Lok Sabha Question No. 175 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-25
Subject: Indian Tourism Industry
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Smt. Bharti Pardhi, Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.175

## ANSWERED ON 25.11.2024

## INDIAN TOURISM INDUSTRY

## 175  SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE: SMT. BHARTI PARDHI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether worldwide tourism is ranked second highest revenuegenerating industry;
- (b)    if so, whether it is necessary to differentiate between different type  of  tourists  to  understand  and  analyse  their  purpose  of visits;
- (c)    if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard and the achievements made so far;
- (d) whether  the  Indian  tourism  industry  has  been  facing  various challenges/ issues/ difficulties;
- (e)     if so, the response of the Government thereto;
- (f)     the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to resolve the said issues and the achievements made so far; and
- (g) the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  for  generation  of additional  employment  during  the  Twelfth  Five  Year  Plan  to help in resolving issues relating to tourism industry?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM  (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (c): As  per  the  UNWTO  Barometer  published  in  September 2024,  export  revenues  from  international  tourism  in  2023  were recorded at USD 1.8 trillion,  which  includes  receipts  from  tourism activities as well as passenger transport.

Based  on  data  from  the  Bureau  of  Immigration,  the  Ministry  of Tourism  classifies  foreign  tourists  into  6  categories  according  to their purpose of visit. The total Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) stood at 9.52 million in 2023. A breakdown of the same is provided below:

| S. No.   | Tourist Category               |   Percentage share |
|----------|--------------------------------|--------------------|
| 1        | Leisure Holiday and Recreation |               46.2 |
| 2        | Indian diaspora                |               26.9 |
| 3        | Business and professional      |               10.3 |
| 4        | Medical                        |                6.9 |
| 5        | Student                        |                0.5 |
| 6        | Others (including unknown)     |                9.2 |
|          | Total                          |              100   |

(d) to (g): Ministry  of  Tourism  has  undertaken  several  steps  to revitalize the tourism industry such as:

1. Improve  the  quality  of  infrastructure  and  facilities  at  various tourist destinations across the country 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.
2. Enhance connectivity and accessibility at various tourist destinations  across  the  country  in  collaboration  with  Line Ministries.  The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  partnered  with  the Ministry  of  Road  Transport  and  Highways,  Ministry  of  Civil Aviation, Ministry of Railways, and Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways to achieve this goal.
3. Enhance  the  overall  quality  and  visitor  experience  through initiatives focused on capacity building, skill development such as  Incredible  India  Tourist  Facilitator  (IITF),  'Paryatan  Mitra' and  'Paryatan  Didi'  and  also  through  events  and  campaigns such as 'Dekho Apna Desh,' 'Chalo India,' 'International Tourism Mart' and 'Bharat Parv ' .
4. ********