(a) whether the Government are contemplating to explore more employment opportunities by encouraging tourism in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the funds proposed to be provided in the Tenth Five Year Plan and the comparative figures of the same in the Ninth Five Year Plan; and
(d) the number of people provided employment during the Ninth Five Year Plan in the tourism sector and likely to be provided in the Tenth Five Year Plan?
MINISTER OF TOURISM & CULTURE (SHRI JAGMOHAN)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the table of the Sabha.
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED
QUESTION NO. +491 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.04.2002 REGARDING
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN TOURISM SECTOR
(a) & (b): Yes , Sir. The Tenth FiveYear Plan aims to enhance the employment
opportunities in the tourism sector through developing linkages with other sectors. The proposed strategy in the10th Five Year Plan is to:
- Position tourism as a major engine of economic growth.
- Attempt to harness the direct and multiplier effects of tourism for employment generation, economic development and providing impetus to rural tourism
- Provide a major thrust to domestic tourism which will act as a spring board for growth and expansion of international tourism
- Position India as a global brand to take advantage of the burgeoning global travel and trade and the vast untapped potential of India as a destination
- Acknowledge the critical role of private sector with government working as an active facilitator and catalyst.
- Create and develop integrated tourism circuits based on India`s unique civilization, heritage and culture in partnership with the States, private sector and other agencies
- Ensure that the tourist to India gets physically invigorated, mentally rejuvenated, culturally enriched, spiritually elevated, and `feels India within him`.
(c) : The Planning Commission has allocated a plan allocation of Rs.2900 crores for Tenth Five Year Plan to the Department of Tourism as compared to Rs.595 crores actually allocated during Ninth Five Year Plan. Sector/Scheme-wise break-up for Tenth Five Year Plan is yet to be finalised.
(d): Tourism sector provides both direct and indirect employment opportunities. The details of the employment opportunities generated during first four years of Ninth Five year plan are as follows: -
Employment (in Million)
Year Direct Indirect Total
1997-98 12.75 17.34 30.09 1998-99 14.39 19.57 33.96 1999-2000 15.90 21.62 37.52 2000-01 16.45 22.37 38.82 2001-02 Yet to be finalised