Lok Sabha Question No. 5153 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Transport Facilities to Tourists in Meghalaya
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Vincent H Pala

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5153

## ANSWERED ON 04.04.2022

## TRANSPORT FACILITIES TO TOURISTS IN MEGHALAYA

## 5153. SHRI VINCENT H. PLAL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has undertaken any action to improve/incentivise  the  improvement  of  the  transport  to  tourist destinations in outskirts of Meghalaya;
- (b)    whether the Government has undertaken any steps in training of guides for tourists to aid them with foreign languages; and
- (c) whether the Government has undertaken any steps to incentivise reduction of flight fares to North Eastern Region to boost tourism?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF TOURISM                                     (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a): The Ministry of Tourism had shared a list of 50 Tourism destinations including Iconic Sites and UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the  first  phase  and  subsequently  of  114  routes  in  the  Second  phase with  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  &  Highways,  State  Government  and Border Road organization for improving road connectivity.

The list of tourist destinations recommended by the state Government of Meghalaya has also been shared with Ministry of Road Transport & Highway for improving road connectivity.

- (b): The Ministry of Tourism has launched the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITF) Certification Programme- a digital initiative that aims at creating an Online learning platform with the objective of creating a pool  of  well  trained  and  professional  Tourist  Facilitators  across  the country. The system provides basic, advanced (heritage and adventure), spoken language and refresher courses for candidates. The candidates can pursue these online courses from anywhere and at any time and at their own pace. The online courses can be accessed from

different  digital  devices.  The  Programme  has  been  made  available online w.e.f. 01.01.2020. This certification programme  has  been conducted  by  Indian  Institute  of  Tourism  and  Travel  Management (IITTM) Gwalior. Regional Level Guides (RLGs) have also been inducted in the Advance Stage (IITG-Heritage) of this programme and they have been renamed as  Incredible  India  Tourist  Guide  (IITG)  on  completion  of  Refresher Course. Some of them are already linguistic experts having knowledge of foreign language. In  addition,  Ministry  of  Tourism  also  conducts  Linguistic  Tourist Facilitators  (LTF)  Programme  imparting  training  to  the  candidates  of Foreign Languages such as Thai, Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese. (c): Air  fares  are  not  regulated  by  the  Governments.  Under  the provision of Sub Rule (1) of Rule 135, aircraft Rules 1937, airlines are free  to  fix  reasonable  tariff  having  regard  to  all  relevant  factors, including the cost of operation, characteristics of service, reasonable profit and the generally prevailing tariff. Air fare so established by the airlines is published on their respective website under the provision of Sub Rule (2) of Rule 135, Aircraft Rules 1937. However,  Ministry  of  Civil  Aviation  launched  Regional  Connectivity Scheme  (RCS)  -  UDAN  (Ude  Desh  ka  Aam  Nagrik)  on  21-10-2016  to stimulate regional air connectivity and making air travel affordable to the masses. While launching the UDAN Scheme in 2016, the Government  had  capped  the  Air  fare  at  Rs.2500  for  a  distance  of approximately  500  km  (equivalent  to  one-hour  flight)  per  seat  under Regional Connectivity routes. The capping is subject to indexation as per  the  formula  specified  in  the  UDAN  Scheme  document.   States  of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand, North Eastern Region  of  India,  Andaman  and  Nicobar  Islands  and  Lakshadweep Islands  have  been  included  in  the  Scheme  Document  as  Priority Area(s). The Scheme document offers more benefits, including Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for Priority Area(s), to interested airline operators for participating in the bids for award of routes.

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