Question : Issuance of Regional Level Tourist Guide Licenses

(a) the number of tourist guides operating in the country, State/UT-wise;
(b) whether Government is issuing Regional Level Tourist Guide licences under the delegated power of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act;
(c) if so, the number of tourist guide licences issued during each of the last three years and the current year;
(d) whether there is a severe shortage of approved tourist guides in the country;
(e) whether the Government has rolled out online certificate course to create a pool of skilled persons at local level;
(f) whether the Government is conducting refresher course for tourist guides in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(g) whether the Government is extending any facility to tourist guides for their betterment and if so, the details thereof; and
(h) whether any special institution has been set-up for tourist management in the country and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a): At present, there are 3227 Regional Level Tourist Guides available in the Country. The State/Union Territory- wise details are given the statement attached to the reply as Annexure.

(b): Yes, Sir.

(c): During the last three year no new licence for Regional Level Guide (RLG) has been issued as the matter is sub-judiced in the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi (W.P. No. 3342/2017,4155/2017). However, as per the direction of High Court licences of existing Regional Level Guides (RLG) have been renewed/extended till dated.

(d): Yes, Sir.

(e): Yes, Sir.

(f): Yes, Sir. During the current year and upto 7th December, 2021, total number of 1294 Regional Level Guides (RLGs)/Incredible India Tourist Guides (IITG) have completed the Refresher course conducted online through the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITFC)/IITG portal.

(g): Government of India has launched "Loan Guarantee Scheme for Covid Affected Tourism Service Sector (LGSCATSS)". Loan guarantee upto Rs.1.00 lakh is being extended to each Regional Tourist Guide/ Incredible India Tourist Guide approved/recognized by the Ministry of Tourism and Tourist Guides approved/ recognized by the State Govt./ UT Administration.

The purpose of the LGSCATSS of the Ministry of Tourism is to provide guarantee coverage for the loans provided by the Scheduled Commercial Banks to the above mentioned beneficiaries, to discharge their liabilities and restart their business affected due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Validity of the said scheme is till 31.03.2022 or till the guarantee of Rs.250.00 crores are issued under the scheme, whichever is earlier and would be applicable to all eligible loans sanctioned under the scheme on or after 04.10.2021 (issuance of LGSCATSS guidelines by NCGTC) till 31.03.2022. No guarantee fee will be charged from the MLIs by NCGTC for the credit facilities provided under the Scheme.

(h): The Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management (IITTM), an autonomous institute under Ministry of Tourism, conducts Tourism Management courses through its Gwalior, Bhubaneswar, Noida, Nellor& Goa Centers.
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