(a) whether the Government is aware that tourists are moving towards South East Asian Countries due to lack of information in regard to tourism in India and also lack of proper infrastructure and ineffective strategies of the Government;
(b) the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) the steps taken by the Government to attract the tourists visiting South East Asia; and
(d) the extent to which the Government has achieved success in this regard?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND CULTURE (SMT. AMBIKA SONI )
(a), (b), (c) and (d): The Ministry of Tourism is not aware of any concerted move by
tourists to by pass India for South East Asia. The Ministry of Tourism in collaboration
with other Ministries, State Governments and Private Sector is constantly augmenting
the infrastructure facilities and disseminated the tourist information through electronic
and print media and this has resulted in substantial growth in foreign tourist arrivals
to India during last four years as per the following details :
Year Foreign Tourist Percentage Arrivals increase
2003 2.72 Million 14.3% 2004 3.46 Million 26.8% 2005 3.92 Million 13.2% 2006 4.43 Million 13 %