(a) whether the Government proposes to provide better air services at tourist sites in order to increase domestic and foreign tourists in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard;
(c) the funds allocated by the Government in this regard during the last three years; and
(d) the number of domestic and foreign tourists who visited various tourist spots in the country during the last three years, year-wise and State-wise?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) to (c): Domestic air transport services have been decontrolled & deregulated. Government has laid down route dispersal guidelines with a view to achieve better connectivity to remote areas and different regions of the country. It is, however, up to the airlines to provide air services to specific places depending upon the traffic demand and commercial viability. As such the airlines are free to operate anywhere in the country subject to compliance of route dispersal guidelines issued by the Government.
The Government has taken several measures to help the industry so that benefits percolate down to common man. These steps are persuading State Governments to reduce VAT on ATF, allowing direct import of Aviation Turbine Fuel by Indian Carriers as actual users, permitting foreign airlines to participate upto 49 percent in the equity of scheduled air transport undertaking, allowing External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) for working capital requirement of airline industry for a period of one year subject to a total ceiling of US $1 billion and tax concession for parts of aircraft and testing equipment for third party maintenance, repair and overhaul of civil aircraft.
(d): The Ministry of Tourism compiles data only on number of domestic and foreign tourist who visited various States and UTs. The details of the same for the period 2012-14 are at Annexure. This information for 2015 is not available.
******