Lok Sabha Question No. 3503 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-20
Subject: Inflow of Domestic Tourists
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Vinod Chavda

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †3503 ANSWERED ON 20.12.2021

## INFLOW OF DOMESTIC TOURISTS

†3503. SHRI VINOD L. CHAVDA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  estimate  of  the  domestic  tourist  inflow  targetted  by  the Government for this  year  and  the  steps  taken  to  achieve  this target;
- (b) whether it is likely to boost domestic tourism in the country;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  determined  any  norms  for  the identification of such tourists; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF TOURISM

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) & (b): No  formal  assessment  has  been  made  by  Ministry  of Tourism, Government of India to set the target for domestic tourist. However,  Ministry  of  Tourism,  Government  of  India  has  taken several steps to boost domestic tourism in the country which are at Annexure.

(c) & (d): Does not arise.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  &  (b)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  †3503  ANSWERED  ON  20.12.2021 REGARDING INFLOW OF DOMESTIC TOURISTS

Ministry  of  Tourism  has  taken  following  steps  to  boost  domestic tourism in the country:

- (i) Dekho  Apna  Desh: The  Ministry  had  launched  the Dekho Apna Desh initiative in January 2020, which is being promoted extensively on social media accounts and website of the Ministry and by Domestic India Tourism offices. Under this  initiative Ministry  has  been  organizing  webinars,  quiz, pledge, discussions, road shows to keep connected with the stake-holders and to encourage citizens to travel within the country. A total of 112 Webinars under the Dekho Apna Desh brand  line  have  been  organized  by  the  Ministry,  since  its launch.
- (ii) Ek  Bharat  Shrestha  Bharat:  The  Ministry  organizes  various activities  like  road  shows,  Fam  trips,  B2B  Meetings,  Quiz programmes,  webinars  between  paired  States  /  UTs  to promote Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat.
- (iii) Quiz/  Essay  Competitions  at  Schools  and  institutions:  The Ministry through its field offices organises quiz programmes, poster  making  and  Essays  competitions  at  IHMs,  IITTMs, Schools to create awareness about history, heritage, tourism products and destinations in the country.
- (iv) Domestic  Tourism  promotion  on  Social  Media  and  website: Promotional  campaigns  are  carried  out  on  social  media handles  of  the  Ministry  and  Domestic  Offices  promoting destinations, products, festivals, cuisines etc. of the country.
- (v) Bharat  Parv  and  Paryatan  Parv:  The  Ministry  organizes Bharat  Parv  and  Paryatan  Parv  in  collaboration  with  the States/  UTs  and  other  Central  Ministries  /  Departments  for last four years to showcase  the  rich culture, history, heritage to the citizens. The objective of these events is to draw  focus  on  the  benefits  of  Tourism  and  reinforcing  the principle of tourism for all.
- (vi) Promotion  of  Fairs/  festivals/Events -  To  create  awareness among the masses the Ministry celebrates special events / days  with  citizen's  participation  like  International  Day  of Yoga,  World  Tourism  Day,  Constitution  Day,  Independence day, commemoration of 125 years of Birth of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Azad ka Amrit Mahotsav and other regional festivals.
- (vii) Communication  with  Industry  Stake  Holders: The  Ministry and  the  Regional  offices  are  regularly  communicating  with the Travel Industry and other stakeholders on issues related to opening  up  of Tourism  sector,  handling  of tourists, protocols of safety and security, service standards etc. The Ministry  has  also  been  coordination  with  the  Stakeholders and States / UTs for promoting itineraries to nearby destinations from the major cities.
- (viii) Market Development Scheme (MDA) for promotion of Domestic Tourism: The Ministry of Tourism has revised the Guidelines  for  Scheme  of  Market  Development  Assistance (MDA) for promotion of Domestic Tourism in November 2020 to enhance the scope and reach of the scheme. As per the guidelines,  the  stakeholders  are  provided  with  financial support  for  the  promotion  of  Domestic  Tourism.  Additional promotional  activities have  been  incorporated  including online  promotions  and  the  extent  of  financial  assistance permissible  has  been  enhanced.  Tourism  Departments  of State  Governments  / UT  Administrations are also  now eligible for obtaining financial support under the scheme.

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