Question : Developing the Country As a World Tourism Hub

(a) the overall ranking of India in world tourism list;
(b) whether the Government has taken initiative recently or has any proposal to develop the country into a world tourism hub by development of tourism sector in different parts of the country and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has selected projects across the country under the said initiative/proposal and if so, the details thereof, State/location-wise;
(d) the total funds sanctioned and released to the States and utilized by the Government under these projects during the last three years and the current year with the present status of these projects along with the amount likely to be generated by these tourist hubs/projects; and
(e) whether the Government has set up any mechanism to review the progress of these projects and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a): As per the report of Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, brought out by the World Economic Forum in 2019, India’s overall rank was 34 among 140 economies.

(b): Development of tourism, is primarily the responsibility of the concerned State Government/Union Territory Administration. However, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India under its schemes of Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD and Assistance to Central Agencies, provides central financial assistance to State Governments/Union Territories/Central Agencies for development of tourism related infrastructure and facilities to provide an enriching tourism experience to visitors. The projects under the schemes are identified for development in consultation with State Governments/UT Administrations and are sanctioned subject to availability of funds, submission of suitable detailed project reports, adherence to scheme guidelines and utilization of funds released earlier.

(c) & (d): Total amount sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes since inception were Rs. 6035.70 crore and Rs. 889.54 crore respectively and the amount released were Rs. 3744.50 crore and Rs. 505.15 crore respectively. Details of projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD scheme are given at Annexure-I and Annexure-II respectively. The utilization certificates of Rs. 2792.32 crore and Rs. 335.12 crore have been received under various projects of Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD respectively. The Projects are under various Stages of implementation. The projects are expected to enhance the tourist experience and increase tourist footfalls. However, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India does not centrally maintain data on revenue generated from tourism.

(e): Yes, Sir. National Steering Committee under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister of Tourism is responsible for overall guidance, review and monitoring of the schemes. Further, Central Sanctioning & Monitoring Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Ministry of Tourism, Government of India) is responsible for regular monitoring of the progress of implementation of the projects.

*******