Question : Inflow of Tourists

(a) whether the foreign tourists arrival is on decline and is significantly low as compared to other Asian countries during each of the last three years and the current year and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the total number of domestic and foreign tourists who visited various religious sites in the country and the revenue earned therefrom during the said period, State/UT-wise;
(b) whether the Government proposes to formulate new policy/ programme to attract foreign tourists in the country;
(c) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which such policy/programme is likely to be implemented in the country;
(d) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to promote tourism and to increase the foreign tourist influx in the country; and
(e) whether the Government has conducted a study/survey/poll on the impediments for Indian tourism industry which are potentially responsible for creating negative publicity of India among international tourists and if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government in this regard during the last four years and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SHRI K.J. ALPHONS)

(a): No, Madam. The number of foreign tourist arrival (FTAs) in India during 2015, 2016, 2017 were 8.03 million, 8.80 million, 10.04 million respectively. The share of India’s international tourist arrivals (ITAs) in Asia and Pacific region during 2015, 2016 and 2017 were 4.68%, 4.76% and 4.81% respectively. Ministry of Tourism does not compile the data of revenue earned from tourism. However, the estimated foreign exchange earnings through tourism in India during the years 2015, 2016 and 2017 were US$ 21.013 billion, US$ 22.923 billion and US$ 27.310 billion respectively. The corresponding figures for the year 2018 have not been finalized.

The number of domestic tourist visits (DTVs) and foreign tourist visits (FTVs) to different States/UTs, including the tourists visiting the religious sites, during 2015, 2016 and 2017 are given in Annexure. This information is not available for the year 2018.

(b) to (d): In order to boost tourism in the country and attract more foreign tourists, Government has taken several policy decisions/initiatives which inter-alia include:

• Extension of e- visa facility to citizens of 166 countries.
• Launch of the Incredible India 2.0 campaign with market specific promotional plans and content creation.
• Launch of 24x7 Toll Free multi-lingual tourist helpline in 12 international languages including Hindi and English.
• Organisation of India Tourism Mart with an objective to create an annual Global Tourism Mart for India in line with major international travel marts being held in countries across the world. It provides a platform for all stakeholders in tourism and hospitality industries to interact and transact business opportunities.
• Organisation of biennial International Buddhist Conclave.
• Organisation of Annual International Tourism Mart for promotion of tourism in North Eastern States.
• Promotional activities in tourist generating markets overseas through the India tourism offices abroad with active participation in travel fairs and exhibitions; organising Road Shows, “Know India” seminars & workshops.
• Central finance assistance to States/UTs under the schemes of Swadesh Darshan, National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) and Assistance to Central Agencies for the development of tourism related infrastructure in the country.

(e): No such study has been conducted in Ministry of Tourism. However, overseas offices of the Ministry carries out regular interactions/engagements with overseas tour operators, travel agents, opinion makers, media and consumers, to keep them updated about the ground situation in the country with an objective of reassuring them regarding travel to India.

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