Lok Sabha Question No. 292 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Promotion of Sustainable Tourism Practices to Attract Tourists
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Pritam Gopinath Munde, Rahul Ramesh Shewale

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.292 ANSWERED ON 05.02.2024

## PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM PRACTICES TO ATTRACT TOURISTS

292.  SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU: SHRI RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE: DR. PRITAM GOPINATHRAO MUNDE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  India  is  known  for  its  rich  cultural  heritage,  diverse geography and historical landmarks, which attract tourists from all over the world;
- (b) if so, whether  the country particularly  Odisha  has  immense potential to become one of the top tourism hubs in the World;
- whether activities such as trekking, rafting and skiing are popular
- (c) among tourists;
- (d) if  so,  whether  India  has  a  diverse  geography  with  mountains, beaches  and  forests,  which  makes  it  an  ideal  destination  for adventure tourism;
- (e) if  so,  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  develop  facilities  for trekking, rafting and skiing to attract domestic and foreign tourists;
- (f) whether India faces several challenges that need to be addressed to realize its full potential as a top tourism centre; and
- (g) if so, the steps taken by the Government to address the challenges and promote sustainable tourism practices particularly in Odisha to attract more tourists and become a top destination in the World?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (e): India is known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse geography and historical landmarks, which attract tourists from all over the world. India  including  the  State  of  Odisha  has  immense  potential  to  become one of the top tourism hubs in the World. India has a diverse geography with mountains, beaches and forests, which makes it an ideal destination  for  adventure  tourism.  Activities  such  as  trekking,  rafting

and skiing are popular among tourists.

To  position  India  as  a  preferred  destination  for  adventure  tourism globally,  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  formulated  a  National  Strategy  for Adventure  Tourism.  A  National  Board  for  Adventure  Tourism  has  been constituted  under  the  Chairpersonship  of  Secretary  (T),  comprising  of representatives  from  identified  Central  Ministries/organizations,  State Governments/UT Administrations and Industry Stakeholders. The Board guides  the  operationalization  and  implementation  of  the  strategy  to promote and develop adventure tourism in the Country.

Central Financial Assistance  has  been  extended  to  various State Governments/Union  Territory  Administrations  under  Swadesh  Darshan scheme  of  the  Ministry  for  development  of  Tourism  Infrastructure  in destinations including Adventure Tourism destinations.

Indian institute of Skiing and Mountaineering undertakes various adventure courses including courses on trekking and skiing.

National  Institute  of  Water  Sports,  Goa  trains  water  sports  operators through various skill developing courses.

- (f) & (g): Considering  the  challenges,  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  taken several steps/measures under various schemes/initiatives for development  and  promotion  of  tourism  sector  in  the  country  including Odisha as per details given below:
- i. Ministry  of  Tourism  promotes  India  in  a  holistic  manner,  through various  initiatives  under  its  Schemes  of  'Domestic  Promotion  & Publicity including Hospitality' (DPPH) and 'Overseas Promotion & Publicity (OPP)' including State of Odisha.  As part of its on-going activities; it regularly releases print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaigns in the international markets, under the 'Incredible India' brand-line, to promote various tourism destinations  and  products  of  India.   The  Ministry  of  Tourism  also regularly  promotes  various  tourism  destinations  and  products through its website and social media promotions.
- ii. Ministry under the schemes  of  'Swadesh Darshan', Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)' and 'Assistance to Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development' financial assistance to State Governments/Union
- 'National Heritage Central provides Territory
- Administrations/Central  Agencies  for  the  development  of  tourismrelated infrastructure in the country.
- iii. Ministry of Tourism has revamped its Swadesh Darshan Scheme as Swadesh  Darshan  2.0  (SD2.0) with the objective to develop sustainable  and  responsible  destinations  following  a  tourist  & destination  centric  approach.  Under  SD2.0,  Koraput,  Debrigarh along with special attraction of 'Khinda Village' destinations have been identified for development in the State of Odisha.
- iv. Ministry of Tourism has formulated National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism. In line with the National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism, Ministry of Tourism has launched the Travel for  LiFE  Initiative.  Travel  for  LiFE  aims  to  promote  sustainable tourism  in  the  country,  through  mindful  and  deliberate  actions mobilized toward tourists and tourism businesses in the consumption of tourism resources.
- v. In order to promote sustainable and responsible tourist destinations  and  promote  sustainable  tourism  in  the  country, Ministry of Tourism in association with Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Responsible Tourism Society of India (RTSOI) organised Regional Workshops covering States/ UTs of  different  regions  in  the  country.  Workshop  for  States/UTs  of Eastern  Region  including  the  State  of  Odisha  was  organised  on 11.01.2023 at Kolkata, West Bengal.
- vi. With  an  aim  to  enable  lawful  inward  movement  of  foreigners including  foreign  tourists,  Government  has  taken  a  number  of initiative  over  the  last  few  years  to  liberalize,  streamline  and simplify visa regime with a view to facilitate the legitimate foreign travellers.  Facility  of  e-Visa  for  07  sub-categories  i.e.,  e-Tourist visa,  e-Business visa, e-Medical visa, e-Medical Attendant visa, eAyush Visa, e-Ayush Attendant Visa and e-Conference visa for the nationals  of  167  countries  has  been  provided.  Visa  fee  has  also been substantially reduced.
- vii. For  improving  air  connectivity  to  important  tourist  destinations, Ministry of Tourism has collaborated with Ministry of Civil Aviation under their RCS-UDAN Scheme. As on date, 53 tourism routes have been operationalized.
- viii. With  an aim to provide enhance tourist experience of the visitors Ministry of Tourism is running Pan - India Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITF) Certification Program, a digital initiative that aims at  creating  an  Online  learning  platform  with  the  objective  of creating a pool of well trained and professional Tourist Facilitator/Guides across the country.
- ix. Thematic tourism like rural tourism, eco-tourism, adventure tourism,  MICE  etc.,  amongst  other  niche  subjects  are  vigorously promoted so as to expand the scope of tourism into other sectors as well.
- x. Indian  Institute  of  Tourism  and  Travel  Management  (IITTM)  has been  set  up  to  provide  specialized  training,  education,  research and consultancy in sustainable management of Tourism, Travel and allied sectors.
- xi. 68  Institutes  of  Hotel  Management  (IHMs),  comprising  21  Central IHMs, 33 State IHMs, 2 State IHMs (running under PPP mode) and 12 Food Craft Institutes (FCIs) have come up with the support  of the Ministry.
- xii. Conducting  Programmes  under  the  'Capacity  Building  for  Service Providers'  (CBSP)  Scheme  to  train  and  up-grade  manpower  to provide better service standards.
- xiii. To  conform  to  the  expected  standards  for  different  classes  of tourists, especially from the point of view of suitability for international  tourists,  Ministry  of  Tourism  classifies  hotels  under the star rating system. The Ministry of Tourism has set up National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry, (or NIDHI), a technology driven system, aligned with our Hon'ble Prime Minister's vision of an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', which is to facilitate digitalization and promote ease of doing business for hospitality & tourism sector. This initiative has been upgraded as NIDHI+ to have more inclusivity, that is, of not only classification of Accommodation Units, but also registration/classification/recognition/approval of Travel agents, Tour  Operators,  Tourist  Transport  Operators,  Food  &  Beverage Units,  Online  Travel  Aggregators,  Convention  Centers  and  tourist Facilitators.
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