Lok Sabha Question No. 143 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-25
Subject: Promotion of India’s Diverse Travel Landscapes
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Ananta Nayak, Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, Shri Sudheer Gupta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.143

## ANSWERED ON 25.11.2024

## PROMOTION OF INDIA'S DIVERSE TRAVEL LANDSCAPES

- 143   SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE: SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: SHRI ANANTA NAYAK:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  expand  direct  international flights,  simplify  visa  processes  and  promote  India's  diverse  travel landscapes to boost tourist arrivals in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise including Odisha State;
- (c) the  details  of  places  selected  by  the  Government  initially  to  be developed as tourist hubs and help India reach new heights in global tourism, State-wise, district-wise and place-wise including from the State of Odisha, particularly from the Keonjhar district;
- (d) whether the Government has identified the emerging destinations in the country to elevate India's inbound tourism and if so, the details thereof, State-wise, district-wise;
- (e) the details of tourist destination selected for the said purpose, Statewise and district-wise including from the State of Odisha, particularly from the Keonjhar district;
- (f) whether the Government proposes to create a separate corpus fund for these selected destination and if so, the details thereof; and
- (g) whether the Government proposes to increase the country's inbound tourism to tenfold by the year 2047 and if so, the details thereof and steps taken in this direction?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM            (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) and (b):  As informed by Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government provides an enabling environment for growth of civil aviation sector but does not interfere in  the  operational plans of the airlines. The airlines are free  to select  whatever  markets  and  network  they  wish  to  service  and  operate within the ambit of bilateral agreements. The airlines provide air services to  specific  places  including  Odisha  depending  upon  passenger  demand, availability of slots, the  economic  viability  of  the  route,  and  other associated factors.

As  regards  simplification  of  visa  process  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  has informed that introduction of e-visa facility is one of the most significant steps taken to liberalize and simplify the Indian Visa regime. E-visa facility is  presently  available  to  nationals  of  167  countries  for  entry  through  31 designated international airports and 06 major seaports. E-Visa is presently  available  under  nine  sub-categories.  Processing  of  e-visa  is totally on the online platform.

Further,  Visa-on-Arrival  facility  is  available  to  nationals  of  Japan,  South Korea and UAE for tourism, business,  conference  and  medical  purposes for 60 days with double entry for entry through 6 designated airports.

Liberalization and simplification of the visa regime, including the visa for foreign  tourists,  is  an  ongoing  process  which  is  done  after  taking  into consideration the issues of security, inbound tourism and investments, bilateral relations etc.

The Ministry of Tourism promotes India as a holistic destination in various markets to increase India's share of the global tourism market including spiritual  destinations  of  India.  These  objectives  are  met  through  an integrated marketing and promotional strategy, and a synergized campaign  in  association  with  the  Travel  Trade,  State  Governments  and Indian  Missions  overseas.  The  Government  continuously  engages  with industry experts and other relevant stakeholders and take their suggestions  and  feedback  for  promotion  of  varied  tourism  products  of India including state of Odisha.

- (c) to (f): The Ministry of Tourism has issued Operational Guidelines and template for Detailed Project Report for Special assistance to States for capital investment- Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale. The scheme aims is to infuse long term interest free loans for a period of 50 years to States for comprehensively develop iconic tourist centers in the country, branding and marketing them at global scale.
- (g): Ministry of Tourism has undertaken several promotional activities to increase footfalls of foreign visitors to India which are as follows:
- i. Participation  in  international  travel  fairs  and  exhibitions  such  as World Travel Market (WTM) London, Feria Internacional de Turismo (FITUR)  Madrid,  International  Travel  &  Hospitality  Show (MITT) Moscow, Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) Sydney, Internationale  Tourismusbörse  (ITB)  Berlin,  Arabian  Travel  Market (ATM) Dubai, International  Meeting  Exchange (IMEX) Frankfurt, International & French Travel Market (IFTM) Top Resa Paris, Japan Expo, Internationale Tourismusbörse Asia (ITB Asia), Singapore etc.
- ii. The  Chalo  India  initiative  has  been  launched  by  the  Ministry  to encourage  the  huge  Indian  diaspora  to  become  Incredible  India ambassadors  and  encourage  their  five  non-Indian  friends  to  visit India, every year.
- iii. A Chalo India portal has also been developed for registration of the Indian  diaspora.  Further  gratis  e  visa  to  one  lakh  foreign  tourists, visiting India under the referral program was announced.
- iv. Ministry of Tourism has launched the Incredible India Content Hub on the revamped Incredible India digital portal (www.incredibleindia.gov.in) on 27th September, 2024. The Incredible India Content Hub is a comprehensive digital repository of high-quality images, films, brochures and newsletters which can be easily  accessed  by  the  industry  stakeholders  (travel  media,  tour operators, travel agents)  across  the globe  required to amplify Incredible  India  in  all  their  marketing  and  promotional  efforts.  The revamped Incredible India Digital Portal aimed to be tourist-centric, one-stop digital solution designed to enhance the travel experience for visitors to India.
- v. Inviting  media  personalities,  tour  operators  and  opinion  makers  to visit the country under the Hospitality Programme of the Ministry.
- vi. The promotions are being carried out in association with the State Governments  and  the  Overseas  India  Missions  including  the  20
- identified Indian Missions.

It  has  also  taken  following  measures  under  various  schemes  to  improve the infrastructure facilities at tourist sites: -

- i. 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
2. 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.
- ii. 'Challenge  Based  Destination  Development',  a  sub -scheme  under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 provides for holistic development of destination to enhance tourist experience across all of tourist value chain  to  transform  our  tourist  destinations  as  sustainable  and responsible destinations. Under  this Scheme,  the  Ministry has identified  42  destinations  under  4  categories-  (i)  Spiritual  Tourism, (ii) Culture & Heritage, (iii) Vibrant Village Program, (iv) Eco Tourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites.

The Government is taking cumulative efforts of marketing, promotion and infrastructure development, for inbound tourism to grow substantially.

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