Lok Sabha Question No. 1635 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-31
Subject: Re-establishment of India as Tourist Paradise
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Dileshwar Kamait

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1635

## ANSWERED ON 31.07.2023

## RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF INDIA AS TOURIST PARADISE

## 1635. SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  has  been  a  lot  of  praise  for  India  as  a  tourist destination, however, poor form of sanitation, safety and transportation  related  issues  are  dragging  down  the  country's tourism's reputation;
- (b)
- if so, the response of Government thereon;
- (c) whether  there  is  a  need  to  promote  India's  diversity  and  rich heritage to re-establish its position as a tourist paradise; and
- if so, the steps taken by the Government and success achieved so

## ANSWER

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (d) far?

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

- (a): There has been a lot of praise for India as a tourist destination. Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) for the year 2022 were 6.19 Million as compared  to  1.52  Million  in  the  year  2021  registering  a  growth  of 305.43%.
- (b): Considering the importance of cleanliness & hygiene, Ministry of Tourism  has  been  implementing  the  Swachhta  Action  Plan (SAP) activities through Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM),  Gwalior,  Central  Institute  of Hotel  Managements  (CIHMs), State Institute of Hotel Managements (SIHMs)    and Food Craft Institutes (FCIs) across the country.

In addition to above, Tourism Awareness/Sensitization programmes for existing service providers are also conducted under Capacity    Building for  Service  Providers  Scheme.  Each  course  is  of  2  days  to  6  days duration.  The  primary  objective  of  the  programme  is  to  eventually achieve an improved service ambience and experience for the tourist and to further the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Safety & Security of tourists is essentially a State Government subject. However, Ministry of Tourism has taken various measures to address issues relating to safety & security of tourists visiting India as detailed below:

- Ministry  of  Tourism  has  taken  up  the  matter  with  all  State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations for setting up of  dedicated  Tourism  Police.  With  the  efforts  of  Ministry  of Tourism,  the  State  Governments/UT  Administrations  of  Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh have deployed tourist police
- i. in one form or the other.
- ii. Ministry of Tourism through Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management (IITTM) got a study conducted  naming 'Functioning of Tourist Police in States/UTs & Documentation of  Best Practices', to understand the requirement of tourist police and sensitizing the tourist police towards the needs of the tourists, which was sent to all the States/UTs. A training module, as given by IITTM for imparting training was also forwarded to Ministry of Home  Affairs, which was further circulated to the Chief Secretaries of all state Governments/UT Administrations.
- iii. To develop a comprehensive  framework, Bureau of Police Research  and  Development  (BPR&D)  commissioned  a  study  on Tourist  Police  Scheme  and  formulated  a  very  comprehensive report and have also formulated a five days training programme for  the  tourist  police  of  States/UTs.  The  report  and  training programme  have  also  been  shared  with  the  Ministry  of  Home Affairs, Ministry of Tourism and all the States/UTs. Accordingly, Ministry  of  Tourism  in  collaboration  with  the  Ministry  of  Home Affairs  and  BPR&D  organized  a  National  Conference  on  Tourist Police Scheme  with the Director Generals (DGs)/Inspector Generals  (IGs)  of  Police  Department  of  all  the  States/UTs  on 19.10.2022 in New Delhi.
- iv.
- The Ministry of Tourism has set up a 24x7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Info-Helpline on the toll free number 1800111363 or on a short code 1363 in 12 Languages including 10 international languages (German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese,  Russian, Chinese, Japanese,  Korean,  Arabic),  Hindi  and  English  for  domestic  and
- foreign tourists to provide support service in terms of information relating  to  Travel  in  India  and  to  offer  appropriate    guidance  to tourists in distress while travelling in India.
- v. The Ministry of Tourism along with all stakeholders, including the Tourism  Departments  of  all  States  and  UTs,  have  adopted  the 'Code of Conduct for Safe & Honourable Tourism' which is a set of guidelines to encourage tourism activities to be undertaken with respect  for  basic  right  like  dignity,  safety  and  freedom  from exploitation  of  both  tourists  and  local  residents  in    particular, women and children.

Ministry of Tourism (MoT) is working in coordination with Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) to improve the  road connectivity and wayside amenities to the important tourist destinations.

- (c) & (d): The Ministry of Tourism provides Financial Assistance to State Governments/Union  Territory  Administrations/  Central  Agencies  for development of tourism infrastructure in the country, under its ongoing schemes of 'Swadesh Darshan', 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage  Augmentation  Drive'  (PRASHAD)  and  'Assistance  to  Central Agencies'.

Ministry  of  Tourism  promotes India as  a  holistic  destination  in  the tourism generating markets to promote various Indian tourism products and tourism destinations of the country to increase India's share of the global tourism market. 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. 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. Further, in order to boost visitor arrival Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has declared 'Incredible India! Visit India Year 2023'.

In addition, one of the categories for classification of hotels granted by the Ministry of Tourism under its voluntary scheme for classification/ approval  is  Heritage  Hotel  category,  which  aims  at preservation  of heritage  properties  such  as  palaces,  castles,  forts,  havelis,  hunting lodges and residences of any size that predates 1950. It is pertinent that these units' facade, architectural features and general construction  should  have  the  distinctive  qualities  and  ambience  in keeping with the traditional way of life of the area.

Ministry of Tourism has approved 55 No. of hotels under the Heritage category in the country through NIDHI portal as on 25.07.2023. Further, the 'Utsav Portal', a digital initiative of the Ministry, aims to showcase all the events, festivals  and live darshans across India to promote different regions of the country as popular tourist destinations worldwide. This portal showcases month-wise and State wise calendar contents  on  festivals,  events  and  online  pooja/aarti  including  events and festivals of each State.

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