Lok Sabha Question No. 599 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-24
Subject: Schemes for Foreign Tourists
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Bhavana Gawali (Patil), Krupal Balaji Tumane

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.+599 ANSWERED ON 24.07.2023

## SCHEMES FOR FOREIGN TOURISTS

## †599.SHRIMATI BHAVANA PUNDALIKRAO GAWALI: SHRI KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  formulate  any  scheme  for foreign tourists and development of tourism in the country;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Ministry  maintains  records  regarding  the  number  of foreign  tourists  coming  to  the  country  on  tourist  visa  during  the last three years;
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government has taken cognizance of foreign tourists including  those  from  Western  countries  willing  to  settle  in  India and the reaction of Government thereto; and
- (f) whether the Government proposes to introduce any tour programme for foreign tourists on the lines of tour programmes for Indian citizens by some of the State Government?

## ANSWER

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(a) to (f): 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  incr ease  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 feedbacks for promotion of varied tourism products of India.

The  Ministry  of  Tourism  had  taken  various  measures  to  facilitate  the visits  of  foreign  tourists  such  including  24x7  toll  free  Multi-Lingual Tourist  Helpline,  providing  facility  of  e-Visa  of  5  sub-categories  i.e.  eTourist  visa,  e-Business  visa,  e-Medical  visa,  e-Medical  Attendant  visa and e-Conference visa for nationals of 167 countries and the E-Visa has been  further  liberalized  and  the  visa  fees  has been  substantially reduced.    In  order  to  improve  the  amenities  for  the  tourists  at  the monuments, Ministry of Tourism has started 'Adopt a Heritage Project' in coordination with the private sector for development and maintenance of tourist amenities at heritage sites/monuments and other tourist sites. Further,  Ministry  is  also  developing  and  promoting  'Niche  Tourism' products to attract  tourist  with  specific  interest  and  to  ensure  repeat visits  for  the  unique  products  in  which  India  has  a  comparative advantage.

## The  details  of  foreign  tourist  arrival  during  the  last  three  years  given below:

|   Year |   FTAs in India (in Million |   Percentage (%) Change over previous year |
|--------|-----------------------------|--------------------------------------------|
|   2020 |                        2.74 |                                      -74.9 |
|   2021 |                        1.52 |                                      -44.5 |
|   2022 |                        6.19 |                                      305.4 |

In  order  to  facilitate  the  visit  of  tourists,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  is running Pan-India Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITF) Certification Program,  a  digital  initiative  that  aims  at  creating  an  Online  learning platform  with  the  objective  of  creating  a  pool  of  well  trained  and profession  Tourist  Facilitators/Guides  across  the  country.    Further,  in order  to  boost  visitor  arrival  Ministry  of  Tourism,  Government  has declared 'Incredible India! Visit India Year 2023'.

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