Lok Sabha Question No. 3261 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Evaluation of Schemes
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: RENUKA BUTTA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF TOURISM

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3261

ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015

EVALUATION OF SCHEMES

3261. SHRIMATI BUTTA RENUKA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether the Government has undertaken any Surveys/Studies during the last five years for formulation of policies, funding projects and evaluating effectiveness of schemes being implemented by the Ministry of Tourism;

(b) 	if so, the details thereof and recommendations made therein;

(c) 	whether the Government has commissioned any feasibility studies to identify and promote new areas as Tourist destinations; and

(d) 	if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a):	Yes,  Madam.

(b):	Major evaluation studies in respect of plan schemes undertaken by the Ministry of Tourism during last five years and their major recommendations are given in Annexure.

(c) and (d):		Ministry of Tourism had conducted a Study on identification of Tourism Circuits in each State (except North Eastern States) and Union Territory (UT), in association with the States/UTs, for integrated development. For identification of Tourism Circuits in the North Eastern Region, a study was conducted by the North Eastern Council, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3261 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2015 REGARDING **EVALUATION OF SCHEMES**

Major evaluation studies undertaken by the Ministry of Tourism during last five years and their major recommendations are as follows:

1.	Evaluation of Domestic Promotion and Publicity including Hospitality:

- Outdoor Advertising should be extended to other cities, apart from Mumbai and Delhi.
- Soft downloadable copies of brochures, maps, posters and other publicity materials can be made available to the potential tourists. These can also be linked to a query system as e -mailers to enrich the knowledge on the destinations. A web based and mobile based application on Indian tourism can also link to these.

2.	Evaluation of Hunar Se Rozgar Tak Scheme:

- Adequate emphasis on practical knowledge and Industry Orientation should be provided.
- The duration of the Food & Beverages Service and Food Production courses may be increased to 10 and 12 weeks.
- Interaction between trainees and prospective employers should be provided.
- New Areas like Bar operations, Front office operations, Indian Sweets & savoury gardening may be initiated.
- Different batches depending upon the educational qualifications of the trainees should be formed.

3.	Impact Evaluation of the Financial Incentive Scheme to Hotels:

- A widespread awareness of this incentive scheme should be taken up by the State Tourism offices wherein these sites are located using proper channels of both print and online.
- Incentives should also be extended to support hotels for betterment of facility, renovation and expansion instead of the support for new construction only.
- The period of tax holiday should be changed from the initial five years of operations to any 5 consecutive years during the initial 10 years of operations

4.	Study to evaluate the Effectiveness of Support for broad-basing of Hospitality Education:

- Clear guideline has to be given regarding the utilization of the funds to the beneficiary institutions.
- The courses offered by ITIs would be more fruitful and reputed if it is affiliated with the NCHMCT (National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology).
- The school authorities should lay down minimum criteria for students seeking admission in the course.

5.	Study to Evaluate the Plan Schemes of ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Infrastructure Development’:

- There is a need for wider coverage and publicity of the various projects to increase the visibility and thus the number of tourists visiting the sites.
- Detailed market viability studies in terms of demand-supply ratio and availability of technology should be carried out prior to planning and acquiring funds under the scheme by the central agencies.
- Coordination and convergence of resources between various departments and nodal agencies involved is a necessary precondition for the successful implementation of a project as observed in the delays caused by the delay in approvals in projects requiring multiple authorization.

6.	Study to Evaluate the Plan Scheme of ‘Computerization and IT’:

- The scheme needs to be reviewed to update its components to include the latest technology for implementation keeping stride with the advancement in technology in hardware/software products.
- The scheme should place guidelines for benchmarking of websites, hardware and software to bring about parity and standardize the computerization of tourism offices in the different states.
- The project at initiation should cover the training and technical assistance aspects for successful implementation.
- The scheme should be expanded to fund a project to link up the state tourism websites on a single platform so as to give wider scope and information to tourists.

7.	Study to Evaluate the Plan Schemes of ‘Large Revenue Generating Projects’:

- A detailed market strategy/effective dissemination methods need to be put in place to increase the visibility of the scheme.
- The maintenance of the projects should be undertaken by private companies/groups to ensure sustainability of the projects and continuous revenue flow from the projects.
- The nature of projects should be expanded during the Twelfth plan period to include high end & multispeciality destination development such as ethnic model villages, theme parks, resorts, etc.
- Financial disbursement could be made directly available to the implementing organisation under the supervision of the Project Monitoring Group and the state department of tourism and Ministry of tourism.
- The approving committee and Ministry of Tourism should undertake concerted efforts to invite bids and tenders from states for higher participation. The various state and national level tourist bodies and associations should also be consulted in the process of identification and finalization of projects.
- The role and functions of the Project Management Group should be clearly defined. The PMG should include an independent expert / group / firm with technical experts to provide technical assistance to evaluate the proposals and projects being implemented.
- Financial feasibility of the projects, market viability study based on the demand-supply ratio for economic benefits on local community and tourists, should be done prior to planning and execution of projects.
- The financial assistance to each project should be timely reviewed to meet the inflationary changes at the then current period.

8.	Evaluation of Scheme of Market Development Assistance:

- Increase the extent of financial assistance.
- Waive off restrictions on travel by Air India.
- Provide Hotel Stay allowance depending upon duration of the tour.
- Reduce time frame of disbursement and paperwork by creating database of documents.

9.	Evaluation cum Impact Study of Rural Tourism Projects:

- Properly conceptualized advertisement campaigns highlighting the project USPs should be started to improve public awareness about the project.
- Destinations with popular crafts and arts should be included in the purview of the project.
- State Government should be involved in the sustainability of the projects.
- Steps should be taken to involve local populace as much as possible.
- Tourism centric products should be developed and locals should be trained at tourist handling skills.

10.	Evaluation of the Scheme of Market Research and Professional Services:

- Private and govt. institutes of expertise should be included under the scheme for Twelfth Plan Period under the scheme for the conduction of different Survey/Studies.
- Experts from these institutes can also be included in meetings/seminars/conferences to gather some relevant views from them regarding the survey and studies.

11.	Evaluation of the Plan Scheme Product Infrastructure Development at Destinations and Circuits (PIDDC):

- There is a need for MOT to coordinate with concerned Departments for the security of the tourists. Also there is need for some periodic orientation and sensitization of the staff of the department of tourism and others who deal with tourists.
- The PIDDC scheme as such needs to be continued with these additional features and strengthen its implementation and improve its impact by streamlining the process of proposal writing, implementation and monitoring.

12.	Evaluation of the Plan Scheme of Financial Assistance to Institutes IHMs/ FCIs/ IITTM/ NCHMCT:

- The courses should be customized to have wider acceptance in hotel management educational institutes.
- Complete details of every students of Train the trainer programme should be maintained to know its impact.
- Training infrastructure should be further improved to give the experience of best quality hotels in the training labs.
- Faculties should be given opportunities and supported for undergoing training programmes for skill upgradation.
- Separate institutes for preservation and promotion of local cuisines are required.
- Revenue requirements of the institutes should be covered under CFA.

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