therein; and if so, the details of proposals received and action taken by the

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

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STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  to  (d)  OF  THE  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *90 ANSWERED ON 08.02.2021 REGARDING REVIVAL OF TOURISM

- (a): Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has engaged National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) in January, 2021 to conduct study on 'India and the Coronavirus Pandemic: Economic Losses for Households Engaged in Tourism and Policies for Recovery'. The objectives of the study includes following:
- i.  Quantifying  the  sector-wise  and  overall  loss  in  income  of  the economy and of the household sector and also the loss in jobs, due  to  the  impact  of  Coronavirus  pandemic  on  the  tourism sector
- ii.  Propose  policy  measures  appropriate  to  provide  relief  to  the tourism sector, in general, and households involved in tourism related  activities,  in  particular,  based  on  feedback  received from various stakeholders.

(b): Yes, Sir.  As per UNWTO World Tourism barometer for May 2020, UNWTO  estimated  a  reduction  of  58  per  cent  to  78  per  cent  in tourist  traffic  across  the  world.  Three  scenarios  were assumed on the  basis  of  possible  dates  of  lifting  of  travel    restrictions  and gradual re-opening of international borders.

- i. Scenario 1 (-58% in arrivals in 2020) if travel restrictions lifted in early July
- ii. Scenario  2  (-70%  in  2020)  based  on  the  same  in  early September
- iii. Scenario  3  (-78%  in  2020)  based  on  the  same  in  early December

Additionally,  according  to  UNWTO  World  Tourism  barometer published in January 2021, UNWTO estimated a reduction of 73.9% in 2020 over the previous year International tourist arrivals (overnight visitors)  across the world. Whereas, UNWTO estimated a reduction of  53.5%  International  tourist  arrivals  (overnight  visitors)  to  India  in 2020 over the previous year.

(c)  &  (d): With  a  view  to  prepare  for  a  post-COVID  19  revival,  the Ministry of Tourism issued Operational Recommendations for different segments of Tourism Service Providers in the Travel sector which  are  formulated  in  consultation  with  State  Governments, tourism / hospitality stakeholders and guidelines issued time to time by the Ministry of Health for facilitating smooth and safe resumption of business.

Further, the Ministry of Tourism has issued modified guidelines for  Recognition  of  Tourism  Service  Providers  dated  08.12.2020 which would be effective from January, 2021. As per the modified guidelines,  Category  of  Greenshoot  /  Start-up-  Agencies  is  being introduced for the first time. This is in keeping with the policy of the Govt.  of  India  for  encouraging  Start-Ups  and  will  also  further  the cause of 'Atmanirbhar India'.

With an aim to incentivize stakeholders in the  Tourism industry,  the  Guidelines  for  the  Scheme  of  Market  Development Assistance (MDA) for providing financial support to stakeholders for the promotion of Domestic Tourism have been modified to enhance the  scope  and  reach  of  the  scheme,  so  as  to  provide  maximum benefits to the stakeholders. Additional promotional activities have been  incorporated  including  online  promotions  and  the  extent  of financial assistance permissible has been enhanced.

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