Category Archives: MOT

Bharat Parv is set to promote the rich cultural diversity of the country from January 26-31 2017 at the Red Fort. The highlights of the celebration include display of the Republic Day Parade Tableaux, performances by the Armed Forces Bands (static and moving), a multi-cuisine food court, crafts mela, cultural performances from different regions of the country and a photo exhibition by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. The event will be inaugurated on January 26, 2017, and will be open to the public from 5-9 pm on the first day and from 12-9 pm from January 27-31, 2017. There will be 11 theme State Pavilions where each State would showcase their achievements and initiatives, tourism products and destinations, etc. The Ministry of Information Broadcasting is also setting up a Photo Exhibition on the theme “Mera Desh Badal Raha Hai, Aage Badh Raha Hai”. A big attraction of the event is the Republic Day Parade Tableaux which will be stationed at the venue for the duration of the event. The Food Court will have 50 stalls set up by the States / UTs, National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) showcasing food from different regions as well as by the Institutes of Hotel Management and ITDC. The Crafts Mela with 50 stalls will showcase the diverse handicrafts of the country, arranged by the State Governments and Ministry of Textiles through the Office of the Development Commissioner of Handicrafts.

FTAs during the period January-December, 2016 were 88.90 lakh with a growth of 10.7 per cent as compared to the FTAs of 80.27 lakh in January-December 2015. FEEs from tourism in rupee terms during January-December 2016 was Rs. 1,55,650 crore with a growth of 15.1 per cent. December 2016 registered a 13.6 per cent growth in Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) over the same period in 2015 with 10.37 lakh arrivals. FEEs was Rs.16,805 crore as compared to Rs. 14,152 crore in December, 2015 with 18.7 per cent growth rate. USA (18.33%) occupied highest percentage share in FTAs followed by Bangladesh (13.02%), UK (11.71%), Australia (5.43%), Russian Fed (4.18%),Canada (4.13%), Malaysia (3.38%), Germany (2.80%),  China (2.53%), Sri Lanka (2.25%), Singapore (2.12%), France (2.01%), Japan (1.79%), Afghanistan (1.38%) and Nepal (1.34%).

TMI Academy of Travel, Tourism & Aviation Studies, has recently been appointed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, to train students from the Backward Classes in Tourism. More then 2000 students will be trained all over India in 2017  by TMI Academy. This is under the direct supervision of National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation under the Ministry. The trainees will be certified by National Skill Development Corporation. Trained students will be placed by TMI Academy in the industry.

A total of 162,250 foreign tourists arrived in December 2016 on e-Tourist Visa (eTV) as compared to 103,617 during December 2015 registering a growth of 56.6 per cent. The UK (22.4%) continues to occupy top slot followed by USA (16.4%) and Russia (7.7%) amongst countries availing eTV facility during December 2016. The number of e-Tourist Visa availed by foreign tourists visiting India during the month of December, 2016 has registered a substantial growth rate over the corresponding month of 2015. During January-December 2016, a total of 10,79,696 tourist arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 4,45,300 during January-December 2015, registering a growth of 142.5 per cent. This high growth may be attributed to introduction of e-Tourist Visa for 161 countries as against the earlier coverage of 113 countries. The percentage shares of top 10 ports in tourist arrivals on e-Tourist Visa during December, 2016 were as follows: New Delhi Airport (36.6%), Mumbai Airport (23.1%), Dabolim (Goa) Airport (13.6%), Chennai Airport (6.0%), Bengaluru Airport (5.1%),Kochi Airport (4.7%), Kolkata Airport (2.5%), Hyderabad Airport (2.4%), Trivandrum Airport (1.9%) and Ahmadabad Airport (1.7%).

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, observed that demonetisation did not have any impact on the Foreign Tourist Arrival and Foreign Exchange Earnings. In November, 2016, 8.91 lakh FTAs were recorded as compared to 8.16 lakh in November, 2015, registering a growth of 9.3 per cent. An official statement from MOT claimed, “after demonetisation, the Government has taken a number of steps to ensure that no hardship is faced by the tourists and the industry is not affected. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) smoothly transitioned to cashless mode of payment by simplifying process of e-tickets. Government efforts have paid dividend as there has been a notable growth in the comparative figures of Foreign Tourists Arrival (FTA) Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) and online sale of e-tickets after demonetisation.” It may also be noted that the number of e-tickets sold during November 09, 2016, to December 08, 2016, increase to 28,176 from 2807 during October 09, 2016, to November 08, 2016, with corresponding amount being Rs 181.49 lakh and Rs 3.10 lakh respectively. It can therefore be seen that sale of e–tickets and earnings from have increased significantly by 10 and 58 times respectively as people are buying tickets for ASI monuments online through cashless payments.

Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) during November, 2016 were 8.91 lakh as compared to FTAs of 8.16 lakh during the month of November, 2015 and 7.65 lakh in November, 2014. There has been a growth of 9.3 per cent in November, 2016 over November, 2015. FTAs during the period January-November, 2016 were 78.53 lakh with a growth of 10.4 per cent as compared to the FTAs of 71.14 lakh with a growth of 4.7 per cent in January-November, 2015 over January- November, 2014. The percentage share of FTAs in India during November, 2016 among the top 15 source countries was highest from USA (15.53%) followed by UK (11.21%), Bangladesh (10.72%), Canada (4.66%), Russian Fed (4.53%), Australia (4.04%), Malaysia (3.65%), Germany (3.53%), China (3.14%), France (2.88%), Sri Lanka (2.49%), Japan (2.49%), Singapore (2.16%), Nepal (1.46%) and Thailand (1.37%). The percentage share of FTAs in India during November 2016 among the top 15 ports was highest at Delhi Airport (32.71%) followed by Mumbai Airport (18.51%), Chennai Airport (6.83%), Bengaluru Airport (5.89%), Haridaspur Land check post (5.87%), Goa Airport (5.63%), Kolkata Airport (3.90%), Cochin Airport (3.29%), Hyderabad Airport (3.14%), Ahmadabad Airport (2.76%), Trivandrum Airport (1.54%), Trichy Airport (1.53%), Gede Rail (1.16%), Amritsar Airport (1.15%), and Ghojadanga land check post (0.82%). Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) from tourism in India during November, 2016 were Rs. 14,474 crore as compared to Rs. 12,649 crore in November, 2015 and Rs. 11,431 crore in November, 2014. The growth rate in FEEs in rupee terms during November, 2016 over November, 2015 was 14.4% as compared to the growth of 10.7% in November, 2015 over November, 2014.

A North East desk in Mumbai will be set up to promote tourist and trade investment from Maharashtra and other western parts of country in the northeast region. This decision was taken at a meeting Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space held in Mumbai with members of Indian Merchants’ Chamber (IMC) and the Maharashtra State Tourism Minister. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the North East has lot much to offer, but the attributes remain unexplored because people outside are either not aware of it or do not find it convenient to venture. He further highlighted that a highly scenic destination like Shillong attracts more number of European and foreign tourists compared to domestic or Indian tourists because of lack of awareness in other parts of the country. Dr Jitendra Singh also proposed the idea of Medical Tourism and flagged the idea of combining tourism with the Start up India programme which could simultaneously help in engaging youth and generating employability.

As many as 1,36,876 foreign tourists arrived in November 2016 on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 83,501 during the month of November 2015 registering a growth of 63.9 per cent. The UK continues to be the biggest market availing the services with a 22.3 per cent share, followed by USA (12.9 per cent), Russian Fed (8.7%), France (6.3%), China (6.1%), Germany (4.6%), Australia (4.1%), Canada (3.6%), Netherlands (1.8%) and Ukraine (1.8%). New Delhi Airport served the most number of eTV applicants with a 44.99 per cent share followed by Mumbai Airport (18.53%), Dabolim (Goa) Airport (14.19%), Chennai Airport (5.26%), Bengaluru Airport (5.23%), Kochi Airport (2.99%), Kolkata Airport (2.32%), Hyderabad Airport (1.94%), Trivandrum Airport (1.32%) and Amritsar Airport (1.11%). During January- November 2016, a total of 9,17,446 tourists arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 3,41,683 during January-November 2015, registering a growth of 168.5 per cent.

Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism and Culture laid the foundation stone of six development projects under Spiritual Circuit of Swadesh Darshan Scheme in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh. These projects include Trilokteerth Dham, Badagaon; Maa Manasa Devi Mandir, Badagaon; Pura Mahadev Mandir, Pura; Parashuram Bhagwan Mandir, Pura; Laakshagrah, Barnawa; and Shri Chandraprabhu Digambar Jain Atishay Mandir, Barnawa. Distinguished guests like Dr Satyapal Singh, Member of Parliament, Baghpat among others, were present on the occasion.

Disciplinary proceedings have reportedly been initiated against six India Tourism offices abroad, including that in London, Frankfurt and New York, the Rajya Sabha was informed. Complaints of financial irregularities have been cited as reasons for the proceedings for which inquiry is on-going. In a written reply, Mahesh Sharma, Minister for Tourism, Government of India said, “Based on allegations/complaints/audit observations, etc., received in the Ministry of Tourism against India Tourism Offices in Beijing, Frankfurt, Johannesburg, London, New York and Toronto, disciplinary proceedings have been initiated in cases where prima facie allegations were found to be substantiated.” The India Tourism office in London also faces complaint of administrative lapses between 2008 and 2011. The proceedings are continuing at offices in Beijing, Frankfurt, Johannesburg and London, while report from Inquiry Authority has been received from offices in New York and Toronto, said Sharma.