(a) whether for the foreign tourists, India is considered a high cost of destination;
(b) whether the Home Minister has called for the removal of all bottlenecks in the way of travel and tourism so as to give boost to the tourism industry; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF TOURISM AND CULTURE (SHRI ANANTHKUMAR)
(a): Yes, Sir. There is a perception that India is a comparatively costly destination.
(b): Yes, Sir.
(c): As a part of its on-going activities of promoting tourism to the country, and
removing the bottlenecks, Ministry of Tourism is coordinating with other Departments
who provide tourism services. In this context, Minister of Tourism & Culture has held
many meetings with other Ministers, including Minister of Home Affairs, to discuss ways
and means for removal of bottlenecks and tourism development and growth. New
initiatives on facilitation like visa on arrival, on information dissemination and inter-
ministerial coordinated have been mooted.