Ministry of Tourism organises two day Chintan Shivir for promoting “Tourism in Mission Mode”

Ministry of Tourism organises two day Chintan Shivir for promoting “Tourism in Mission Mode”

In order to deliberate, ideate and devise strategies for promoting “Tourism in Mission Mode”, the Ministry of Tourism organized a two-day Chintan Shivir on March 28 and March 29 at New Delhi where all the States, Industry Associations and Industry leaders took part.

The agenda for discussions on the first day was set by Minister of Tourism, Culture and DONER, Shri G. Kishan Reddy. He outlined the vision of the Government to leverage tourism as a vehicle for socio-economic development, job creation and achieving sustainable development goals for the country. He stated that this is the most opportune moment to unveil a shared vision for future of India’s tourism, guiding its course for next 25 years to make India as the most sought-after travel destination in the world when India celebrates 100 years of Independence in 2047. He pointed out the three key pillars of developing tourism in mission mode – active participation of the States, Convergence of Government Programs and Public Private Partnerships. He stated that one major step would be to develop National Strategies and Models for providing guidance to the States in developing their tourism potential. The Ministry has recently formulated National strategies for development of various tourism sectors such as Rural Tourism, Adventure Tourism, MICE Tourism, Ecotourism, Medical Tourism, Sustainable Tourism.

Shri Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India stated that the 02 day Chintan Shivir will provide a platform to all stakeholders to conduct fruitful interactions and share good practices followed across the country and a stage to share unique  ideas involving technological solutions in travel sector, sustainability in tourism and responsible travel with the aim to take the benefits of tourism to the grass root level.

The first day`s agenda of discussions was divided into 6 Sessions deliberating on Incredible India@100 – Shared vision of Central Government, States and Industry, Policy Benchmarking and Ease of Doing Business, Investible Projects and Public Private Partnerships, “Global Best Practices and Capacity Building for Tourism Investments” by UNWTO, Developing MICE Tourism and Wedding Tourism and Innovation and Digitalization and Startups in Tourism Sector. Some of the key speakers were representatives from the industry stakeholders viz. FAITH, India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB) as well as from international organizations like World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the State Governments. UNWTO discussed the development of a Tourism Investment Strategy (TIS) through the UNWTO framework on Organizational, Attractiveness, and Promotion Strategy which will provide a structured approach to developing a comprehensive investment strategy that takes into account factors such as the local business environment, the potential for growth in the tourism industry, and the availability of financing options.

State of Rajasthan made a comprehensive presentation on granting of industry status to the tourism and hospitality sector along with benefits accrued to the industry from the same.

State Government of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh showcased the investible projects in order to attract investment in tourism and hospitality sector. Union Territory of Lakshadweep Islands also shared successful case studies of public private partnership. In cognizance of the importance of the MICE sector as well as the Wedding Destination sector, a separate Session was kept on the two niche segments for deliberating on various policies, initiatives and strategies for development of MICE tourism and Wedding tourism in the Country. MICE Tourism brings higher revenue and year-round business for the destination overcoming seasonality. At the same time, MICE needs its own ecosystem before a destination can succeed as MICE destination. Wedding destinations are also fast emerging segment in India.

State of Telangana showcased how MICE tourism in the state of Telangana was being developed and promoted through the dedicated Hyderabad Convention Visitors Bureau.

During the event, the Ministry of Tourism also felicitated the States to recognize the best practices followed by them in six major categories under Swadesh Darshan Scheme.

The Government has recently announced to promote development of Tourism Sector in Mission Mode with active participation of the States and convergence of Government schemes and Public Private Partnership.

As an initiative of India`s G 20 Presidency, the Ministry of Tourism is organizing the 1st Global Tourism Investors’ Summit on May 17-19, 2023. Chintan Shivir will also provide opportunity to deliberate on the strategies and preparations for successful organization of 1st Global Tourism Investors’ Summit.

Union Tourism Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy virtually inaugurates PRASHAD projects at Govardhan, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh

  • Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Yogi Adityanath and Minister of State for Tourism and Defence Shri Ajay Bhatt also graced the event
  • So far under the PRASHAD Scheme, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand together have close to 25% of the total allocation of approximately Rs. 1200 crores towards pilgrimage, spiritual and heritage rejuvenation: Shri G. Kishan Reddy
  • Shri Reddy highlighted, “When we remove the soul from our body, there is nothing remaining, similarly the spiritual heritage and culture of our country needs to be protected for the nation to thrive and Hon’ble Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi has been leading from the front on this”.

Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Shri G. Kishan Reddy along with Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Yogi Adityanath and Minister of State for Tourism and Defence Shri Ajay Bhatt inaugurated various components developed at the Govardhan Bus Stand under the project “Development of Govardhan, Mathura” under PRASHAD Scheme of the Ministry of Tourism today virtually.

The Union Minister Sri G. Kishan Reddy said that under the leadership of Prime minister India has achieved the historic feat of administering 150 crore vaccinations. The Minister also reminded the stakeholders that Covid has not yet ended, and requested all to follow all necessary protocols and precautions to stay safe and healthy. “When we remove the soul from our body, there is nothing remaining, similarly the spiritual heritage and culture of our country needs to be protected for the nation to thrive and Hon’ble Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi has been leading from the front on this.” The   Prime Minister is focused on enhancing pilgrim accessibility and their experience through connectivity, infrastructure and better facilities, the Minister added. He said that for realizing the Prime Minister’s vision,  the Ministry is working tirelessly towards improving the overall facilities and tourism infrastructure. The PRASHAD scheme is being implemented to improve the Tourism infrastructure like facilitation centers for tourists such as Information and Interpretation Centers, ATM and Money exchange facilities, Eco-friendly buses, lighting, parking, toilets, cloak rooms, first aid centers, rain shelters and internet connectivity at the Tourist locations.

Noting the projects implemented  in the state, the Minister Sri Kishan Reddy said “So far under the PRASHAD Scheme, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand together have close to 25% of the total allocation of approximately Rs. 1200 crores towards pilgrimage, spiritual and heritage rejuvenation”. “Moreover, Rs. 500 crores has been allocated for the state of Uttar Pradesh alone through the SWADESH DARSHAN scheme towards strengthening Tourism infrastructure within the state of Uttar Pradesh through various spiritual circuits such as the Ramayana and Buddha circuits”, the Minister added.

The Union Minister also highlighted the various programmes being conducted as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, as India celebrates its 75th year of independence. He requested for maximum people participation for the programmes that were being conceived keeping in mind our rich cultural heritage such as the Rangoli making competition and also programmes that were designed to invoke patriotic fervor among the masses such as the competition that requires composing patriotic songs. The Minister also congratulated the individuals and officials behind the successful completion of the project.

The occasion was graced by the august presence of Shri Dr. Neelkanth Tiwari, Minister of State (IC) for Tourism, Culture, Religious Affairs, Protocol(MOS) , Smt. Hema Malini, Member of Parliament , Lok Sabha, Mathura Region , Shri Arvind Singh (I.A.S), Secretary (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and Shri Mukesh Meshram (I.A.S) Principal Secretary(Tourism) , Uttar Pradesh.

The project for “Development of Govardhan Mathura” under the PRASHAD scheme was approved by the Ministry of Tourism with the cost of INR 39.73 Cr. in January 2019. The components viz. ‘Multi Level Car Stand Block, Cloak Room & Toilets, Boundary wall and Surface development at Govardhan Bus Stand’ has been successfully completed with the cost of INR 15.82 Cr.

Other components sanctioned under the project include development of Mansi Ganga, Chandra Sarovar, Govardhan Parikrama and interventions at Kusum Sarovar. The illumination of the Kusum Sarovar is already completed and dedicated to the nation in February 2021. The work for all other components is in advanced stages of completion.

The components developed under the project have resulted in facilitation of pilgrims and enhancement of the pilgrimage experience. The interventions implemented have resulted in regulation of pedestrian traffic on the Govardhan Parikrama Path.

The ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive’ (PRASHAD) is a Central Sector Scheme with complete financial assistance by the Government of India. The scheme has been launched under the leadership of  Prime Minister by the Ministry of Tourism in the year 2014-15 with the vision of focused infrastructure development to harness pilgrimage and heritage tourism destinations for its direct and multiplier effect upon employment generation and economic development. The scheme aims at infrastructure development to envisage world class infrastructural development of the sites with special emphasis on Tourist Facilities including Tourist Facilitation Centres, way-side amenities Parking, Public convenience, Illumination and Sound and Light Shows.

