Category Archives: MOT

A recent whitepaper titled ‘Indian Tourism Infrastructure- Investment Opportunities & Challenges’ released by FICCI, reveals that employment generated through in 2017-18 was 81.1 million, which was almost 5 million more than what it was in 2016-17 (75.90 million). In 2015-16 employment created by tourism was 72.3 million, which was 69.5 million and 67.2 million in 2014-15 and 2013-14 respectively. The reports used data released by Ministry of Tourism (MOT), which was based on Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), which comprises of a set of 10 standard tables which are key to estimating the economic contribution of tourism in the economy. According to 3rd TSA, the share in employment generated by tourism increased from 12.19 in 2016-17 to 12.38 in 2017-18.

In an effort to ease the woes of tourists, the Ministry of Tourism is planning to launch a Twitter-based grievance redressal mechanism for tourists to file their complaints in real time. The ministry wants to replicate the External Affairs Ministry’s Twitter Seva Service, which was launched in 2016 with an aim to centralise and expedite its grievance redressal mechanism. Tourism Minister Prahlad Patel had a meeting with officials of Twitter this week and requested them to create a dedicated mechanism. The ministry is also likely to create a dedicated cell to address the issues raised by tourists on the handle so that they can be resolved within a given time frame. Union ministries such as the railways receive a lot of complaints from passengers on their Twitter handle and these are addressed by the divisional railway managers concerned as well as the public relation officers. It’s been said that Twitter has advised the ministry to first create a cell comprising personnel from the ministry. Currently, tourists can register their grievances on a 24×7 toll-free multi-lingual tourist helpline.

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has spent Rs 1,687.06 crore and Rs 1,986.04 crore during the years 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively under its plan scheme on tourism sector. The budget estimate under the plan scheme for the sector during the financial year 2019-20 is Rs 2,075.12 crore. The Ministry has taken several initiatives to boost tourism in the country and this budget will be spent on activities that include activities such as organisation of the annual global tourism mart for India in line with major international travel marts being held in countries across the world, organisation of biennial International Buddhist Conclave, organisation of annual international tourism mart for promotion of tourism in North Eastern states, promotional activities in overseas markets through its India tourism offices, conducting roadshows and ‘Know India’ seminars, etc. This was revealed by Minister of State (I/C) for Culture & Tourism, Prahlad Singh Patel. The tourism sector contributed an estimated (direct + indirect) 5.06% to the Gross Domestic Product of the country during 2016-17. The estimated share (direct + indirect) of jobs due to tourism was 12.38% during 2017-18. An estimated additional 13.92 million jobs (direct + indirect) were created due to tourism during the years from 2014-15 to 2017-18.

The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) has sanctioned the highest number of projects in Uttar Pradesh under its Swadesh Darshan scheme. This number stands at eight with Rs 505.38 cr sanctioned for it. Following close on its heels are Kerala with six sanctioned projects at a budget of Rs 503.83 cr sanctioned for it and an equal number in J&K with Rs 561.45 cr set aside for it, making the state the recipient of the largest dole from MoT under this scheme. At the other end of the spectrum though is Karnataka with zero projects sanctioned under both schemes that were launched in 2014-15. MoT, under its schemes of Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD, provides financial assistance to state governments/Union Territories/Central agencies for developing tourism infrastructure in the country. For this, the state governments and Union Territories administrations regularly submit utilization certificates for the funds released to them by the Ministry based on which the next instalment of funds are released in conformity with the GFRs and the directions issued by the Ministry of Finance from time to time.  

A report by India Brand Equity foundation, titled Tourism & Hospitality, revealed that domestic tourists will lead the growth of tourism in terms of spending. The share of foreign tourist spending in 2018 was 12.8 per cent, while that of domestic visitor spending was 87.2 per cent, which was 74.4 per cent more. The report estimated the domestic travel revenues at US$ 215.38 billion in 2018, which is anticipated to further increase to US$ 40.5.8 billion by 2028.

