(a) whether there is any proposal to establish the country as the next Golf Tourism hub;
(b) if so, the strategies put in place for promoting golf tourism;
(c) the details of proposed investment in promoting golf tourism; and
(d) the prospective benefit in terms of foreign exchange from such tourism?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)
(a) to (c): Realizing the potential to develop Golf tourism as the Niche Tourism product for attracting both International & Domestic tourists, Ministry of Tourism has taken formulated strategy & taken various initiatives. The Ministry of Tourism has framed guidelines for extending financial support for promotion of golf tourism.
The Ministry of Tourism has constituted the India Golf Tourism Committee (IGTC), which is the nodal body for golf tourism in the country. The Ministry invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from the Golf Clubs, Golf Event Managers, State Governments/UT Administrations, Approved Tour Operators/Approved Travel Agents and Corporate Houses seeking financial support from the Ministry of Tourism for Golf Events, Golf Shows, Golf Promotional Workshops/ Events/Annual Meetings/Seminars eligible for financial support, with a view to promote Golf Tourism to and/ or within India under Incredible India brand.
Ministry of Tourism also promotes Golf tourism as one of the tourism products within India and overseas through various media campaigns under Incredible India Brand.
(d): Foreign Exchange Earnings through specific type of tourism is not estimated by the Ministry. However, the provisional Foreign Exchange Earnings through tourism in terms of Crore Rupees for the 2018 and 2019 is 194881 & 210981 respectively.
*******