Question : MEGA TOURIST DESTINATIONS CIRCUITS

(a) the details of Mega Tourist Destinations/Circuits identified and sanctioned in the country, State/UT-wise along with the criteria adopted for their selection;

(b) the funds allocated/sanctioned, released and utilised for such destinations/circuits during each of the last three years and the current year, projects and State/UT-wise;

(c) whether the Government proposes to identify and include more tourist places as mega tourist destinations/circuits in view of requests/proposals received from States/UTs in this regard including from Uttar Pradesh for Vindhyachal and Mirzapur; and

(d) if so, the details thereof indicating the proposals/requests received and sanctioned, State/UT-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. K. CHIRANJEEVI)

(a) to (d): The Ministry of Tourism (MOT) provides financial assistance upto Rs.25 crore and Rs.50 crore respectively for the development of identified mega destination and mega circuit respectively for whole of the country under the scheme of Product/Infrastructure Development of Destinations and Circuits. The mega tourism projects are judicious mix of culture, heritage, spiritual and eco-tourism and aim to give tourist a holistic experience. The Ministry holds prioritization meetings with State Governments/UT Administrations before the beginning of a financial year to identify tourism projects keeping in view its tourism potential subject to availability of funds and inter-se priority in accordance with the scheme guidelines for granting the Central Financial Assistance.

The details of mega tourism destinations/circuits identified and sanctioned in the country, State/UT-wise along with funds allocated/sanctioned for such destinations/circuits during each of the last three years and the current year is at Annexure.