Lok Sabha Question No. 193 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-04
Subject: Promotion of various Tourist Circuits
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Jagdambika Pal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.193 ANSWERED ON 04.12.2023

## PROMOTION OF VARIOUS TOURIST CIRCUITS

193.  SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the key discussions and outcomes from the National Conference of State Tourism Ministers, particularly focusing on the strategies and policies  discussed  for  the  growth  and  development  of  tourism  in India;
- (b) the  initiatives  and  schemes  undertaken  to  promote  various  tourist circuits,  including  the  newly  proposed  'Ambedkar  Circuit'  and  the promotion of the Himalayan Circuit; and
- (c) the  key  features  and  objectives  of  the  upcoming  National  Tourism Policy, and how it aligns with the vision of 'Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi'?

## ANSWER

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

- (a): The Ministry of Tourism organizes National State Tourism Ministers Conferences/Meetings from time to time to have a conversation with the State  Governments  to  put  in  place  a  vision  for  the  tourism  sector.  The details  of  the  National  State  Tourism  Ministers  Conferences/Meetings organized during the period 2014-22 are as follows:
-  National Conference of State Tourism Ministers in New Delhi on 21st August, 2014.
-  National Conference of Tourism Ministers in New Delhi on 20th August 2019.
-  Video Conference Meeting of State Tourism Ministers on 15 th  & 16 th  October 2020.
-  National Conference of State Tourism Ministers in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh from 18th to 20th September
- 2022.
-  Video  Conference  Meeting  of  State  Tourism  Ministers  on  21 st September 2023.

These  conferences/meetings  initiated  a  high-level  discussion  on policies/programmes and for closer cooperation with the various stakeholders for the development and growth of the tourism sector in the country.

- (b): Ministry  of  Tourism  under  its  scheme  of  Swadesh  Darshan  1.0  has identified 15 themes for the development of tourism circuits including the Himalayan Circuit with the objective of development of tourism infrastructure. A total of 7 projects have been sanctioned under the theme of  Himalayan  Circuit  for  an  amount  of  Rs.587.92  Crore.  The  details  of projects sanctioned under this scheme are given at Annexure.

On  the  recommendation  of  the  Ministry  of  Tourism,  IRCTC  has launched the Baba Saheb Ambedkar Yatra by Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train. The  7-nights  /  8-days  tour  was  launched  on  the  special  occasion  of  the 132nd Birth Anniversary of Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar in 2023. The Ministry of Tourism organized a FAM trip on the Bharat Gaurav Tourist train tour on the Ambedkar Circuit to promote and popularize this special initiative. A group of stakeholders including Tour Operators, Tour Guides, Journalists, Buddhist  Associations,  Gautam  Buddha  University  and  members  of  Yuva Tourism Club were hosted on the FAM Trip.

- (c): Ministry of Tourism in consultation with the relevant Central Ministries,  State  Tourism  Departments  and  Industry  Stakeholders,  has formulated  a  draft  National  Tourism  Policy  2023.   The  key  strategic objectives of the draft National Tourism Policy 2023 are as follows:
- (i) To  enhance  the  contribution  of  tourism  in  Indian  economy  by increasing  the  visitation,  stay  and  spend  and  making  India  a year-round tourist destination.
- (ii) To  create  jobs  and  entrepreneurial  opportunities  in  tourism sector and ensure supply of skilled work force.
- (iii) To enhance the competitiveness of tourism sector and attract private sector investment.
- (iv) To preserve and enhance the cultural and natural resources of the country.
- (v) To  ensure  sustainable,  responsible  and  inclusive  development of tourism in the country.

The Draft National Tourism Policy envisages to encourage innovation,  explore  new  markets,  opening  of  new  destinations  and  align tourism development to the Sustainable Development Goals by leveraging India's culture and heritage.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (b)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.193 ANSWERED ON 04.12.2023 REGARDING PROMOTION OF VARIOUS TOURIST CIRCUITS BY SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL.

## HIMALAYAN CIRCUIT

(Rs. in Crore)

| Sl. No.   | Name of State    | Year       | Project Name                                                                                                                                         |   Amount Sanctioned |
|-----------|------------------|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
| 1.        | Jammu & Kashmir  | (2016- 17) | Development of Tourism Infrastructure Projects- Bhagwati Nagar                                                                                       |               77.33 |
| 2.        | Jammu & Kashmir  | (2016- 17) | Development of Tourist Facilities at Jammu-Rajouri- Shopian-Pulwama                                                                                  |               81.6  |
| 3.        | Jammu & Kashmir  | (2016- 17) | Development of Tourist Facilities under the Construction of Assets in lieu of those Destroyed in Floods in 2014 under PM Development Package for J&K |               90.43 |
| 4.        | Jammu & Kashmir  | (2016- 17) | Development of Tourist facilities at Mantalai & Sudhmahadev                                                                                          |               91.99 |
| 5.        | Jammu & Kashmir  | (2016- 17) | Development of Tourist Facilities at Anantnag- Kishtwar- Pahalgam - Daksum - RanjitSagar Dam.                                                        |               86.39 |
| 6.        | Jammu & Kashmir  | (2016- 17) | Development of Tourist Facilities at Gulmarg- Baramulla-Kupwara-Leh                                                                                  |               91.84 |
| 7.        | Himachal Pradesh | (2016- 17) | Development of Himalayan Circuit in Kiarighat, Shimla, Hatkoti, Manali, Kangra, Dharamshala, Bir, Palampur, Chamba                                   |               68.34 |
|           |                  |            | Total                                                                                                                                                |              587.92 |

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