Lok Sabha Question No. 930 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Impact of Global Conflicts on Tourism Industry
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Adv K. Francis George

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.930 ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

## IMPACT OF GLOBAL CONFLICTS ON TOURISM INDUSTRY

## 930.  ADV K. FRANCIS GEORGE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a)     the details of the impact of the escalating Israel-Iran conflict on  the  tourism  industry  in  Kerala,  as  the  Kerala  State  is  a preferred destination for tourism in the country;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  considering  measures  to  ensure safety and mitigate the impact of global conflicts on tourism, if so, the details thereof along with the response of the Government  thereto  and  action  taken  to  support  Kerala's tourism industry; and
- (c)     the details of the steps taken or proposed by the Government to support tourism operators and infrastructure in Kerala State to  maintain  international  tourism  standards  and  ensure  a stable flow of tourists?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): No such study has been instituted by the Ministry of Tourism to  assess  the  impact  of  escalating  Israel-Iran  conflict  on  the tourism  industry  in  Kerala.  However,  details  of  Foreign  Tourist Visits (FTVs) in India and Kerala is given below:

| Year   | FTVs in India   | FTVs in Kerala   | Growth Over previous year (%)   | Growth Over previous year (%)   |
|--------|-----------------|------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
|        | (in lakh)       | (in lakh)        | India                           | Kerala                          |
| 2019   | 314.09          | 11.90            | -                               | -                               |
| 2020   | 71.72           | 3.41             | -77.17                          | -71.36                          |
| 2021   | 10.55           | 0.60             | -85.29                          | -82.25                          |
| 2022   | 85.88           | 3.46             | 714.26                          | 471.28                          |
| 2023   | 192.46          | 6.49             | 124.11                          | 87.83                           |

Source: States/UTs Tourism Department

(b): Security of tourists is essentially a State Government subject. However, the Ministry of Tourism has taken up the matter with all State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations for setting up  of  dedicated  Tourism  Police.  With  the  efforts  of  Ministry  of Tourism,  the  State  Governments/UT  Administrations  of  Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh have deployed tourist police in one form or the other.

The Ministry of Tourism has set up a 24x7 Multi-Lingual Tourist InfoHelpline  on  the  toll  free  number  1800111363  or  on  a  short  code 1363 in 12 Languages including 10 international languages.

(c): Ministry  of  Tourism  has  undertaken  several  steps  to  support tourism operators and infrastructure as under:

- I. Improve the quality of  infrastructure  and  facilities  at  various tourist destinations across the country including Kerala under schemes such as 'Swadesh Darshan', 'PRASHAD' and 'Assistance  to  Central  Agencies  for  Tourism  Infrastructure Development', in collaboration with States/UTs, Central agencies and private stakeholders. Details of such projects in the State of Kerala is annexed.
- II. Enhance  the  overall  quality  and  visitor  experience  through initiatives  focused  on  capacity  building,  skill  development such  as  'Capacity  Building  for  Service  Providers' , 'Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITF) ' ,  'Paryatan Mitra' and 'Paryatan
3. Didi'.
- III. To conform to the expected standards for different classes of tourists,  especially  from  the  point  of  view  of  suitability  for international tourists, the Ministry of Tourism under its voluntary scheme of Classification classifies hotels and resorts under the star rating system. Aside this, the Ministry also classifies/approves accommodation units viz Homestays/B&Bs,  guesthouses,  tented  accommodations  and tourism service providers viz. Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Tourist Transport Operators.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.930 ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024 REGARDING IMPACT OF GLOBAL CONFLICTS ON TOURISM INDUSTRY RAISED BY ADV K. FRANCIS GEORGE.

List  of  projects  sanctioned  under  Swadesh  Darshan  scheme  in Kerala:

(Rs. in Crore)

|   S. No. | Circuit / Sanction Year                                                          | Name of the Project                                                                                                  | Amount Sanctioned   |   Amount Released /Authorized |
|----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|-------------------------------|
|        1 | Eco Circuit 2015-16 Development of Pathanamthitta- Gavi- Vagamon- Thekkady       | 64.08                                                                                                                |                     |                         64.08 |
|        2 | Spiritual Circuit 2016-17 Development of Sabarimala - Erumeli-Pampa- Sannidhanam | 46.54                                                                                                                |                     |                         33.39 |
|        3 | Spiritual Circuit Development of Padmanabha Arnamula                             | Sree                                                                                                                 | 78.08               |                         73.77 |
|        4 | 2016-17 Rural Circuit 2018-19 Development                                        | Development of Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project                                                                | 57.35               |                         45.88 |
|        5 | Spiritual Circuit 2018-19                                                        | Sivagiri Sree Narayana Guru Ashram- Arruvipuram- Kunnumpara Sree Subrahmania - Chembazhanthi Sree Narayana Gurukulam | 66.42               |                         42.01 |

List of projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme in Kerala:

| Destination   | Name of the Experience              |   Sanctioned Cost (₹ Cr ore) |
|---------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------|
| Kumarakom     | Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Experience |                        13.92 |

## List of projects sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme in Kerala:

(Rs. in Crore)

| Project Name                    | Sanction Year   |   Approved Cost |   Amount Released | Physical Progress%   |
|---------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|-------------------|----------------------|
| Development at Guruvayur Temple | 2016-17         |           45.19 |             45.19 | 100%                 |

List of projects sanctioned under the scheme Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development in Kerala:

(Rs. in Lakh)

|   Sl. No | Name of Project                                                                                      | Agency            |   Amount sanctioned |   Amount Released |
|----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|---------------------|-------------------|
|        1 | Development of a Walkway/Promenade on Willingdon Island, Cochin, Kerala                              | Cochin Port Trust |              901    |            826.29 |
|        2 | Central Financial Assistance for upgrading of Births & Backup area of Ernakulam Wharf                | Cochin Port Trust |             2141    |           1912.8  |
|        3 | Project for Up-gradation of Golf Course at SAI Trivandrum Golf Club by the Sports Authority of India | SAI               |             2464.99 |           1232.49 |
|        4 | Developing infrastructure at Cochin Port Cruise Terminal.                                            | Cochin Port Trust |              120.79 |            114.17 |
|        5 | Creation of additional tourism facilities at the Cochin Port Trust Walkway                           | Cochin Port Trust |              466.47 |            466.47 |
|        6 | Development of Additional infrastructure in the new Cochin Port Trust Terminal                       | Cochin Port Trust |             1029.7  |            888.62 |

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