Lok Sabha Question No. 2130 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Heritage Tourism in Tier-II Cities
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2130

## ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## HERITAGE TOURISM IN TIER-II CITIES

## 2130. SMT. POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  to  promote  heritage tourism in Tier-II cities of the country;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the key achievements in tourism activities in Tier-II cities during the last five years;
- (d) whether the Government has undertaken any capacity building and training  initiatives  for  the  stakeholders  associated  to  tourism  in Tier-II cities; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (c): The Ministry promotes various tourist destinations and products  including  Heritage  Tourism  in  Tier-II  cities  through  various initiatives including promotional events, assistance to State Governments, stakeholders for organizing fairs and festivals, participation in exhibitions, website and social media.

The  Ministry  had  set  up  the  "Incredible  India"  exhibition  for  the International  delegates  of  46 th   Session  of  World  Heritage  Committee Meeting,  at  Bharat  Mandapam,  New  Delhi  in  July  2024.  In  addition, during the event Heritage walks for the delegates were also organised.

Ministry of Tourism also organised 12 th  International Tourism Mart in Kaziranga, Assam, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.

The  delegates  also  visited  Charaideo  Moidams,  Rangghar,  Sivasagar during the event.

Ministry of Tourism through its domestic tourism offices undertakes various activities such as Webinars, Quiz, Seminars, Tourism Promotional Events, Fam tours, Heritage walks etc. across country for promotion of Heritage Tourism.

Ministry  of  Tourism  launched  Dekho  Apna  Desh  People ' s  Choice poll with aim to engage with citizens to identify most preferred tourist attractions  across  5  tourism  categories  -  Spiritual,  Nature  &  Wildlife, Adventure, Cultural & Heritage.

(d) & (e): The Ministry  of  Tourism  under  its  scheme  of  'Capacity Building for Service Providers (CBSP)' conducts short term skill certification training programmes through various institutes across the country  including  Tier  II  cities  in  order  to  capitalize  the  vast  tourism potential  to  the  fullest  and  provide  professional  expertise  to  the  local populace for fresh as well as existing service providers thus making the locals more employable.

The  various  training  programmes  conducted  under  the  CBSP scheme includes Hunar Se Rozgar Tak (Capacity Building), Skill Testing & Certification (Re-Skilling), Entrepreneurship Programme, Tourism Awareness Programme etc. The detail of candidates trained under the CBSP scheme in the country during the last three years is as under:

| Financial Year   | Number of persons trained   |
|------------------|-----------------------------|
| 2021-22          | 22034                       |
| 2022-23          | 21641                       |
| 2023-24          | 24153                       |
| 2024-25*         | 30230*                      |

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