Lok Sabha Question No. 1078 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-26
Subject: Grant for Visa to Promote Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Kanakmal Katara, Keshari Devi Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†1078

## ANSWERED ON 26.07.2021

## GRANT FOR VISA TO PROMOTE TOURISM

## †1078. SHRI KANAKMAL KATARA: SHRIMATI KESHARI DEVI PATEL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote  the  International Tourism Industry;
- (b) the details of the schemes to attract foreign tourists;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to grant free VISA to promote tourism and if so, the details thereof;
- the details of the funds released for the development of tourism in
- (d) Banswara-Dungarpur-Rajasthan;
- (e) the number  of listed registered tourist guides in  BanswaraDungarpur-Rajasthan and whether there is any scheme to provide financial assistance to the said guides; and
- (f)
- if so, the details thereof?

## MINISTER OF TOURISM

## ANSWER

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a)  &  (b):  The  Ministry  of  Tourism  (MoT)  under  its  Overseas  promotion and  publicity  Scheme  promotes  India  as  a  holistic  destination  in  the tourism  generating  markets  overseas  to  attract  foreign  tourists  and increase India's share of the  global  tourism  market.  The  above objectives  are  met  through  an  integrated marketing  and  promotional strategy,  and  a  synergized  campaign  in  association  with  the  Travel Trade, State Governments and Indian Missions.

The specific elements of  promotional efforts undertaken overseas include  advertising  in  print,  electronic,  online  and  outdoor  media, participation in international Fairs & Exhibitions, organising Know India Seminars,  Workshops,  Road  Shows  and  India  Evenings,       Brochure Support, Joint Advertising with Travel Agents  / Tour Operators, organising and supporting Indian Food and cultural   festivals, production of publicity material and organizing familiarization tours for overseas tour operators/media/opinion makers etc. to visit the country under the Hospitality programme of the Ministry of Tourism. (c): The Government of India has recently announced free tourist visa to first five lakh tourists. The Scheme will be applicable till 31 st  March, 2022  or  till  the  five  lakh  visas  are  issued,  whichever  is  earlier.  The benefit will be available only once per tourist. (d): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  under  its  Swadesh  Darshan  scheme provides  financial assistance  to the States/UT  Administrations  for development  of  Tourism  Infrastructure  projects  in  consultation  with them.  The      projects  under  this  scheme  are  sanctioned  subject  to availability  of  funds,  submission  of  suitable  Detailed  Project  Reports (DPRs), adherence to scheme guidelines and utilization of funds released earlier  etc.  Sanctioning  of  projects  under  this  scheme  is  a  continuous process. MoT sanctioned four projects to the State Government of Rajasthan under the Desert, Krishna, Spiritual and Heritage Circuits of Swadesh Darshan Scheme. Details are at Annexure. In  addition,  MoT  under  the  PRASHAD  Scheme,  has  sanctioned  a project to the State Government of Rajasthan in 2015-16 for integrated development of Pushkar/Ajmer for Rs. 32.64 Cr. (e) & (f): There  are  five tourist guides  registered with the State Government  of  Rajasthan  in  Banswara-Dungarpur,  and  977  Regional level tourist guides in Rajasthan recognised by MoT. The Government of India has recently announced loan guarantee Scheme to the extent of Rs. 1.00 Lakh per tourist guide. The scheme will cover  10,700  Regional  Level  Tourist  Guides  recognised  by  Ministry  of Tourism and Tourist Guides recognised by the State Governments. There will be no processing charges, waiver of foreclosure/prepayment charges and no requirement of additional collateral.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION  No.  †1078  ANSWERED  ON  26.07.2021  REGARDING  GRANT FOR VISA TO PROMOTE TOURISM.

## (a). Details of Projects sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme in the State of Rajasthan.

|   Sl. No. | State/UT   | Circuit           | Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |   Amt. Sanctioned (Rs. in Cr.) |
|-----------|------------|-------------------|-----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------|
|         1 | Rajasthan  | Desert Circuit    | 2015-16         | Development of Sambhar Lake Town and Other Destinations                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |                          50.01 |
|         2 | Rajasthan  | Krishna Circuit   | 2016-17         | Integrated Development of Govind Dev ji temple (Jaipur), Khatu Shyam Ji (Sikar) and Nathdwara                                                                                                                                                                                                        |                          75.8  |
|         3 | Rajasthan  | Spiritual Circuit | 2016-17         | (Rajsamand) Development of Churu (Salasar Balaji)- Jaipur (Shri Samode Balaji, Ghat ke Balaji, Bandheke Balaji)- Alwar (Pandupole Hanumanji, Bharathari)- Viratnagar (Bijak, Jainnasiya, Ambika Temple)- Bharatpur (Kaman Region)- Dholpur (Muchkund) - Mehandipur Balaji- Chittorgarh (Sanwaliyaji) |                          93.9  |
|         4 | Rajasthan  | Heritage Circuit  | 2017-18         | Development of Rajsamand                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |                          90.92 |

|       | (Kumbhalgarh Fort)- Jaipur (Nahargarh Fort)- Alwar (Bala Quila)- Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore Fort and Khandar Fort)- Jhalawar (Gagron Fort)- Chittorgarh (Chittorgarh Fort)- Jaisalmer (Jaisalmer Fort) - Hanumangarh (Kalibangan, Bhatner Fort and Gogamedi)- Jalore (Jalore Fort)- Udaipur (Pratap Gaurav Kendra)- Dholpur (Bagh-i- Nilofar and Purani Chawni)- Nagaur (Meera Bai Smarak)   |        |       |       |
|-------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|-------|-------|
| Total | Total                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | 310.63 | Total | Total |

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