(a) whether the Government has been able to achieve the 1% target set with respect to international arrivals in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure better enforcement of the ‘Swadesh Darshan‘ and ‘PRASAD’ schemes; and
(c) the steps being taken to promote major as well as minor pilgrimages within the country?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SHRI K.J. ALPHONS)
(a): The International Tourist Arrivals in India during 2016 were 14.6 million which is 1.18% of the total International Tourist Arrivals in world during the same period.
(b): Review/Monitoring of sanctioned projects under ‘Swadesh Darshan’ and ‘PRASHAD’ schemes is a continuous process. States/UTs are required to submit reports of the State Level Monitoring Committees to the Ministry of Tourism periodically. The Ministry of Tourism also monitors the implementation of projects through Regional offices, field inspections by the officers of the Ministry and periodical review meetings with the State/UT officers.
The Ministry has also developed an on line monitoring portal to monitor the real time physical and financial progress of the projects.
(c): The Ministry of Tourism promotes India as a holistic destination, including the various tourism destinations and products of every State/Union Territory of the country, in the domestic and international markets. The ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive’ (PRASHAD) has been launched by the Ministry of Tourism with the objective of holistic development of identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations. The total number of sites identified for development under PRASHAD Scheme is 25.
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