Category Archives: MOT

Rupinder Brar, Additional DG, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India said “When we look at infrastructure there are two parts of the infrastructure that drives tourism, one is infrastructure in terms of making sure that the tourists facilities are there, but what also drives tourism is connectivity. we are working with the roads ministry to make sure that the last mile connectivity, the highways are in good shape for all of us to travel. I am happy to share that in India today, we have the second largest network of excellent quality roads and as we speak, every day in India 36km of national highways are being carried. So, I must say it is a fantastic time to do road travel in India”. 

Rupinder Brar, Additional DG, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, in an interview said that the Buddhist circuit in India has gained a massive boost with the addition of the Kushinagar airport, which is an airport with the capacity to receive international flights. “India now has 140 airports, and 20 of them are international airports. There will be a number of airports being added to India as we move forward” she added.

IHCL announced a framework to drive its sustainability and social impact measures under Paathya. Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India, G Kishan Reddy, said “Sustainable and responsible tourism is the way forward and the Government of India is already working in this direction. The government and the industry together are exploring ideas, solutions, and strategies to face the environmental and societal challenges. I applaud IHCL for its holistic approach of Paathya and for leading the path for the sector.”

Minister of Tourism, G. Kishan Reddy, said that his ministry will introduce ‘Medical’ visa which can be given for specific purpose to foreign travellers coming to India for medical treatment. ‘E-Medical Visa’ and ‘E-Medical Attendant Visa’ have also been introduced for travellers from 156 countries. The Ministry provides financial Assistance under its Market Development Assistance Scheme to medical tourism service providers accredited by National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) for participation in fairs, conferences, and roadshows.

In order to create a robust framework and synergy amongst the Central Government Ministries, State Governments, and Private Sector for promoting India as a Medical and Wellness Tourism destination, the Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism. To provide a dedicated institutional framework to take forward the cause of promotion of Medical Tourism, the Ministry of Tourism has constituted a National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board with the Minister of Tourism as its Chairman. As part of its ongoing activities, the Ministry of Tourism, releases global print, electronic and online media campaigns in important and potential markets overseas, under the ‘Incredible India’ brand line, to promote various tourism destinations and products of the country. Digital promotions are also regularly undertaken through the Social Media accounts of the Ministry on different themes including the theme of Medical Tourism. 

The development of Tourism is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. However, the Ministry of Tourism under its Swadesh Darshan scheme since its inception has sanctioned 76 projects under 13thematic circuits including ‘Buddhist theme’ for the development of tourism infrastructure in the country. The projects under the scheme were identified for development in consultation with the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations and sanctioned subject to availability of funds, submission of suitable detailed project reports, adherence to scheme guidelines and utilization of funds released earlier, etc. 

The Ministry of Tourism has invited final comments from the stakeholders on draft report for setting up of National Digital Tourism Mission. The draft report has also been published on website for suggestions and feedback from public. MOT had constituted an inter-ministerial task force for National Digital Tourism Mission on 23rd July, 2021. The Task Force has prepared a draft report on proposed National Digital Tourism Mission, which inter-alia lays down domain and technology principles, standards, digital stack, governance structure and plan for implementation of the envisaged National Digital Tourism Mission.

G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and DONER, has launched an e-marketplace platform at a special event organised to coincide with the International Women’s Day at the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM), Gwalior. This portal will be similar to platforms like OLA, Uber, etc, which would help Incredible India Tourist Facilitators & Guides (IITFs/IITGs) to get business opportunities and work as a bridge between the customer and the service provider.

G Kamala Vardhana Rao, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, has said that they are looking at promoting river cruising across the country under the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebration and will be talking about the various tourism opportunities that can be developed around it. He was speaking at the BBC and PATA India webinar titled  ‘New Ways of Marketing to Recharge Tourism’. 

The Government of India has decided to resume scheduled commercial international passenger services to/from India from 27th March i.e. start of Summer Schedule 2022. The suspension of scheduled commercial international passenger services to/from India, thus, stands extended only upto 2359 hrs IST on 26.03.2022 and air bubble arrangements shall accordingly be extended to this extent only. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had suspended operations of scheduled international commercial passenger services to/from India with effect from 23rd March 2020.