(a) the efforts made by the Government to improve tourism infrastructure in the country to promote tourism;
(b) the details of funds allocated/released to State Governments during each of the last three years and the current financial year, State-wise;
(c) whether the Union Government have issued any guidelines to State Governments to improve facilities for domestic/foreign tourists; and
(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith response of the State Governments thereto?
MINISTER OF TOURISM AND CULTURE (SHRI JAGMOHAN)
(a) and (b): The Department of Tourism has introduced schemes of Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits, Product/Infrastructure and Destination Development and Assistance for Large Revenue Generating Projects during the 10th Plan to improve tourist infrastructure in the country. State-wise details of projects sanctioned and amounts released during the last three years are given in the annexure. Nine tourist infrastructure projects with Central financial component of Rs.622.39 lakhs have been sanctioned in various States so far during the current financial year.
(c) and (d): State Governments/UT Administrations are impressed upon at various fora including State Tourism Ministers’ Conference to improve tourist infrastructure in their respective States/Territories and create facilities to attract both domestic and foreign tourists.