Lok Sabha Question No. 1197 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Major Programmes to Promote Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: DUSHYANT SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1197 ANSWERED ON 02.05.2016

## MAJOR PROGRAMMES TO PROMOTE TOURISM

## 1197. SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the various overseas campaigns/major programmes  done  by  the  Government  in  other  countries  to promote Tourism in India;
- (b) the  details  of  the  Budget  Estimates  (BE),  Revised  Estimate (RE)  and  Actual  Expenditures  (AE)  on  overseas  campaigns during the last three years;
- (c) whether there have been significant differences in the BE and RE/AE during these years; and
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The  Ministry  of  Tourism,  as  part  of  its  on-going  activities, regularly releases  print, electronic, online  and outdoor media campaigns in the international markets, under the 'Incredible India' brand-line, to promote various tourism destinations and products of India with the objective of increasing foreign tourist arrivals to the country.  The  Ministry  of  Tourism  also  promotes  various  tourism destinations  and  products  through  its  website  and  publicity  and promotional material produced from time to time.

In addition, a series of promotional activities are undertaken in important and potential 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 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. Financial support is also extended  under the Marketing Development Assistance Scheme to approved service providers and State Governments/Union  Territories for promotional activities undertaken by them in the overseas markets including Sales-cumstudy tours, participation in Fairs/Exhibitions and Road Shows and production of publicity material, Sales Tours etc. (b) to (d): The differences in BE and RE were due to an overall cut in the budget  of  the Ministry  of  Tourism.  Further,  the  media campaigns for the year 2012-13 were carried forward and actually implemented  in  the  calendar  year  2013.  Full-fledged  centralized media campaigns could not get released in the next two years due to  various  reasons including demand for advance payment, lack of response  to  tender  and  non-finalization  of  media  plans  leading  to savings from the funds allocated for undertaking these activities. The details of the Budget Estimates (BE), Revised Estimates Promotional Marketing Development (OPMD) Scheme of the Ministry of Tourism

(RE) and Actual Expenditure under the Overseas are as under:

| Year    | Budget Estimate (BE) in crore   |   Revised Estimate (RE) in crore | Actual Expenditure (AE) in crore   |
|---------|---------------------------------|----------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| 2013-14 | 350. 00                         |                           216    | 195.29                             |
| 2014-15 | 330.00                          |                           164    | 166.36                             |
| 2015-16 | 330.00                          |                           190.05 | 164.69 *                           |

* Provisional

*********