Lok Sabha Question No. 115 (STARRED), answered on 2015-12-07
Subject: Low Cost Tourist Destination
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: A.T. (NANA) PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*115 ANSWERED ON 07.12.2015

## LOW COST TOURIST DESTINATION

- *115. SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  measures  to make  India  a  low  cost  tourist  destination  with  modern infrastructure  and  other  basic  amenities  in  the  tourism sector;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  explore  the  huge potential in tourism sector in order to enhance the foreign exchange earnings and job creation in tourism sector?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a)  to (c):  A Statement is laid on the Table of the Sabha.

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STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*115 ANSWERED ON 07.12.2015 REGARDING LOW COST TOURIST DESTINATION.

(a) & (b): The Government of India has taken following measures to make  India  a  low  cost  destination  with  modern  infrastructure  and other basic amenities in tourism sector:

- i) Stimulus to approve low cost accommodation like Bed & Breakfast units and guest houses.
2. ii) Revision of the e-Tourist Visa (e-TV) fee in four slabs of 0, US  $25,  US  $  48,  and  US  $60  from  November  3,  2015. Earlier, e-TV application fee was US $ 60 and bank charge was US $ 2 which was uniform for all the countries. Bank charges have also been reduced from US $ 2 to 2.5 % of the e-TV fee.
3. iii) With  the  objective  to  reduce  the  marketing  cost  of Foreign  Tour  Operators  in  developing  and  selling  tour packages  to  India,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  through  its India Tourism Offices overseas provides financial support in  form  of  'Brochure  Support'  for  producing  exclusive India  tour  package    brochures.      The  India  Tourism Offices  overseas  also  undertake  Joint  Promotions  and Joint  Advertising  with  Foreign  Tour  Operators  /travel agents/wholesalers, and Airlines, etc.
4. iv) Extending  rewards  under  Service  Exports  from  India Scheme  (SEIS).  The  SEIS  provides  for  rewards  to  all Service providers of notified services, who are providing services  from  India,  regardless  of  the  constitution  or profile  of  the  service  provider.  The  rewards  provided  to Tourism  and  Travel  related  services  under  SEIS  are  as follows:
- v) In  pursuance  of  the  budget  announcement  2014-15,  the Ministry of   Tourism has launched two new plan schemes (i)  'National  Mission  on  Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD)' and (ii) 'SWADESH  DARSHAN'.  Both  the  schemes  are  to  be implemented  in  mission  mode.  Developing  world-class infrastructure  in  the  respective  destinations/circuits  is one of the mission objectives of the schemes.
6. (c):    The  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  explore  the  huge potential in tourism sector in order to enhance the foreign exchange earnings and job creation in tourism sector inter alia include:
7. (i) Launch  of e-tourist visa schemes  now  available  for citizens of 113 Countries.
8. (ii) Promotion of the destination through the Incredible India campaign across the globe.
9. Participation  in  major  International  Tourism  &  Travel
10. (iii) Fairs &   Exhibitions.
11. (iv) Organising Road Shows to promote tourism destinations and products of country in major tourist source markets in collaboration with stake holders.
12. (v)
13. Development and promotion of 'Niche Tourism' products.
14. (vi) Organising  International  Buddhist  Conclave  once  in  2 years to show case the Buddhist Heritage and International  Tourism  Mart  for  showcasing  the  tourism potential of North East being held every year.
15. (vii)  Creating  an  increased  pool  of  trained  man  power  in Hospitality  &  Tourism  sectors  for  delivery  of  quality service to the tourist.
16. (viii) The Government of India, Ministry of Tourism launched a special initiative, called Hunar Se Rozgar Tak ( HSRT), in the year 2009-10, for creation of employable skills amongst youth specific to Hospitality and Tourism Sector.  The HSRT now offers training in following fields:
17. (a) Food production, food and beverage services, housekeeping and bakery.
18. (b) Training to provide driving skills.
19. (c) Enabling dispensations are also available for training to:
20.  revive the languishing skill of heritage conservation and stone masonry;
21.  impart skills to befit a Golf Caddy;
22.  impart skills in skin care & spa therapy;
23.  Tour Assistants, Transfer Assistants  and Office Assistants.
24.  bring up :
25. -Escorts  and  volunteers  to  accompany/guide tourists on identified Heritage Walk Stretches,
26. -
27. -
28. -

| a.   | Hotel                                       | 3%   |
|------|---------------------------------------------|------|
| b.   | Restaurants (including Catering)            | 3%   |
| c.   | Travel Agencies and tour operators services | 5%   |
| d.   | Tourist guides services                     | 5%   |

Tourist Facilitators, Security Guards, Event Facilitators.

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