Category Archives: MOT

To motivate stakeholders to promote tourism destinations in the country, the Ministry of Tourism (MOT) has modified the guidelines of the Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) scheme for the promotion of domestic tourism. The new guidelines has made availing the scheme simpler with liberal norms and more financial assistance to eligible stakeholders such as tour operators, hotels and aggregators.

Rupinder Brar, ADG, Tourism, has said that they are in touch with insurance providers and Ministry of Finance to look at possibilities of providing insurance to travellers coming into India. “We are studying international models to see how we can incentivise travellers to come to our country and offer a certain sense of security to aid the process,” she said.

Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism flagged off the 800 km cycle tour for 28 participants starting from the early morning of December 3 from India Gate. Named as ‘Tour de Golden Triangle’ the participants will travel to Jaipur, Agra and some parts of Rajasthan and come back to Delhi again.

India Tourism Kolkata, Regional Office (East), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India celebrated the Constitution Day, led by the Regional Director (East) followed by a brief discussion on the salient features of the Indian Constitution.

Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism, has said that the tourism industry will experience consistent growth with skilful employees. “To come out successfully from the current crisis, organisations will need to nurture their employees’ digital, cognitive, and resilience skill sets,” she said while speaking at the webinar on ‘Trends in Future Jobs, Skill Development & Training in Travel, Tourism & Hospitality’ organised by FICCI.

Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General, MOT, shares that the emphasis this time of MOT’s international promotional strategy will be on short-haul flights, countries and destinations from where people can actually travel in times to come. “We will be focusing on South Asia and Southeast Asia, as well as on tapping new markets,” she says.

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.