Lok Sabha Question No. 4 (STARRED), answered on 2016-07-18
Subject: Development of Tourism in Lakshadweep
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: FAIZAL P.P. MOHAMMED

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*4 ANSWERED ON 18.07.2016

## DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN LAKSHADWEEP

- *4. MOHAMMED FAIZAL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  tourists  arrival,  both  domestic  and  international  in  the Lakshadweep Group of Islands along with the revenue earned therefrom; (b) whether  the Government  has  taken  note of lack of Air Connectivity, hotels/accommodation and other facilities/services  to  the  tourists  in  the  Islands  and  if  so,  the details thereof; whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  improve  tourism sector in the Lakshadweep, if so, the details thereof and the
- (c) steps taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (d) the funds made available and likely to be made available for the purpose, to promote tourism in the Islands?

## ANSWER

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

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

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STATEMENT IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*4 ANSWERED ON 18.07.2016 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN LAKSHADWEEP.

(a): The  number  of  Domestic  Tourist  Visits  (DTVs)  and  Foreign Tourist  Visits  (FTVs)  to  the  Union  Territory  (UT)  of  Lakshadweep during 2015 were 17241  and 1173, respectively. The  growth registered in DTVs and FTVs during 2015 over 2014 were 136% and 128%, respectively. Ministry of Tourism does not compile revenue earned from tourism, however, the Foreign Exchange Earned (FEE) from tourism during 2015 was Rs.135193 Crore. This information is not compiled separately for States/UTs.

(b): Yes, Madam. Lakshadweep faces constraints in development of Tourism, like connectivity, accommodation, Supply of Water, etc. It has also taken steps to overcome some of these constraints:

-  To  overcome connectivity  constraints,  Alliance  air  under  Air India is operating an ATR 42 aircraft six days a week between Kochi and Agatti. Helicopter service is also provided between Agatti  -  Kavaratti  -  Bangaram.  Some  seats  are  reserved  in passenger ships for tourists also.
-  To  overcome  limitations  of  accommodation,  Department  of Tourism,  Lakshadweep  has  created  a  total  bed  capacity  of more  than  176 beds  including 52 bed  capacity  in  the  tented accommodation  at  Bangaram  &  Thinnakara.    Moreover,  ship based packages i.e. packages where passengers stay overnight on  ship  only and visit  the  islands  in  daytime  have also been introduced - so as to reduce load on islands.
-  The Low Power Thermal Desalination Plants have been set up in  the  islands  of  Kavaratti,  Minicoy  and  Kadmat to meet the drinking water requirements of inhabitants and visiting tourists.

(c): Yes,  Madam.  The  Lakshadweep  Administration  has  notified Lakshadweep Tourism Policy, which envisages for holistic development of tourism in the entire UT of Lakshadweep. Besides this, other steps taken by Department of Tourism, UT of Lakshadweep, are as under:

-  Agatti  and  Minicoy  Islands  of  Lakshadweep  have  been declared as authorized Immigration Check Posts for entry/exit  from  India  with  valid  travel  documents  for  all classes of passengers.
-  Department  of  Tourism  participates  in  various  fairs  and festivals  conducted  in  various  parts  of  the  country  to promote Lakshadweep tourism.
-  Department  of Tourism has been conducting National Minicoy Fest, every year to showcase Lakshadweep culture and customs to rest of the world. 4th National Minicoy Fest 2015  was  organized  on 27th and 28th  December,  2015  at Minicoy Island.
-  A  short  film  on  important  tourist  destinations  and  water sports activities has been produced by the department for promoting Lakshadweep Tourism.
- (d): Development and promotion of tourism is responsibility of the respective State Governments and Union Territory Administrations.

The Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to  them  for  tourism  projects  subject  to  adherence  of  existing scheme guidelines, availability of funds and liquidation of utilisation certificates for funds released earlier.

Details  of  projects  sanctioned  by  the  Ministry  to  the  UT  of Lakshadweep under PIDDC Scheme are as below:

|   Sl. No | Project Name                                                                               | Year    | Amount Sanctioned   |
|----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|---------------------|
|        1 | Holding of "Hamfest" a Convention of International Amateur Radio Operator at Kadmat Island | 2006-07 | Rs.7.00 Lakh        |
|        2 | Augmentation Tourist Infrastructure in the U.T. of Lakshadweep                             | 2007-08 | Rs.782.73 Lakh      |

No projects have been sanctioned to the UT of Lakshadweep during the 12 th  plan.

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