Lok Sabha Question No. 3268 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-16
Subject: Transforming India as Biggest Tourist Hub
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Thiru Dr. S Jagathratchakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3268 ANSWERED ON 16.12.2024

## TRANSFORMING INDIA AS BIGGEST TOURIST HUB

## 3268. SHRI S JAGATHRATCHAKAN:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the fact that India is currently only the 22nd most visited nation in the world; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  steps that are proposed to be taken by the  Government  to  make  India  the  biggest  tourist  hub  in  the world?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF TOURISM     (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) & (b): According to the UNWTO Barometer (May 2024), India was ranked 24 th  globally in terms of International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs) in 2023*. During this period, India recorded 18.89 million ITAs, marking a significant  increase  from  14.33  million  in  2022,  reflecting  a  robust growth rate of 31.9%.
* The ranking for 2023 is provisional due to missing data from some countries.

Ministry of Tourism has taken several steps to make India the biggest tourist hub in the world as under:

- The Ministry of Tourism under the schemes  of 'Swadesh Darshan',  'National  Mission  on  Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)' and 'Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development' provides financial assistance to State
- Governments/Union  Territory  Administrations/Central  Agencies for the development of tourism related infrastructure and facilities at various tourism destinations in the country.
- Ministry  of  Tourism  through  its  various  campaigns  and  events promotes various tourism destinations and products of India in domestic and international markets. Some of the initiatives are Dekho Apna Desh campaign, Chalo India campaign, International Tourism Mart, Bharat Parv.
- The  Incredible  India  Content  Hub  was  launched  which  is  a comprehensive  digital  repository,  featuring  a  rich  collection  of high-quality images, films, brochures, and newsletters related to tourism  in  India.  Promotions  are  also  carried  out  through  the web-site -www.incredibleindia.org and social media handles of the Ministry.
- Thematic tourism like wellness tourism, culinary tourism, rural, eco-tourism, etc. amongst other niche subjects are promoted so as to expand the scope of tourism into other sectors as well.
- Enhance  the  overall  quality  and  visitor  experience  through initiatives focused on capacity building, skill development such as  'Capacity  Building  for  Service  Providers'  'Incredible  India Tourist Facilitator' (IITF), 'Paryatan Mitra' and 'Paryatan Didi'.
- For improving air connectivity to important tourist destinations, Ministry  of  Tourism  has  collaborated  with  Ministry  of  Civil Aviation under their RCS-UDAN Scheme. As on date, 53 tourism routes have been operationalized.
- e-Visa  scheme  is  now  available  to  168  countries  and  it  is available for 7 sub-categories:
- i. e-Tourist Visa
- ii. e-Business Visa
- iii. e-Medical Visa
- iv. e-Conference Visa
- v. e-Medical Attendant Visa
- vi. e-Ayush Visa
- vii. e-Ayush Attendant Visa

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