Lok Sabha Question No. 2508 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-09
Subject: Mobile Apps to Promote Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: BALASUBRAMANIAM SENGUTTUVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2508 ANSWERED ON 09.05.2016

## MOBILE APPS TO PROMOTE TOURISM

## 2508. SHRI B. SENGUTTUVAN:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any proposals to develop various mobile applications aimed at developing tourism in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  open  tourism centres  in  the  European  countries  to  facilitate  prospective tourists by providing them information on the places of tourist interest and thereby encourage tourism in India and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the other proactive steps taken by the Ministry of Tourism to attract tourists into the country?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  launched  the  'Incredible  India' mobile application to  assist international and domestic tourists to access  information  about  Ministry  of  Tourism  recognized  tourism service providers namely approved Inbound Tour Operators, Adventure Tour Operators, Domestic Tour Operators, Tourist Transport Operators, Travel Agents, Regional Level Guides, Classified Hotels available in respective cities/tourist centers, including  information  on  heritage  significance  of  the  place.  In addition,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  also  launched  a  Mobile  App 'Swachh Paryatan', which enables the general public to communicate their complaints about unclean areas/garbage piles, if any,  in  and  around  identified  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)

monuments  and  upload  the  same  along  with  their  remarks.  The application then sends an SMS to the ASI Nodal Officer concerned with the monument, on receipt of which the Nodal Officer gets the garbage  cleared/removed.  The  ASI  nodal  officer  will  update  the database on completion of the task so that the system can send an SMS to the complainant that his /her complaint has been attended to successfully. (b): The Ministry of Tourism has five Indiatourism Offices functioning in Europe, namely Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Paris and Milan for promotion of tourism from Europe to India. (c): Ministry of Tourism,  as  part  of its  on-going  promotional activities, releases print, electronic,  online  and outdoor media campaigns  in  the  source  markets  overseas,  under  the  Incredible India brand-line, to promote  various tourism  destinations and products of the country. A  series  of  promotional  activities  are  also  undertaken  in important and potential tourist generating markets overseas through  the  Indiatourism  Offices  Overseas  with  the  objective  of showcasing India's tourism potential and increasing tourist arrivals to  the  country.  These  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.

In  addition,  with  the  objective  of  augmenting  foreign  tourist arrivals  to  India,  the  Government of  India has introduced e-Tourist Visa facility for travellers from 150 countries.

***********