Rupinder Brar

Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

A sum of INR 2400 crores has been earmarked for the Ministry of Tourism. This budget is 18.42 per cent higher than 2021-22 and will be utilised by the Ministry for developing tourism infrastructure, marketing and promotion, and capacity building.

Out of the INR 2400 crores, INR 1644 crores has been earmarked for the development of tourism infrastructure, including an outlay of INR 1181.30 crore for the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. Fifty-five new destinations are being planned to be developed under the Swadesh Darshan scheme. The Ministry has further allocated INR 227 crore for the Northeastern states for the year 2022-23. INR 98 crores is earmarked under the Tribal Sub Plan for the creation of tourism infrastructure in the tribal areas.

Another flagship scheme of the Ministry, the PRASHAD Scheme, aims for the holistic development of selected pilgrimage destinations in the country. An amount of INR 235 crores has been allocated for the PRASHAD Scheme.

Domestic tourism surges between the various COVID phases, came as a lifesaver for the hotels in these testing times not only generating record occupancies and room revenue, all this thanks to better connectivity and accessibility to hitherto off the grid destinations making it easy and comfortable for people to commute.

‘If travel cannot happen, tourism cannot happen and for travel to happen, connectivity is the key.’ Announcements of road network expansion and 400 new generation Vande Bharat Express trains over the next three years and will improve connectivity, efficiency and passenger experience. In order to improve connectivity in difficult terrains and promote tourism, the National Ropeways Development Programme will be taking up the development of ropeways under the PPP model as a sustainable alternative to roadways.

The Ministry of Tourism as an advocacy and support ministry for the sector is sympathetic to the concerns and pains of its stakeholders and the inbound tour operators and has been constantly in touch with the Department of Financial Services, Civil Aviation Ministry and Health Ministry to facilitate a fast return to normalcy in these uncertain times however the benign nature of the Omicron phase now gives a ray of hope.

Streamlining the process to avail of the loans announced for the tour guides and DOT registered agents is ongoing and many have already availed of the same. Industry concerns on TCS, GST were also flagged to the Ministry of Finance and we shall again take up the matter with the finance ministry as the redressal and consideration of grievances and suggestions is an ongoing process.

Our energies are now needed to revive demand to make businesses self-sustaining, we have written to the Ministry of Health that protocols need to be eased out to encourage people to travel, suggesting that double vaccinated people need not be subjected to pre-post travel screening and restrictions like many other countries have now started doing this will revive demand. Regarding the 5,00,000 free visas announced, we are taking up the issue with the Ministry of Home Affairs to extend and we are sure they will be accommodative as the intent is to bring in the visitors. Also opening up of the airspace to scheduled airline operations is being pursued with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, given the impact of Omicron the possibility seems nearer but again the final call has to be taken by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in consultation with Health Ministry.

Regarding SEIS, we have no communication; it is not our domain subject; however, the industry can write to us and we shall seek clarification from the Ministry of Commerce. The Ministry will continue to place focus on marketing and promoting both domestic and inbound tourism, by leveraging the success of India’s robust COVID-19 vaccination drive.