Lok Sabha Question No. 3434 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-16
Subject: Heritage Tourism Promotion
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Dr. Kadiyam Kavya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3434

## ANSWERED ON 16.12.2024

## HERITAGE TOURISM PROMOTION

## 3434. DR. KADIYAM KAVYA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  schemes  and  programmes  of  the  Government  to enhance/promote heritage tourism in the country;
- (b) the  details  of  the  achievements  in  terms  of  tourism  activities during the last three years;
- (c) whether  the  Government  and  its  departments  have  undertaken any capacity-building and training initiatives for the stakeholders associated with tourism; and
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM       (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a): The Ministry promotes various tourist destinations and products including  Heritage  Tourism  in  the  country  through  various  initiatives including  promotional  events,  assistance  to  State  Governments/UT administrations, organizing fairs and festivals, participation in exhibitions, website and social media.

The  Ministry  had  set  up  the  "Incredible  India"  exhibition  for  the International delegates of 46th Session of World Heritage Committee Meeting,  at  Bharat  Mandapam,  New  Delhi  in  July  2024.  In  addition, during the event Heritage walks for the delegates were also organised.

Ministry of Tourism also organised 12th International Tourism Mart in Kaziranga, Assam, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.

The  delegates  also  visited  Charaideo  Moidams,  Rangghar,  Sivasagar during the event.

Ministry  of  Tourism  through  its  domestic  tourism  offices  undertakes various activities such as Webinars, Quiz, Seminars, Tourism Promotional Events, Fam tours, Heritage walks etc. across country for promotion of Heritage Tourism.

Ministry  of  Tourism  has launched Dekho Apna Desh People's Choice poll  which  aim  to  engage  with  citizens  to  identify  most  preferred tourist  attractions  across  5  tourism  categories  -  Spiritual,  Nature  & Wildlife, Adventure, Cultural & Heritage.

The  Ministry of Tourism  is also promoting  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.

- (b): Details of some  of the achievements  in terms of tourism activities during the last three years is below:-
- The Ministry of Tourism launched its Swadesh Darshan scheme in the year 2014-15 under which financial assistance is provided to the States/UT Administrations/Central Agencies etc. for development of Tourism Infrastructure in the country. Since its inception in 2014-15 till 2018-19, a total number of 76 projects, have  been  sanctioned  in  the  country  for  a  revised  sanction amount  of  Rs.5287.90  Crore.    Out  of  these  76  projects,  75 projects are reported physically complete.
- The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  revamped  its  Swadesh  Darshan scheme in the form of Swadesh Darshan 2.0 with the mission to create a robust framework for integrated development of tourism destinations.  In  consultation  with  the  State  Governments/UT
- Administrations  and  in  line  with  the  scheme  guidelines,  34 projects  in  the  country  have  been  sanctioned  for  development under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 at a total cost of Rs.793.20 Crore.
- The 'National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Augmentation Drive' (PRASAD) has been launched by the Ministry of  Tourism  as  a  Central  Sector  Scheme  with  the  objective  of integrated  development  of  identified  pilgrimage  and  heritage destinations. Since its launch in January 2015 and as on date the Ministry has sanctioned 48 projects in the country with approved cost  of  Rs.1646.99  Crore.  23  projects  are  reported  physically complete.
- Under 'Scheme for Special Assistance to States/Union Territories for Capital Investment (SASCI)' Government of India has recently sanctioned 40 Projects in the country for Rs.3295.76 Crore.
- Launched Dekho Apna Desh Campaign to promote lesser known destinations,  keep  connected  with  stakeholders  and  encourage citizens to travel within the country.
- Launch of 'Paryatan Mitra' and 'Paryatan Didi' initiative.

(c) to (d): The Ministry  of  Tourism  under  its  scheme  of  'Capacity Building  for  Service  Providers  (CBSP)'  conducts  short  term  skill certification training programmes through various institutes across the country in order to capitalize the vast tourism potential to the fullest and provide professional expertise to the local populace for fresh as well  as  existing  service  providers  thus  making  the  locals  more employable.

The various training programmes conducted under the CBSP scheme includes  Hunar  Se  Rozgar  Tak  (Capacity  Building),  Skill  Testing  & Certification (Re-Skilling), Entrepreneurship Programme, Tourism Awareness Programme etc. The detail of candidates trained under the CBSP scheme in the country during the last three years is as under:

| Financial Year (FY)   |   Number of persons trained |
|-----------------------|-----------------------------|
| 2021-22               |                       22034 |

| 2022-23   | 21641   |
|-----------|---------|
| 2023-24   | 24153   |
| 2024-25*  | 30230*  |

* Provisional figures for the FY 2024-25

To enhance the overall experience of tourists by making available a pool of local, trained professionals at tourist sites across the country, Ministry launched the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITF) Certification Programme -a Pan-India online learning program.

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