(a) whether the Government have prepared any draft policy for promoting India as a
most liked tourist centre at International level;
(b) if so, the features of the said draft;
(c) whether the Government propose to launch a ‘Tourist Card’ scheme for foreign
tourists; and
(d) if so, the time by which a final decision is likely to be taken in this regard?
MINISTER OF TOURISM AND CULTURE ( SHRI JAGMOHAN)
(a): Department of Tourism, Government of India has announced a National Tourism
Policy-2002 which, apart from others, attempts to position India as a global brand to take
advantage of the burgeoning global travel and trade and the vast untapped potential of
India as a destination.
(b): The National Tourism Policy broadly aims at the following:- Position tourism as a major engine of economic growth; Harness the direct and multiplier effects of tourism for employment generation,
economic development and providing impetus to rural tourism; Focus on domestic tourism as a major driver of tourism growth; Acknowledges the critical role of private sector with government working as a
pro-active facilitator and catalyst; Create and develop integrated tourism circuits based on India’s unique
civilization, heritage, and culture in partnership with states, private sector and
other agencies; Ensure that the tourist to India gets physically invigorated, mentally rejuvenated,
culturally enriched, spiritually elevated and “feel India from withinâ€.
(c): There is no proposal to launch a “Tourist Card†scheme for foreign tourists.
(d): Does not arise.