Lok Sabha Question No. 37 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-25
Subject: International Tourist Footfall
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Vijay Kumar Dubey, Smt. Aparajita Sarangi, Shri Suresh Kumar Kashyap

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.37

## ANSWERED ON 25.11.2024

## INTERNATIONAL TOURIST FOOTFALL

- 37 SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY: SMT. APARAJITA SARANGI: SHRI SURESH KUMAR KASHYAP:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of marketing and promotional strategies incorporated by the  Government  in  order  to  increase  the  footfall  of  international tourists  in  the  country  especially  in  Himachal  Pradesh  State  and Shimla constituency; and
- (b) the details of current rate structure pertaining to services provided as part of tours?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM         (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a): The Ministry of Tourism undertakes various promotional activities in important and potential tourist generating markets with the objective of  showcasing  India's  tourism  potential  and  promoting  tourism  to  the country, including the state of Himachal Pradesh. Details of promotional activities are as follows:
- i. Participation  in  international  travel  fairs  and  exhibitions  such  as World Travel Market (WTM) London, Feria Internacional de Turismo (FITUR)  Madrid,  International  Travel  &  Hospitality  Show  (MITT) Moscow, Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) Sydney, Internationale Tourismusbörse (ITB) Berlin, Arabian Travel
- Market (ATM) Dubai, International Meeting Exchange (IMEX) Frankfurt,  International  &  French  Travel  Market  (IFTM)  Top  Resa Paris, Japan Expo, Internationale Tourismusbörse Asia (ITB Asia), Singapore etc.
- ii. The  Chalo  India  initiative  has  been  launched  by  the  Ministry  to encourage  the  huge  Indian  diaspora  to  become  Incredible  India ambassadors  and  encourage  their  five  non-Indian  friends  to  visit India, every year.
- iii. A Chalo India portal has also been developed for registration of the Indian diaspora. Further gratis e visa to one lakh foreign tourists, visiting India under the referral program was announced.
- iv. Ministry of Tourism has launched the Incredible India Content Hub on the revamped Incredible India digital portal (www.incredibleindia.gov.in) on 27th September, 2024. The Incredible India Content Hub is a comprehensive digital repository of high-quality images, films, brochures and newsletters which can be easily accessed by the industry stakeholders (travel media, tour operators,  travel  agents)  across  the  globe  required  to  amplify Incredible India in all their marketing and promotional efforts. The revamped  Incredible  India  Digital  Portal  is  a  tourist-centric,  onestop digital solution designed to enhance the travel experience for visitors to India.
- v. Inviting media personalities, tour operators and opinion makers to visit the country under the Hospitality Programme of the Ministry.
- vi. The promotions are being carried out in association with the State Governments  and  the  Overseas  Indian  Missions  including  the  20
- identified Indian Missions.
- (b): Ministry  of  Tourism,  Government  of  India  is  not  the  regulatory authority for deciding the rate structure charged by Tourism Stakeholders.

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