Lok Sabha Question No. 3640 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-21
Subject: Share in GDP from Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shrirang Appa Barne, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, RAJAN BABURAO  VICHARE, DHARMENDRA YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3640 ANSWERED ON 21.12.2015

## SHARE IN GDP FROM TOURISM

3640. SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL: SHRI RAJAN VICHARE: SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government has set up target to generate 2.5 crore jobs from tourism during the 12th Five Year Plan;
- (b) if so, the details of the schemes worked out to promote tourism in the country, State-wise including Maharashtra;
- (c)
- the share of the tourism industry to the GDP of the country;
- (d) the target set by the Government for the 12th Five Year Plan;
- (e) whether  there  is  a  tremendous  scope  in  the  tourism  industry  to generate jobs as well as to enhance its contribution to GDP; and
- (f) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  steps  taken  for  employment generation in tourism sector?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Yes, Madam. The Working Group on Tourism for 12 th  Five Year Plan, set up by the Niti Ayog, the then Planning Commission, had estimated the generation  of additional  employment  of  2.5  crore  (direct  and indirect) during 2010 to 2016.

(b): Ministry  of  Tourism  operates  various  schemes  through  which Central  Financial  Assistance  (CFA)  is  provided  to  States/UTs  including Maharashtra for overall development and promotion of tourism.

Recently,  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  launched  following  two  new schemes for development of tourism in thematic manner:

## Swadesh Darshan

Swadesh  Darshan  was  launched  for  development  of  theme based tourist circuits in a way that caters to both mass and niche  tourism  in  a  holistic  manner.  Twelve  Circuits  namely North-East India Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit and Ramayana Circuit have been identified for development under this Scheme.

National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD)

This  Scheme  has  been  launched  for  the  development  and beautification of pilgrimage sites to tap the growth of domestic  tourists driven by religious sentiments  and  to augment  tourism  infrastructure  at  places  of  pilgrimage  to facilitate  pilgrims/tourists.  In  the  first  phase,  cities  namely Amritsar,  Kedarnath,  Ajmer,  Mathura,  Varanasi,  Gaya,  Puri, Dwarka, Amaravati, Kanchipuram, Vellankanni, Guwahati and Patna have been identified for infrastructure development.

The  Ministry  of  Tourism  (MoT),  Government  of  India,  promotes India as a holistic destination in the international markets. As part of its promotional activities, the MoT releases campaigns in the international markets  under  the  Incredible  India  brand-line  to  showcase  various tourism destinations those including  in  Maharashtra  and  products including  its  cultural  heritage.  In  addition  to  this,  the  MoT  promotes various tourism destinations those including in Maharashtra and products  through  its  websites  and  publicity  and  promotional  material produced from time to time.

Moreover, a series of promotional activities are being undertaken in tourist generating markets overseas through the India Tourism Offices abroad  with  the  objective  of  showcasing  India's  tourism  potential  and promoting tourism to the country. These promotional activities include participation  in  travel  fairs  and  exhibitions;  organising  road  shows, Know  India  seminars  &  workshops;  organizing  and  supporting  Indian food  and  cultural  festivals;  publication  of  brochures,  offering  joint advertising and brochure support, and inviting media personalities, tour operators and opinion makers to visit the country under the Hospitality programme of the Ministry.

The Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance to Stakeholders  and  Tourism  Departments  of  States/Union  Territories  for undertaking  promotional  activities  under  the  Marketing  Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme.

- (c):   As per the 2nd Tourism Satellite Account of India (TSA) - 2009-10 and  subsequent  estimation  for  the  next  three  years  namely  2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13, the contribution of tourism to total Gross Domestic Product  (GDP)  during  2009-10,  2010-11,  2011-12  and  2012-13  were 6.77%, 6.76%, 6.76% and 6.88%, respectively.
- (d): The following targets have been fixed for achievement during 12 th Plan:
- (e) & (f): Yes, Madam. Under the existing programme of the Ministry of Tourism, titled Hunar Se Rozgar Tak, training courses are conducted to create employable skills amongst youth who are minimum eighth pass and in the age group of 18-28 years. The programme  is being implemented  by  a  number  of  organizations  including  the  Institutes  of Hotel  Management,  Food  Craft  Institutes,  State  Tourism  Development Corporations  and  Classified  Hotels.  Presently,  this  programme  covers four hospitality trades, namely food production, food & beverage service, bakery  and  housekeeping,  and  a  few  other  tourism  specific  areas.  In June  2014,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  also  launched  a  6-month programme of training exclusively for the HSRT pass-outs in hospitality trades  to  give  them  vertical  skill  mobility.  In  September,  2014,  the Ministry  launched,  as  part  of  Hunar  Se  Rozgar  Tak,  a  programme  of training to bring up event facilitators. Under this initiative 63197 persons have been trained in 2014-15. During 2015-16, 56716 persons have been trained till 30 th  November, 2015.

| Indicators                                            | Targets for 2016   |
|-------------------------------------------------------|--------------------|
| Foreign Tourist Arrivals                              | 11.24 million      |
| Foreign Tourist Visits                                | 35.96 million      |
| Domestic Tourist Visits                               | 1451.46 million    |
| Foreign Exchange Earnings (in Rs. Crore)              | Rs.1,34,383 Crore  |
| Foreign Exchange Earnings (in US$)                    | US$30.3 billion    |
| Additional Employment (direct and indirect) over 2010 | 24.5 million       |

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