Lok Sabha Question No. 1052 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Promotion  of Rural Tourism in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri G M Harish Balayogi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1052

## ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

## PROMOTION OF RURAL TOURISM IN ANDHRA PRADESH

## 1052. SHRI G M HARISH BALAYOGI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the initiatives being undertaken for the promotion of rural tourism in Andhra Pradesh State;
- (b) the details of the programmes for capacity building for promotion of rural tourism being conducted in Andhra Pradesh State, districtwise;
- (c) whether the Government  has  any  special initiatives for the capacity  building  of  people  from  SC/ST/OBC  communities  for tourism  purposes,  if  so,  the  details  of  the  number  of  people including  women  who  have  been  trained  under  such  schemes, scheme-wise, year-wise during the last five years, State-wise and district-wise especially in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district in Andhra Pradesh State;
- (d)
- if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the details of the amount of funds allocated and utilized under the said scheme, State-wise, especially in Andhra Pradesh, year-wise, during the last five years?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a): The Ministry of Tourism promotes India in a holistic manner, as a tourist  destination,  through  various  initiatives  including  promotional events, assistance  to State Governments  for  organizing  fairs  and festivals,  etc.  The  Ministry  also  promotes  various  tourist  destinations including  Andhra  Pradesh  and  its  products  through  its  website  and social media.

Recognizing the immense potential of rural tourism in the country, Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy and Roadmap for

Development  of  Rural  Tourism  in  India  and  National  Strategy  for  the promotion of Homestays.

To  identify  the  best  practices  prevailing  in  the  rural  tourism villages,  the  Ministry  has  organized  the  Best  Rural  Tourism  Village Competition in 2023.

In addition, the Ministry of Tourism has identified Rural Circuit as one of the thematic circuits under its Swadesh Darshan Scheme.

(b) to (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 rural and urban areas in the country including Andhra Pradesh 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, Sensitization Programme/Tourism Awareness Programme etc., for candidates from all communities. The detail of funds reimbursed and people trained in the country including women under the scheme during the last five years, including Andhra Pradesh is as under:

| Financial Year   | Funds reimbursement (Amount Rs. in Crore)   | No. of persons trained   |
|------------------|---------------------------------------------|--------------------------|
| 2019-20          | 21.42                                       | 32,458                   |
| 2020-21          | 23.51                                       | 12,085                   |
| 2021-22          | 21.22                                       | 22,034                   |
| 2022-23          | 15.71                                       | 21,641                   |
| 2023-24          | 21.68                                       | 24,153                   |
| 2024-25*         | 4.75*                                       | 30,230*                  |

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