(a) the number of domestic and international tourists arrival in the districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong from 2014 till date;
(b) the share of central funds used to augment tourism infrastructure and related facilities in these two districts from 2014 till date; and
(c) the steps taken or proposed to be undertaken by the Government to promote Darjeeling and Kalimpong region at international platform?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)
(a): Ministry of Tourism, Government of India does not maintain district wise data on domestic and international tourists arrivals. However, details of Domestic Tourist Visits (DTV) and Foreign Tourist Visits (FTV) to West Bengal from 2014 to 2018 are given below:
<pre>
years Domestic Tourist Visits (DTV) Foreign Tourist Visits (FTV)
2014 49029590 1375740
2015 70193450 1489500
2016 74460250 1528700
2017 79630345 1574915
2018 (Revised) 85657365 1617105
</pre>
(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. The projects under the schemes are identified for development in consultation with State Governments/UT Administration and are sanctioned subject to availability of funds, submission of suitable detailed project reports, adherence to scheme guidelines and utilization of funds released earlier.
Details of projects under Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD in West Bengal are given below:
<pre>
Schemes No. of Projects sanctioned Year sanctioned Amount sanctioned (in Rs. Crore)
Swadesh Darshan 1 2015-16 85.39
PRASHAD 1 2016-17 30.03
</pre>
(c): Ministry of Tourism promotes India as a holistic destination and as part of its on-going activities, annually releases domestic and international print, electronic and online media campaigns under the ‘Incredible India’ brand-line, to promote various tourism destinations and products in different States and UTs of the country including Darjeeling and Kalimpong region. Promotions are also undertaken through the website and Social Media accounts of the Ministry. In addition, the India Tourism Offices in India and overseas undertake various promotional activities with the objective of showcasing the tourism potential of different States and Union Territories of the Country.
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