Lok Sabha Question No. 1326 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-06
Subject: Promotion of Tourism in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: T.R.V.S. Ramesh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1326

## ANSWERED ON 06.12.2021

## PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN TAMIL NADU

1326. SHRI T. R. V. S. RAMESH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote  tourism  in  the State  of  Tamil  Nadu  for  the  tourists  visiting  the  State  for pilgrimage;
- (b) the details of the Government's tourism policy for sustaining the livelihood of the marginalized population dependent on tourism;
- whether there  is  any  policy  of  the  Government  for  the  artisans engaged in various  art  and  craft  ventures  specifically  aimed  at income  generation  from  domestic  and  international  tourists  /
- (c) travellers;
- (d) if so, the impact of such policy outlays benefitting the marginalized population and the artisans; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof, district-wise?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF TOURISM

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a): Ministry  of  Tourism  promotes  India  in  a  holistic  manner, including Tamil Nadu. As part of its on-going activities, it releases domestic  and  international print, electronic and online  media campaigns  under  the 'Incredible India' brand-line, to  promote various  tourism  destinations  and  products  of  the  country.  The Incredible India campaign promotes the destination under different themes including heritage, wellness, adventure, spiritual etc. through  its  Schemes  of  'Domestic  Promotion  &  Publicity  including Hospitality  (DPPH)'  and  'Overseas  Promotion  &  Publicity  Including Market  Development  Assistance'  (OPMD). . Under  the 'National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage

Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)', Ministry of Tourism has provided financial assistance for the development of the following two sites in Tamil Nadu: -

|   SI NO | Name of the Project (under PRASHAD Scheme) Year of Sanction   |         | Approved cost (Rs.)   |
|---------|---------------------------------------------------------------|---------|-----------------------|
|       1 | Development of Kanchipuram                                    | 2016-17 | 13.99 crore           |
|       2 | Development of Vellankani                                     | 2016-17 | 4.86 crore            |

(b): 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,  culture,  art  and  craft, lesser  known  destinations  in  the  country  to  promote  domestic tourism.

Ministry  of  Tourism  further  organises  Bharat  Parv,  Paryatan Parv etc. which also provides a platform for the promotion of art and craft, heritage and cultural diversity of the country.

(c) to (e): As per the information received from the Development  Commissioner  (Handicrafts)  Ministry  of  Textile,  it provides financial assistance for setting up of Crafts Village. It is a modern-day concept wherein craft promotion and tourism are being taken up simultaneously. Under these villages, the artisans live and work  at  the  same  place  and  are  provided  the  opportunity  to  sell their products thereby ensuring livelihood to the artisans.

The  basic  objective  is  to  select  areas  that  are  surrounded and  connected  by  major  tourist  destination/circuit  and  have  a traditional  art  and  craft  heritage,  which  attract  maximum  tourist footfalls. It helps to increase the income of the artisans through the design innovations and sales of their handcrafted products at work place  and  in  connecting  and  disseminating  the  heritage,  culture, food and other aspects of the area, which also ensures livelihood to the other sectors as well. A Craft Tourism Village has been setup at

Ragurajpur and 12 craft villages have been sanctioned throughout the country .

Office  of  the  Development  Commissioner  (Handlooms)  has further  informed  that  they  have  taken  initiative  to  develop  Craft Handloom  Villages  in  select  Handloom  pockets  of  the  country  on important tourist circuits.  5 locations have been identified for Craft Handloom  Villages  at  1.  Sharan  (Kullu,  Himachal  Pradesh),  2. Kanihama  (Budgam,  Srinagar),  3.  Kovalam  (Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala),  4.  Rampur  (Bodh  Gaya,  Bihar)  and  5.  Mohpara  (Golaghat, Assam).

*****