Lok Sabha Question No. 10 (STARRED), answered on 2015-11-30
Subject: Hospitality Development and Promotion Board
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: AJAY NISHAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*10 ANSWERED ON 30.11.2015

## HOSPITALITY DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION BOARD

†*10. SHRI AJAY NISHAD:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of existing mechanism for the promotion and development of tourism industry, including hotel projects;
- (b) whether the Government has approved the setting up of Hospitality  Development  &  Promotion  Board  for  hotel projects and development of tourism in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of the tasks assigned to the Board?

## ANSWER

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

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

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STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA 30.11.2015 PROMOTION

STARRED QUESTION NO.†*10 ANSWERED ON REGARDING HOSPITALITY DEVELOPMENT AND BOARD.

The existing mechanism for the promotion and development of tourism industry, including hotel projects, is as under:-

- (I): Development of Tourism is primarily the responsibility of  the concerned State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. However, the Ministry of Tourism, provides financial assistance to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations  for  tourism  projects,  which  are  prioritized  in consultation  with  them  and  funds  are  released  subject  to submission of utilization certificates for funds released earlier, adherence to the scheme guidelines, inter - se - priority and availability of funds under the relevant scheme. The Ministry of Tourism has recently launched the following two new schemes:
- Swadesh  Darshan  -  Integrated  Development  of  Theme-
- i. Based Tourist Circuits.
- ii. National Mission of Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD).
- (II): Promotional activities are undertaken in important and potential  tourist  generation  markets  overseas  through  the India Tourism Offices abroad with the objective of showcasing India's  tourism  potential  and  rich  cultural  heritage.  These promotional activities include participation in travel fairs and exhibitions; organizing road shows, know India Seminars and work shops; 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  this  Ministry.  Financial  support  is
- also  extended  under  the  Marketing  Development  Assistance Scheme  (MDA)  to  approved  tourism  service  providers  for undertaking tourism promotional activities overseas.
- (III):  The Ministry of Tourism approve hotel projects at project level and classify the operational hotels for 1 Star to 5 Star Deluxe Category and Heritage Category. With a view to bring in more transparency  and  simplifying  the  procedure  in  submission  of application, Ministry of Tourism has introduced digitization of application  for  classification/re-classification/project  approval hotels.  The  software  (http://hotelcloud.nic.in)  for  online
- of submission of application has been made operational.
- (b) & (c): Yes, Madam. The Government has notified the creation of a 'Hospitality Development  and  Promotion  Board' (HDPB) for approval  and  facilitation  of  hotel  projects.  The  main  objective  of HDPB is to facilitate clearances of hotel projects  in a time bound manner and also provide policy advice for development of hospitality sector. The functions of the HDPB are as under:
- i. To be a single point for receiving applications for various clearances.
- ii. To fast track approval/clearance of hotel project proposals in a time bound manner.
- iii. To review the hotel project policies and to communicate with other agencies such as the Administrative Ministries/Departments/Agencies in order to set up guidelines that are transparent and which encourage the growth of hotel/hospitality infrastructure in the country.
- iv. To interact with Government, non-Government and Industry bodies in order to increase the hotel/hospitality infrastructure in the country.

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