Question : DECLINE IN FOREIGN TOURISTS

(a) whether tourism industry has been adversely affected during the last year;

(b) if so, the number of tourists visited India during the last year as compared to previous year;

(c) whether there is sharp decline in foreign tourists after the attack on Parliament on December, 13, 2001 and Gujarat riots;

(d) if so, the extent to which these factors have affected tourism industry;

(e) whether the Government propose to give some more concessions to the depressed tour operators to fill gap of tourists of the previous year during 2002-2003; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF TOURISM AND CULTURE ( SHRI JAGMOHAN)


(a): Yes, Sir.

(b): Foreign tourist arrivals in India during 2001 was estimated to be 2537282 as compared to 2649378 during the year 2000.

(c) and (d): There was a decline of tourist arrivals during January, February and March 2002 as compared to the corresponding months of the previous year primarily due to the general economic slow down world over, the terrorist attack on World Trade Centre in USA and the events thereafter.

(e) and (f): The Department of Tourism does not have any scheme to provide cash incentives to tour operators and travel agents. Therefore, they have been advised to apply under the scheme of Ministry of Commerce for Marketing Development Assistance.