In addition to the above-mentioned project at Govardhan, 5 more projects. have been sanctioned in the state of Uttar Pradesh under PRASHAD scheme of Ministry of Tourism. The total outlay of the projects sanctioned under the PRASHAD scheme for Uttar Pradesh is INR 139.75 Cr. The sanctioned projects include Development of Mathura Vrindavan as Mega Tourist Destination, Construction of Tourist Facilitation Center at Mathura, Development of Varanasi and Development of Cruise Tourism in River Ganga. Majority of components implemented under these projects have already been completed and dedicated to nation.

The Union Minister praised the state government for the optimum use of the funds released by the Government of India for creating the facilities of international standards. He further assured the state government for every cooperation and support required from the Ministry of Tourism in the sector.

Union Tourism Minister Sh G. Kishan Reddy hands over cheques/sanction letters to first lot of tourism stakeholders under LGSCATSS

Key Highlights

As commercial flight operations ramp up to pre-COVID levels, I urge the citizens of the country to strictly follow Covid protocol to stay safe and healthy: Shri G Kishan Reddy

Union Minister for Tourism, Culture & DoNER, Shri G.Kishan Reddy handed over cheques/ sanction letters to the first lot of stakeholders who have been granted the loan/ in-principle approval under the LGSCATSS at an event today in New Delhi. Secretary Tourism Shri Arvind Singh, DG Tourism Shri G Kamala Vardhana Rao, ADG Tourism Smt. Rupinder Brar and senior officers from the Ministry of Tourism and the participating banks were also present in the event.

Later, the Union Minister addressed the gathering and acknowledged the efforts of stakeholders of the travel trade sector, senior officers from the Ministry, and the Banks and granted the loan / in-principle approval for a loan under the Loan Guarantee Scheme for COVID Affected Tourism Sector Services (LGSCATSS). The Minister acknowledged that the Tourism sector was one of the most affected service sectors and those dependent on the tourism sector faced a significant depletion in incomes.

Shri G Kishan Reddy said, “The Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi desired that sectors such as Tourism be extended financial support so that Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Tourist Transport Operators, Regional level Tourist, and the local guides can sustain themselves in the time of change”

LGSCATSS provides support to approved Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Tourist Transport Operators, Regional level Tourist and local guides by the State governments and Union Territories in the form of credit under the Credit Guarantee Scheme at concessional rates. The purpose of extending financial support/relief to the tourism stakeholders and service providers was to mitigate their hardships due to the Covid-19 pandemic and to help them revive their business and livelihood.

The Union Minister said  “currently there is a discussion on the impact of the third wave, but I believe that strict adherence to COVID protocol will help overcome the situation. I urge the citizens of the country to strictly follow the Covid protocol to stay safe and healthy”. He said that under the leadership of Sri Narendra Modi, the scientists have developed the vaccine indigenously, and the Government has already administered around 125 crore doses. He also recognised the effort of Indian scientists and entrepreneurs and said that it was a proud moment for India as even developed countries are queuing up for India-made vaccines.
The Minister also encouraged families to visit at least two tourism destinations each year and this will help future generations to know about our rich heritage. Various circuits are being developed and connected to make it accessible for tourists. The Minister also stated that the Ministry of Railways is running specialised trains by leveraging skilled professionals to connect the Buddhist destinations and Ramayan circuit.

Since 2014, approximately Rs. 5,500 crores has been sanctioned towards development of infrastructure in tourism destinations chosen by states through the SWADESH darshan scheme with the aim of developing these destinations to international standards. More than Rs. 1,200 crores has also been sanctioned towards pilgrimage rejuvenation and spiritual heritage augmentation through the PRASHAD scheme. As part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, 75 destinations will be declared by the government and the destinations will be developed in coordination with the other ministries for facilitating the tourists. The destinations will be made accessible to the International tourists with infrastructure which includes International airports.

The Minister also spoke about various initiatives and interventions made during COVID-19 to develop tourism. Around 5 lakh visas will be issued to foreign tourists without any charges and 170 countries are now a part of the e-visa approval facility. The Government of India has also appointed exclusive officers to promote the country’s tourism in 20 missions abroad in countries such as Canada, United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Singapore, Korea, Japan