Question : ASSISTANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM

(a) the details of the schemes/programmes being implemented by the Government to assist the States for the development of tourism in the country;

(b) whether a number of tourist spots are being developed with foreign financial assistance;

(c) if so, the details thereof indicating such assistance received and utilised during each of the last three years and the current year, project and State/UT-wise;

(d) whether the Government proposes to declare/develop certain islands as important tourist spots and assist the State Governments in this regard; and

(e) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a): The details of the schemes/programmes being implemented by the Government to assist the States for the development of tourism in the country are given in Annexure-I.

(b) and (c): The details of foreign financial assistance received during the last three years for development of various tourist spots are given in the Annexure-II.

(d) and (e): The development and promotion of various tourism destinations & products including promotion of tourism in Islands is primarily the responsibility of the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. The Ministry of Tourism, however, provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to various State Governments & Union Territory Administrations for tourism projects prioritized in consultation with them for each financial year, subject to availability of funds, inter-se-priority and adherence to scheme guidelines.

A list of projects prioritized for grant of CFA to develop islands in the country is given in Annexure-III.