(a) whether due to Demonetisation and Cash crunch there has been a fall in foreign tourists during that period;
(b) the impact of demonetization on the travel and tourism sector of the country;
(c) whether demonetization created bad reputation in the tourism sector; and
(d) the action taken by the Government to facilitate the foreign tourists?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) to (c): No significant impact of demonetization has been observed on tourism sector as an impressive growth has been registered in Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during November 2016 to February 2017. The number of FTAs in India during November 2016 to February 2017 and the growth registered over same month of previous year is as below:
<pre>
Month FTAs (P) Growth (%)
November 2016 8,91,521 9.3%
December 2016 10,36,603 13.6%
January 2017 9,83,413 16.5%
February 2017 9,56,337 13.0%
</pre>
P: Provisional
(d): Following steps were initiated by the Ministry of Tourism in coordination with concerned stakeholders:
(i) Ministry of Finance was requested that the limit of converting foreign currency to Indian Rupees be enhanced to enable foreign tourists to take care of their incidental expenses.
(ii) To permit foreign tourists/travelers to return the unused Indian currency to the banks/authorized money changers on submission of original exchange receipts.
(iii) Sufficient number of exchange counters/banks to be made available at the International Airports arrivals during peak hours.
(iv) Advised banks/foreign exchange dealers to deploy adequate number of persons to facilitate tourists to avoid long queues.
(v) All concerned authorities at International Airports such as Airport Authority of India/GMR/GVK etc. in the country were advised to put up proper signages in regard to foreign money changers/banks and availability of prepaid taxi service providers.
(vi) Authorities were advised to ensure that prepaid taxi providers accept payment by digital mode.
(vii) MoT also made arrangements to post duty officers at International Airports to assist and monitor the facilitation efforts being made for the tourists at the airports.
(viii) All India Tourism Offices in the country were instructed to follow up and ensure that ATM, foreign exchange counters and bank counters at international and domestic airports serviced the arriving tourists properly. All Regional Directors of MoT were asked to monitor the situation on day to day basis.
(ix) Archaeological Survey of India (Monuments) and all concerned associations were advised to provide e-payment options and install POS (Swap machines) for the benefit of the tourists.
(x) Ministry of Tourism 24x7 Multi-lingual Tourist Helpline executives were sensitized to handle queries arising out of the above issues.
***********