GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF TOURISM

RAJYA SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO.*173
ANSWERED ON 05.08.2015

CHALLENGES FACED BY TOURISM INDUSTRY

*173. SHRI AAYANUR MANJUNATHA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) the details of various challenges/issues/problems being faced by the tourism

industry;
(b) the steps taken/being taken by the Ministry to solve these issues; and
(c) the measures taken by Government for generation of additional employment
during the Twelfth Five Year Plan to help in resolving issues relating to
tourism industry?

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 RAJYA SABHA STARRED
QUESTION NO.*173 ANSWERED ON 05.08.2015 REGARDING CHALLENGES
FACED BY TOURISM INDUSTRY.

(a) to (c): The major issues faced by the tourism industry relate to entry formality (visa),
safety and security of tourists, lack of tourism infrastructure, lack of cleanliness and hygiene
in tourist spots, lack of connectivity, high and multiple taxation, etc.

The steps taken by the Govt. to solve these issues and for generation of additional
employment include the following:

 E-Tourist Visa launched on 27th November 2014, which enables the prospective
visitor to apply for an Indian Visa from his/her home country online without visiting
the Indian Mission and also pay the visa fee online. The e-Tourist Visa is presently
available for citizens of 77 countries arriving at 9 airports in India.

 The Ministry of Tourism persuaded the State Governments / UT Administrations to

set up Tourist Police at prominent tourist spots. The State Governments of Andhra
Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu
& Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha have deployed
Tourist Police, in one form or the other.

 The Ministry of Tourism has launched a 24x7 ‘Incredible India Help Line’ in
December, 2014 to provide the tourist valuable information and to guide them during
emergencies. It is intended to provide a sense of security to the tourists. This service
is available toll free on telephone no. 1800111363 or on a short code 1363.

 The Ministry has launched a ‘Welcome Booklet’ for distribution at immigration

counters to tourists arriving at international airports. The ‘Welcome Booklet’ contains
information on Dos and Don’ts for tourists, contact details of India Tourism domestic
offices and Tourist Helpline Number. The booklet is intended to be a helpful aid to
foreign tourists immediately on arrival.

 Incredible India Mobile Application, with a listing of approved hotels, tour operators,
travel agents, transport operators and Regional Level Guides has been launched. This
new application is to help the tourists receive quality & reliable services.
 The Ministry of Tourism as part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has taken initiatives to
sensitize all sections of society on the importance of cleanliness and hygiene in public
places particularly monuments and tourist destinations. The initiative is a blend of
persuasion, education, training, demonstration and sensitization of all sections of our
society. The objective is to ensure an acceptable level of cleanliness and hygiene
practices at tourist destinations. This cleanliness drive is to be sustained through
adoption and involvement of private and public sector stakeholders as part of their
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

 Swachh Bharat Swachh Pakwan (Hunar Zaika) launched in December, 2014, this
program aims at upgrading the skills and hygiene standards of Street Food Vendors.
As part of the orientation, the vendors are sensitized to personal, environmental and
waste disposal hygiene. The initiative converges two important initiatives of the
Government – ‘Skill India’ and ‘Clean India’. Funds provided under this programme
by the Ministry includes compensation to the vendors for the income loss during the
duration of orientation. The programme has seen certification of more than 1478
vendors by the close of April, 2015.

 MOT’s Social Awareness campaign titled ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ promoting concepts of
‘Cleanliness’, ‘Hospitality’, Civic Responsibilities’, and ‘Good Behaviour Towards
Tourists’ was released on Doordarshan and private television channels across the
country.

 The Ministry of Tourism has launched two New Plan Schemes:

 Swadesh Darshan for integrated development of theme based tourist circuits

which aims at integrated development of circuits having tourist potential in a
planned and prioritized manner, promoting cultural heritage of our country,
developing world-class infrastructure in circuit destinations, pro-poor tourism
approach, promoting local arts, handicrafts, cuisine and generating
employment. Twelve theme based circuits identified for development under
the scheme are North East Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit,
Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit,
Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit and Ramayana Circuit.
  National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual
Augmentation Drive (PRASAD): The scheme aims at integrated
development of pilgrimage destinations to provide complete religious and
spiritual tourism experience. 12 cities identified for implementation in first
phase i.e. Ajmer, Amritsar, Amravati, Dwarka, Gaya, Kedarnath, Kamakhaya,
Kanchipuram, Mathura, Puri, Varanasi and Velankanni.

 Apart from regular Hospitality and Tourism Management Courses, Hunar Se Rozgar
Tak (HSRT) Scheme launched in the year 2009, aims to impart, through short
duration training courses, employable skills in certain hospitality trades. In December,
2014, the HSRT initiative was opened to private participation under a distinct vertical
titled Hunar Se Rozgar Tak (HSRT): ‘Badhte Kadam’. The objective is to enhance
the programme’s reach and deliver. The trades opened are: Food Production, Food
Beverage service, House-Keeping and Bakery & Patisserie. A total of about 1.94 lakh
persons trained under HSRT in last 5 years, out of which about 64,000 were trained
during Financial Year 2014-15.

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