The Ministry of Tourism has so far issued Letters of Intent to 37 agencies under its ‘Adopt a Heritage’ project done in collaboration with Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), State/UTs Governments. Revealing this was Aashima Mehrotra, Director, Ministry of Tourism, who was in Mumbai for a cultural event organised by the Ministry of Tourism for creating awareness about this project. She said, “We have come up with a unique concept called Vision Bidding for which you will not find any parallel anywhere in the world. This does not involve any financial bidding but it is given to the best vision instead. It depends on how best you can develop a site. So far we have issued Letters of Intent to 37 agencies for 106 monuments and we have signed 11 MoUs which are in various stages of implementation. We are going slow because this project is very sensitive in nature and we want to see what the agencies can offer. So we are not in a hurry to award heritage sites to them.” The scheme ‘Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan’ was launched on September 27, 2017 to preserve the rich cultural and natural heritage and to promote tourism across the length and breadth of our country. The Project began with selected ASI ticketed monuments and the scope has now been expanded to include other natural and cultural sites across the country. It was strongly emphasised that tourist experience is the prime parameter to evaluate our performance in the sector.  

The newly appointed, Prahalad Singh Patel, assumed charge as the Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism at his office in Transport Bhawan, New Delhi. The minister holds the portfolio of Minister of State (I/C) for Culture as well. Post assuming office, the minister said, “The tourism and culture ministry have a huge potential. If you look at the different means of earnings and revenue across the world, tourism remains a major source of employment generation. India is a big nation and its cultural identity is expansive. Therefore, preserving our cultural identity, we will take tourism ahead and with full determination we will try and achieve our Prime Ministers objectives. From 2014-2019, progressive work has taken place, we will try to increase the pace of progress and with time we will try and achieve our targets. I believe all the department officials are carrying on their work and the media also play a vital role in tourism and their cooperation is required.”

Prahlad Singh Patel has been appointed as the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. He is a five-time parliamentarian and was a front runner for Modi’s second cabinet. He also served as a Minister of State for coal in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. He takes over from Alphons Kannanthanam. He defeated his nearest competitor Pratap Singh of Congress with a margin of 3,53,411. Patel holds BSc, LLB, MA (Philosophy) degrees. He was also a member of Executive Council of VV Giri National Labour Institute and member of the Consultative Committee in the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Air India, which is running in losses currently, may reportedly join hands with the Ministry of Tourism (MOT) for a working partnership overseas, under which tourist offices at around eight overseas destinations would shift to Air India offices. Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and MOT are in discussions for the partnership, as part of the cost restructuring by the MOT, under which it will require to shut offices at prime tourist destinations, like London, Paris, Amsterdam, Toronto, Tokyo, Sydney and Milan. As part of the arrangement, India Tourism will pay rent to Air India along with a nominal amount for the service rendered by the Air India staff. Last year, MOT, which had 15 overseas offices, was asked by the government to reduce the number of offices in two-three years and shift operations to the embassies in those cities. Th shifting to embassies part has been in debate owing to security concerns and scepticism over manpower.

At the recently concluded PATA Annual Summit & Board Meeting held at Cebu, Philippines, Yogendra Tripathi, Tourism Secretary, Government of India, Ravneet Kaur, Chairman & Managing Director, ITDC and Jatinder Taneja, Managing Director, Travel Spirit International, were appointed to the PATA Board. Yogendra Tripathi & Ravneet Kaur have also been appointed to the Government/Destination Committee of PATA. Vikram Madhok is already been a member of the Board since 2018. Thomas Thottathil, Vice President Cox & Kings India and SanJeet, Director DDP Publications are members of the board as Industry Council Proxy. The PATA Industry Council now has the five members from India including • Vikram Madhok, MD Abercrombie & Kent India • Jatinder Taneja, MD, Travel Spirit International Pvt Ltd • SanJeet, Director DDP Publications Pvt Ltd • Thomas C Thottathil, Vice President Cox & Kings Ltd. • Riyaz U.C, MD Spiceland Holidays