Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge)
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The number of Foreign Tourist Visits ( FTVs) to different States/ Union Territories for the year 2013, 2014 and 2015 were 19.95 million, 22.33 million and 23.33 million, respectively. The top five States, in terms of number of FTVs during 2015 were Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and West Bengal. The States/UTs, namely, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Bihar, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand witnessed decrease in FTVs during 2015 as compared to 2012. The status of Andhra Pradesh and Telengana has been treated together in view of non availability of break-up of data of FTVs for the year 2012. Some of the factors responsible for Foreign Tourist Arrivals in any country, including India, are economic conditions of the source and destination countries, air connectivity, etc. The initiatives taken by the Ministry of Tourism in the recent years for promoting tourism and to attract more tourists in the county are as below:
• Launch of the Swadesh Darshan and PRASAD (National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) Schemes in the year 2014-15 with a vision to develop theme based tourist circuits to enrich tourist experience and beautify and improve the amenities and infrastructure at pilgrimage centres.
• Introduction of e-Tourist Visa facility for the citizens of 150 countries at 16 airports.
• Revision of e-TV fee in four slabs of 0, US$25, US$48 and US$60 from November 3, 2015. Earlier e-TV application fee was US$60 and bank charge as US$2 which was uniform for all the countries. The revision of Visa fee has been done on the principle of reciprocity. Bank charges have also been reduced from US$2 to 2.5 % of the e-TV fee.
• The Ministry of Tourism has launched ‘Welcome Booklet’ with information on Do’s and Don’ts for tourists, contact details of India Tourism domestic offices and Tourist Helpline Number for distribution at immigration counters to tourists arriving at international airports.
• Organization of biennial International Buddhist Conclave.
• Organization of Annual International Tourism Mart for promotion of tourism in North Eastern States. The Ministry of Tourism has taken the following measures to ensure the safety and security of foreign tourists:
• The Ministry of Tourism has
launched the Toll Free Multi--
Lingual Tourist Helpline on 8.2.2016. The languages handled by the Tourist Helpline include ten International languages besides English and Hindi, namely, Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. This service is available on the toll free number 1800111363 or on a short code 1363 and operational 24x7 in a year offering a “multi-lingual helpdesk” in the designated languages to provide support service in terms of providing information relating to Travel & Tourism in India to the domestic and International tourists and to assist the callers with advice on action to be taken during times of distress while travelling in India and if need be alert the concerned authorities. • All the Chief Ministers of the State Governments and Administrators of UTs have been asked to take immediate effective steps for ensuring a conducive and friendly environment for all tourists and also requested them to publicize the steps being taken/proposed to be taken to increase the sense of security amongst the present/ prospective visitors and also to counter the negative publicity, if any.
• The National Tourism Ministers’ Conference convened on 21st August, 2014 in New Delhi resolved that the Departments of Tourism of all States and UTs will work for ensuring the safety and security of tourists, especially women.
