Lok Sabha Question No. 180 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Study about Tourism Development
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.180 ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## STUDY ABOUT TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

## 180. SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  study  about tourism development across the country, and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  action  as  per  study report and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any steps have been taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to make the country a visitor-friendly, varied life styles and cultural heritage and colourful fairs and festivals and traditions, held abiding attractions for the tourists; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a)  &  (b):  No  such  study  has  been  conducted  in  recent  years. Development  of  tourism  is  an  ongoing  activity  undertaken  by  the
- Government.
- (c) & (d): Ministry of Tourism has taken several steps/initiatives over the years to make the country visitor friendly and to boost tourism sector in the country, details of which are:
- (i) Launched  Dekho  Apna  Desh  initiative  with  the  objective  of creating awareness among the citizens about the rich heritage and culture of the country and encourage citizens to travel within the country.
- (ii) Conducting  Programmes  under  the  'Capacity Building for Service Providers' (CBSP) Scheme  to train and upgrade
- manpower to provide better service standards.
- (iii) Launched  Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification Programme, a digital initiative  that aims at creating  an online learning  platform    with  the  objective    of  creating  a  pool  of well trained professional tourist facilitators across the country to support tourists.
- (iv) 24x7 toll free Multi-Lingual Tourist Helpline.
- (v) E-Visa is presently available under seven sub-categories i.e. e-Tourist  Visa,  e-  Business  Visa,  e-Medical  Visa,  e-Medical Attendant  Visa,  e-Conference  Visa,  e-  Ayush  Visa  and  eAyush  Attendant  Visa.  e-Tourist  visa  is  available  under  3 options  -  (i)  05  years  with  multiple  entry;  (ii)  1  year  with multiple entry and (iii) one month with double entry.
- (vi) Under RCS UDAN Tourism, Ministry of Tourism has collaborated  with  Ministry  of  Civil  Aviation  and  has  got  53 tourism routes operational for better connectivity of important tourist places including Iconic sites.
- (vii) The  Ministry  of  Tourism  is  also  promoting  cultural  and heritage  tourism  by  providing  financial  assistance  to  State Governments/Union Territory Administrations/Central Agencies under the 'Swadesh Darshan', 'National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation  Drive  (PRASHAD)'  and  'Assistance  to  Central Agencies  for  Tourism  Infrastructure  Development'  Schemes for  the  development  of  tourism  related  infrastructure  and facilities  to  provide  an  enriching  tourism  experience  to  the visitors.
- (viii)  Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance to States/UTs for organizing fairs &  festivals and  tourism related  events  such  as  seminars,  conclaves,  conventions etc.  under  the  Domestic  Promotion  &  Publicity  including Hospitality (DPPH) scheme.

********