Lok Sabha Question No. 2151 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-05
Subject: Domestic Tourist Arrival in Kerala
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri V K Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2151

## ANSWERED ON 05.08.2024

## DOMESTIC TOURIST ARRIVAL IN KERALA

## 2151 SHRI V K SREEKANDAN:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that there has been lull in the arrival of domestic tourists to Kerala State in recent times, including the current season;
- (b) whether it is also true that domestic tourist prefer to travel abroad than to Kerala by availing leave travel allowance;
- (c) whether it is a fact that tourism players in Sri Lanka, the US, South East Asian and European countries were offering competitive rates; and
- (d) if  so,  the  steps taken by the Government to attract tourists of both domestic and foreign tourists to Kerala?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a)  to  (d):  The  details  of  domestic  tourist  visits  (DTVs)  in  Kerala  during

2022-2024 (till March) is given below:

(in lakh)

| Month     |   2022 |   2023(P) | 2024(P)   |
|-----------|--------|-----------|-----------|
| January   |  12.34 |     18.29 | 18.29     |
| February  |  11.62 |     15.71 | 16.11     |
| March     |  13.99 |     15.37 | 15.98     |
| April     |  16.11 |     19.28 | -         |
| May       |  19.11 |     21.74 | -         |
| June      |  15.79 |     16.46 | -         |
| July      |  14.32 |     16.69 | -         |
| August    |  14.81 |     18.95 | -         |
| September |  15.72 |     17.22 | -         |
| October   |  17.39 |     17.96 | -         |
| November  |  16.83 |     18.74 | -         |
| December  |  20.65 |     22.33 | -         |
| Total     | 188.67 |    218.72 | 50.37     |

Source: State Tourism Department

P: Provisional

Ministry of Tourism does not maintain the data on preferences of tourists to  travel  abroad  or  the  incentives  for  the  same  provided  by  the  other

## countries.

Ministry  of  Tourism  has  taken  several  steps/initiatives  over  the  years  to attract tourists of both domestic and foreign in the country including the State of Kerala, details of which are given below:

- i. Ministry  of  Tourism  provides  financial  assistance  to  States/UTs including Kerala, for organizing fairs & festivals and tourism related events  such  as  seminars,  conclaves,  conventions  etc.  under  the Domestic Promotion & Publicity including Hospitality (DPPH) scheme. Under  this scheme,  financial assistance of Rs.25.00  lakh  was provided  to  Kerala  for  organizing  Sargalaya  International  Arts  and Crafts Festival in 2022-23.
- ii. 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 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.
- 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, Kumarakom and Kozhikode (Beypore) destinations have been identified for development in the State of Kerala.
- iv. With an aim  to enable lawful inward movement  of  foreigners including foreign tourists,  Government  has  taken  a  number  of initiatives  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,  e-Ayush Visa, e-Ayush Attendant Visa and e-Conference visa for the nationals of 167 countries has been provided.
- v. Under  the  Marketing  Development  Assistance  Scheme,  financial assistance is provided to the State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration for undertaking tourism promotional activities including  Sales  tours,  participation  in  Fairs/Exhibitions  and  Road Shows  in  the  overseas  markets,  and  online  promotion  of  tourism destinations  and  products,  tour  packages  in  the  overseas  markets, including content creation/production of digital promotional brochures/leaflets etc.

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