Lok Sabha Question No. 2224 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-08
Subject: Schemes to Rejuvenate the Tourism Sector
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Anto  Antony

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2224 ANSWERED ON 08.03.2021

## SCHEMES TO REJUVENATE THE TOURISM SECTOR

## 2224. SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a)
- the State of tourism industry in post lock down period;
- (b) the  details  of  schemes/steps  being  taken  to  rejuvenate  the tourism sector;
- (c) whether  the  India  Tourism  Development  Corporation  makes investment in each State in an equitable manner; and
- (d) if so, the details and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Sir,   the  signs  of  improvement  are  visible  in  the  domestic tourism  segment  in  States/UTs  like  Jammu  &  Kashmir,  Himachal Pradesh,  Uttarakhand,  Goa  and  Andaman  &  Nicobar  Islands  etc. The  vaccination  process  has  also  created  a  positive  perception about travelling and the numbers are expected to help the industry attain revival and recovery.
- (b): The following steps have been taken to overcome the crisis caused by Covid-19 pandemic in the tourism sector:
- i. Detailed operational guidelines for Covid safety and hygiene for  hotels,  restaurants,  B&Bs/  Home  stays  and  Tourism Service  Providers  have  been  formulated  and  issued  on 08.06.2020 to facilitate smooth resumption of business.
- ii. Validity  of  approval  or  certifications  of  hotels  and  other accommodation  units  whose  project  approval/re-approval
- and classification/re-classification have expired/were likely to expire, has been extended upto 30 th  April, 2021.
- iii. The  Ministry  has  developed  an  initiative  called  SAATHI (System for Assessment, Awareness & Training for Hospitality Industry), for effective implementation of Guidelines/SOPs  issued  with  reference  to  COVID  19  and beyond  for  safe  operations  of  Hotels,  Restaurants,  B&Bs and other units.
- iv. Operational Recommendations for safe resumption of business  with  easing  of  lockdown  restrictions  have  been issued  for  various  segments  of  the  travel  and  hospitality industry and circulated amongst all stakeholders.
- v. Recognition of Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Tourist Transport  Operators  by  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  been extended  automatically  by  six  months.  Those  who  have submitted applications for recognition by the Ministry have been given provisional recognition for six months, pending completion of required procedures.
- vi. In addition to the above steps taken by Ministry of Tourism, other agencies/Ministries of Government  of  India  have declared  stimulus  packages  like  loan  moratorium,  waived off  PF  contribution,  deferment  of  TCS  up  to  October  2020, collateral  free  automatic  loan  under  Atmanirbhar  Bharat package etc. to revive the economy and industry including units of the hospitality industry.
- (c) & (d): India  Tourism  Development  Corporation  (ITDC)  Limited does not get any annual grant from the Government of India under any  scheme,  for  its expenses.  It is a Central  Public  Sector Enterprise  (CPSE)  under  the  Ministry  of  Tourism,  Government  of India responsible to generate its business and meet its obligations, from its resources. ITDC may be contracted by any party (Government, private, etc.) to implement any project, etc., requiring expertise  in  tourism.  Due  to  the  ongoing  Disinvestment  Policy  of the  Government  of  India  and  the  negative  impact  of  the  ongoing Novel Corona Virus COVID 19 pandemic worldwide including India, ITDC is unlikely to make further capital expenditure on its existing hotels, etc.

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