Question : CREATION OF TOURIST CIRCUITS

(a) whether the number of foreign tourist arrivals in India is significantly low as compared to various Asian countries;

(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the number of foreign tourists visiting India and other Asian countries during the last one year and the current year;

(c) whether the Government has any proposal or proposes to create tourist circuits and improve infrastructure and amenities at various pilgrimage centres in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the locations/pilgrimage centres identified for the purpose, State/UT-wise including in Tamil Nadu; and

(e) the funds provided to the States including Tamil Nadu in this regard and the follow up action taken/being taken by the Government thereon?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the Sabha.

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.219 ANSWERED ON 22.07.2014 REGARDING CREATION OF TOURIST CIRCUITS.

(a) and (b): Yes, Madam. The number of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs)/ International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs) in Asian Countries during 2013, as per UNWTOs published data, is given in Annexure-I in which India ranks no.14. This information is not available for 2014.

(c) and (d): Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance to State Governments /Union Territory Administrations for development of destinations/ tourism circuits including pilgrimage centres, prioritized at the beginning of every year in consultation with them, subject to availability of funds, inter-se priority and adherence to scheme guidelines. List of Tourism Circuits/Destinations prioritized for the States/Union Territories (UTs) including Tamil Nadu for the year 2014-15 is given in Annexure-II.

With a view to beautify and improve the amenities and infrastructure at pilgrimage centres of all faiths, a National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) has been announced in the current Budget Session. In addition, creation of 5 tourist circuits around specific themes has also been announced.

(e): The details of number of projects and amount sanctioned to the States/ UTs including Tamil Nadu during 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 are given in Annexure-III.

Timely completion and implementation of the tourism projects are the responsibility of the State Governments/ UT Administrations. State Level Monitoring Committees (SLMC) have been constituted by the various State Governments/ UTs for the monitoring of projects. Ministry of Tourism also monitors implementation of the tourism projects through field inspection by the officers of the Ministry of Tourism, review meetings with officers of the State Governments/UT Administrations and Conferences of Tourism Ministers.