Lok Sabha Question No. 1804 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-31
Subject: Development of Country as 365 Days Tourist Destination
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: E. T. Mohammed Basheer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1804

## ANSWERED ON 31.07.2023

## DEVELOPMENT OF COUNTRY AS 365 DAYS TOURIST DESTINATION

## 1804. SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to develop the country as a 365 days tourist destination and promotion  of sustainable tourism;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  make  a  policy  in  this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details of action taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM                           (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a)  to  (d):  Promotion  and  development  of  Tourism  is  primarily  the responsibility of the State Governments/UT Administrations.

However,  Ministry  of  Tourism  is  supporting  State  Governments/UT Administrations  to  develop  India  as  a  365  days  tourist  destination. Ministry  of  Tourism  provides  Central  Financial  Assistance  (CFA)  to State Governments/UT Administrations through its Swadesh Darshan and  PRASHAD  schemes  for  development  of  tourism  infrastructure. CFA is also provided to Central Agencies under the scheme Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development.

As part of its on-going activities, Ministry of Tourism releases global print, electronic and  online  media  campaigns  in  important  and potential markets overseas, under the 'Incredible India' brand-line, to promote  various  tourism  destinations  and  products  of  the  country. Ministry  of  Tourism  is  developing  the  country  as  a  365  days  tourist destination.

To position India as a preferred global destination for sustainable and responsible  tourism.  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  formulated  National Strategy  for  Sustainable  Tourism.  Following  strategic  pillars  have been  identified  for  the  development  of  sustainable  tourism  in  the strategy document:-

i. Promoting Environmental Sustainability ii. Protecting Biodiversity iii. Promoting Economic Sustainability iv. Promoting Socio-Cultural Sustainability v. Scheme for Certification of Sustainable Tourism vi. IEC and Capacity Building vii. Governance

A National Board for Sustainable 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 shall guide the operationalisation and implementation of various strategic initiatives for development of sustainable tourism in the Country.

In  order  to  promote  sustainable and responsible tourist destinations and promote sustainable tourism in the country, Ministry of Tourism in association  with  IITTM,  UNEP  and  RTSOI  has  organised  Regional Workshops covering States/UTs of different regions in the country.

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.

In  addition  to  the  above,  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  now  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.

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