Lok Sabha Question No. 5194 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-03
Subject: Re-establishment of India as Tourist Paradise
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Pritam Gopinath Munde, Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Rahul Ramesh Shewale

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5194 ANSWERED ON 03.04.2023

## RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF INDIA AS TOURIST PARADISE

## 5194. DR. PRITAM GOPINATHRAO MUNDE:

SHRI RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE:

SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  has  been  a  lot  of  praise  for  India  as  a  tourist destination, however, poor form of sanitation, safety and transportation related issues are dragging down Indian tourism's r eputation;
- (b) if so, the response of Government thereon;
- (c) whether  there  is  a  need  to  promote  India's  diversity  and  rich heritage to re-establish its position as a tourist paradise;
- (d) if  so,  the  steps  taken  so  far  by  the  Government  and  success achieved so far;
- (e) whether  lack  of  safety  in  India  is  among  the  most  important reasons foreign tourists avoid visiting it;
- (f) if so, the directions issued by the Government in this regard;
- (g) whether there is a need for promotion and balanced development of national heritage projects with cultural, historical and tourism value to leverage the unique advantages of Indian culture; and
- (h) if  so,  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  use  tourism  to preserve the country's heritage?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM                          (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a)&(e):  There  has  been  a  lot  of  praise  for  India  as  a  tourist destination. India's  share  in  world's  International  Tourist  Arrivals

(ITAs) has increased to 1.54% in 2021 (Provisional) which was 0.64% during 2013.

- (b)  &  (f):  Considering  the  importance  of  cleanliness  &  hygiene, Ministry of Tourism has been implementing the Swachhta Action Plan (SAP)  activities through  Indian  Institute  of  Tourism  and  Travel Management (IITTM), Gwalior, Central Institute of Hotel Managements (CIHMs), State Institute of Hotel Managements (SIHMs) and Food Craft Institutes (FCIs) across the country.

In  addition  to  above,  Tourism  Awareness/Sensitization  programmes for  existing  service  providers  are  also  conducted  under  Capacity Building for Service Providers Scheme. Each course is of 2 days to 6 days duration. The primary objective of the programme  is to eventually achieve an improved service ambience and experience for the tourist and to further the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Safety  &  Security  of  tourists  is  essentially  a  State  Government subject. However, Ministry of Tourism has taken various measures to address issues relating to safety & security of tourists visiting India as detailed below:

- Ministry  of  Tourism  has  taken  up  the  matter  with  all  State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations for setting up of  dedicated  Tourism  Police.  With  the  efforts  of  Ministry  of Tourism, the State Governments/UT Administrations of Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan,  Sikkim  and  Uttar  Pradesh  have  deployed  tourist
- i. police in one form or the other.
- ii. Ministry of Tourism through Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management (IITTM) got a study conducted naming 'Functioning of Tourist Police in States/UTs & Documentation of Best Practices', to understand the requirement of tourist police and  sensitizing  the  tourist  police  towards  the  needs  of  the tourists,  which  was  sent  to  all  the  States/UTs.  A  training module,  as  given  by  IITTM  for  imparting  training  was  also forwarded  to  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs,  which  was  further circulated to the Chief Secretaries of all state Governments/UT Administrations.
- iii. To  develop  a  comprehensive  framework,  Bureau  of  Police Research and Development (BPR&D) commissioned a study on Tourist  Police  Scheme  and  formulated  a  very  comprehensive report and have also formulated a five days training programme for  the  tourist  police  of  States/UTs.  The  report  and  training programme have  also  been  shared  with  the  Ministry  of  Home Affairs, Ministry of Tourism and all the States/UTs. Accordingly, Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs and BPR&D organized a National Conference on Tourist Police Scheme  with  the  Director Generals (DGs)/Inspector Generals  (IGs)  of  Police  Department  of  all  the  States/UTs  on 19.10.2022 in New Delhi.
- iv. The Ministry of Tourism has set up a 24x7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Info-Helpline on the toll free number 1800111363 or on a short code 1363 in 12 Languages including 10 international languages (German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese,  Japanese,  Korean,  Arabic),  Hindi  and  English  for domestic and foreign tourists to provide support service in term of information relating to Travel in India and to offer appropriate guidance to tourists in distress while travelling in India.
- v. The Ministry of  Tourism  along  with  all  stakeholders,  including the Tourism Departments of all States and UTs, have  adopted the 'Code of Conduct for Safe & Honourable Tourism' which is a set of guidelines to encourage tourism activities to be undertaken with respect for basic right like dignity, safety and freedom from exploitation of both tourists and local residents in particular, women and children.

Ministry of Tourism (MoT) is working in coordination with Ministry of road tourist

Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) to improve the connectivity and wayside amenities to the important destinations.

- (c), (d), (g) &  (h): The  Ministry of Tourism  provides  Financial Assistance  to  State  Governments/Union  Territory  Administrations/ Central  Agencies  for  development  of  tourism  infrastructure  in  the country, under its ongoing schemes of 'Swadesh Darshan',

'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation D rive'

(PRASHAD) and 'Assistance to Central Agencies'. In  addition,  Ministry  also  promotes  India  in  a  holistic  manner through various in itiatives under its Schemes of 'Domestic Promotion & Publicity including Hospita lity' (DPPH) and 'Overseas Promotion & Publicity  (OPP)'. As  part of its on-going  activities; it regularly releases print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaigns in the international  markets,  under  the 'Incredible India ' brand-line,  to promote  various  tourism  destinations  and  products  of  the  country including  India's  rich  diversity  and  nati onal  heritage  projects  with cultural, historical and tourism value with the objective of increasing foreign tourist arrivals to the Country. In addition, the 'Utsa v Portal ', a digital initiative of the Ministry, aims to showcase all the events, festivals and live darshans across India  to  promote  different  regions  of  the  country  as  popular  tourist destinations worldwide. This portal showcases month-wise and State wise  calendar  contents  on  festivals,  events  and  online  pooja/aarti including events and festivals of each State.

********