• Adoption of code of conduct by the Indian travel and tourism industry for Safe and Honourable Tourism, which contains a set of guidelines to encourage tourism activities to be undertaken with respect to basic rights like dignity, safety and freedom from exploitation of both tourists and local residents, in particular women and children. This information was given by Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Rajya Sabha
Development of Tourism in Islands
Niti Aayog has informed that they have taken up an initiative for preparation of a Concept Development Plan and detailed Master Plans for Holistic development of 10 Islands in Andaman & Nicobar as well as Lakshadweep Islands. Andaman & Nicobar Administration has formulated a “Tourism Policy” in the year 2010 for development of tourism. Similarly, Lakshadweep Administration has notified Lakshadweep Tourism Policy-2016, which envisages for holistic development of tourism in the entire UT of Lakshadweep Islands. Lakshadweep Administration has informed that they are in the advance stage of finalizing the Guidelines for establishment of Eco-friendly Resort, Scuba diving Centres etc. These guidelines will enable establishment of tourism infrastructure in all the tourist focal islands of Lakshadweep through Public as well as Private Investment and Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. A Request for Qualification (RFQ)cum-Request for Proposal (RFP) document has been prepared and uploaded on the website of NITI Aayog for engagement of a suitable consultant to facilitate preparation of Concept Development Plan and Detailed Master Plans for five Andaman & Nicobar Islands as well as five Lakshadweep Islands. The Administration of Andaman & Nicobar Islands has established separate Department “Directorate of Disaster Management” for managing disasters. A State Control Room has also been established and functioning 24/7 x 365 days. The Emergency Operation Centres are functioning in coordination with all line departments/ stakeholder under the supervision and control of State Emergency Operation Centre with fine state of Art communication linkage with support of Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Hyderabad, Indian Meteorological Department, New Delhi, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). In Lakshadweep, the Integrated Island Management Plan (IIMP) has taken care of the protection in the event of natural calamities. At present, SPORTS (Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism & Sports), the Government agency of Union Territory of Lakshadweep, employs tribals for running tourism and the UT Department of Tourism is imparting training to them in tourism related field. The Andaman & Nicobar Administration have informed that tribal areas are not open for tourism in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. This information was given by Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Promotion of Village Tourism
The Ministry of Tourism has launched
Swadesh Darshan Scheme in 201415 for Integrated Development of Theme-Based Tourist Circuits in the country. Rural Circuit is one of the thirteen thematic circuits identified for development under the scheme. Development and promotion of tourism infrastructure is primarily undertaken by the State Governments/ UTs. However, Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance for projects which are identified in consultations with the State Governments/UTs. The projects are sanctioned subject to availability of funds, submission of suitable detailed project reports, adherence to scheme guidelines and utilization of funds released earlier. No project has been sanctioned under the Rural Circuit theme of Swadesh Darshan Scheme till date.
5th International Tourism Mart Inaugurated in Imphal, Manipur
The 5th International Tourism Mart (ITM) was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Manipur Shri Okram Ibobi Singh in presence of Union Tourism Secretary Shri Vinod Zutshi in Imphal Manipur, today. The ITM is organized by the Union Ministry of Tourism in association with the North Eastern States and the state of West Bengal. Inaugurating the Mart, the Chief Minister of Manipur Shri Okram Ibobi Singh expressed the International Tourism Mart would provide a good platform to promote tourism in the State of Manipur besides the other neighbouring states in the region. He further added that timing the ITM during the 10 day long Sangai Festival Organised by the State Government of Manipur brings out an opportunity to showcase the varied cultural and natural heritage of the State. He also stated that this is the first ever time that the State had seen presence of such a large presence of tourism stakeholders from abroad which will lay the foundation for promotion of tourism in the State. He also stressed on the need for developing air connectivity to the state especially bringing in International flights to Imphal. Delivering the special address, the Union Tourism Secretary Shri Vinod Zutshi affirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Tourism in developing and promoting the tourism in the north east region. He touched upon the various initiatives of the Ministry of Tourism in developing and promoting the tourism infrastructure in the North East Region. He said that for North Eastern States, the Ministry has sanctioned 12 projects worth Rs. 1070.07 Crores covering all the 8 states under its flagship scheme of Swadesh Darshan. Acknowledging the support extended by Government of Manipur, the host State of this year’s ITM 2016 and the roles of other participating State Governments, Shri Vinod Zutsh urged all the states in the North East region of the country to synergise their efforts for integrated and holistic development and promotion in the region This 5th International Tourism Mart 2016, spread over three days is seeing participation of 48 international delegates comprising of tour operators and media persons from delegates from Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, U A E, UK and USA. This mart also has participation of 80 tour operators from eight north eastern States and West Bengal besides domestic buyers (tour operators) from different regions of the country. The State Tourism Departments of eight north eastern states and West Bengal have put up colourful exhibitions at the mart venue which was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Manipur and the Union Tourism Secretary. These States are also highlighting their rich and varied culture and distinct cuisines.