Category Archives: MOT

Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of Tourism & Culture (I/C), had a detailed discussion with MOT officials on the content for promotion of tourism in the global media. The Ministry has continuously been talking about the dire need to let the world know and generate confidence among travellers that once international travel begins, India would be a safe destination to travel to.

Rupinder Brar, ADG, Ministry of Tourism, is planning to do small boutique roadshows, some of which will be led by the Minister, while others will be led by senior MOT officials or regional directors. “The idea is to do events which will have around 35-40, or maximum 50 people, including trade, hoteliers, media and we hope to showcase new and nearby itineraries. With this we are hoping to drive domestic demand and create confidence. Some of them will also involve citywalk, where citizens will also be invited. While some roadshows have already started at regional director level, and we are hoping that the minister will kickstart the same in early December. We are hoping to start from Ahmedabad and ten go to Kevadia.”

India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) and Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC), in an attempt to further enhance skilled youth in the hospitality sector, signed an MoU, on 12th November, 2020, for setting-up a ‘Centre of Excellence’ in the state. The MOU was signed digitally by G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, C&MD, ITDC and Arja Srikanth, IRTS, Special Secretary to Govt. of AP, MD & CEO, APSSDC in the presence of other senior officials from ITDC & APSSDC.

Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman has announced Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme 2.0 (ECLGS) for the 26 stressed sectors identified by Kamath Committee, which include tourism, aviation, hotels & restaurants. Under ECLGS 2.0, banks would be able to provide collateral-free, fully guaranteed loans to borrowers on capped interest rates. It supports companies with outstanding dues of Rs 50-500 crore as on 29th Feb, and they would be able to borrow up to 20% of their outstanding dues as on 29th Feb, with a loan tenor set at 5 years. Also there will be a one-year moratorium on principal repayment. The scheme will be available till March 31, 2020.

Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State (I/C), Tourism & Culture, conducted a review meeting with the officials of the Ministry of Tourism on Incredible India Portal new information features. All the senior officials of the ministry, including, Yogendra Tripathi, Secretary; Meenakshi Sharma, DG; Rupinder Brar, ADG; and Rakesh Verma, Joint Secretary, were present at the meeting.

Rakesh Verma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, shares that there is a need to market India as a M!CE destination. “We have to aggressively market India as a MICE destination. The Government has to back the industry in bringing more events and conventions. Our missions abroad can be of great help. It impacts tourism, hospitality, event management and host of other people in the supply chain. India has great potential for MICE industry. The challenge is how to build a string brand India for conventions and events, while backing it up by delivering on the premises. The Government and the industry must jointly build India as a MICE destination.”

Union Minister of State (I//C) for Culture and Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel virtually attended BRICS Tourism Ministers’ Meeting virtually. The meeting was held through video conference under Chairpersonship of Russian Federation.

Union Minister of State for Tourism & Culture (I/C), Prahlad Singh Patel, in a virtual meeting with tourism ministers and officials of 21 states & UTs discussed facilitating ease of travel between states & UTs for promoting domestic tourism and incentives being offered by them to the tourism and hospitality sector.

Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State (I/C), Tourism & Culture, will be having a virtual interaction with state/UT tourism ministers on October 15 and 16. The aim behind these meetings is to discuss post-COVID protocols and put plans in motion to ensure that the tourism sector opens up with safety measures in place. The Minister will be interacting with tourism ministers of the northern and western states and Union territories on October 15 and those of the southern, eastern and north-eastern states on October 16. These meetings will be in line with the meetings held with the tourism stakeholders in the last two months.

Meenakshi Sharma, DG, Tourism, has said that a lot of people in the tourism sector suffer from very low margins. “This raises the question whether we are selling ourselves too cheap or the services are not as promised. This makes it difficult to survive because there is not much scope left amidst too much competition. How do we assure travellers that India is not a destination of extremes — that we have the best luxury products but at the same time have something that can be sold much cheaper.”