Annual Report January, 2020 - December, 2020

Ministry of Government of

Ministry of Tourism | 1 Contents

2 | Annual Report 2020-21 Contents

Chapter No. Title Page No. 1 Tourism – An Overview 5 2 Ministry of Tourism and its Functions 13 3 Ministry of Tourism- Role, Synergy and Convergence 17 4 Tourism Infrastructure Development 21 5 New Tourism Products (Niche Tourism) 27 6 and -Trade 37 7 Human Resource Development 49 8 Publicity and Marketing 57 9 International Cooperation 69 10 India Tourism Development Corporation Limited (ITDC) 75 11 Statistics, Surveys and Studies 89 12 North-Eastern Region and Jammu & Kashmir- Special Emphasis 95 13 Gender Equality 101 14 Welfare Measures 105 15 Vigilance 109 16 Court Cases 113 17 Departmental Accounting Organisation 119 18 Important Audit Observations 123 19 Implementation of Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 127 20 Progressive Use of Official Language Hindi 131 21 135 I India tourism Offices in India 140 II India tourism Offices Abroad 141 III Senior Officers of the Ministry 142 IV Details of Amount released under Swadesh Darshan, 143 PRASHAD,Central Agencies and Fairs & Festivals V Surveys and Studies 154

Ministry of Tourism | 3 4 | Annual Report 2020-21 CHAPTER-1 Tourism - An Overview

Ministry of Tourism | 5 CHAPTER 1 Tourism - An Overview

1.1 The growing influence of the tourism December, 2020, e-visa facility has been sector as an economic powerhouse and its extended to the nationals of 171 Countries potential as a tool for development are under 5 sub-categories i.e ‘e-Tourist visa’, ’e- irrefutable. Not only does the tourism sector Business visa’, ‘e-medical visa’, ‘e-Medical spearhead growth, it also improves the quality Attendant Visa’ and ‘e-Conference Visa’. The of people’s lives with its capacity to create large latest country added is Togo. The e-Visa is valid scale employment of diverse kind. It supports for entry through 28 designated Airports and environmental protection, champions diverse 5 designated seaports. cultural heritage and strengthens peace in the 1.6 The visa fee has been rationalized and world. has been fairly reduced wherein e-Tourists Visa 1.2 Facilitation as well as strengthening of fee reduced to $80 for 5 years, $40 for 1 year tourism in the main objective of and one-month e-tourist Visa fee reduced to Ministry of Tourism. Augmenting tourism $10 for lean season and $25 for peak season. infrastructure, easing of visa regime, assurance 1.7 During 2020, a total of 8.38 million (Jan- of quality standards in services of tourism Nov) foreign tourists arrived on e-Tourist Visa service providers, projection of the country as registering a growth of -67.2%. a 365 days’ tourist destination, promotion of 1.8 etc. are some of the policy For tourism infrastructure creation in areas which need to be constantly worked the country, Ministry of Tourism has two major upon to increase and facilitate . schemes, launched during 2014-15, viz. Swadesh Darshan - Integrated Development 1.3 FTAs during 2020 were 24.62 million of Theme-Based Tourist Circuits and (Jan-Nov)(Provisional) with a growth of - PRASHAD- Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and 74.6% over same period of the previous year. Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive for 1.4 FEEs during the period during Jan 2020 development of tourism infrastructure in the – March 2020 were Rs.44,203 crores (Provisional country including historical places and estimates) with a growth of -15.6% over same heritage cities. period of previous year. FEEs during the period 1.9 Swadesh Darshan scheme has a vision during Jan 2020 – March 2020 were US$ 6.159 to develop theme based tourist circuits on the billion (Provisional estimates) with a growth of principles of high tourist value, competitiveness -17.1% over same period of previous year. and sustainability in an integrated manner by 1.5 Facilitative visa regime is a pre synergizing efforts to focus on needs and requisite for increasing inbound tourism. The concerns of all stakeholders to enrich tourist Ministry of Tourism takes the initiative with experience and enhance employment and Ministry of opportunities. Under the scheme, fifteen External Affairs for achieving the same. As on thematic circuits have been identified for

6 | Annual Report 2020-21 development, namely: North-East India Circuit, 1.14 In pursuance to the appeal made by Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal the Honourable Prime during Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Independence day speech asking every citizen Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural to visit at least 15 destinations by the year 2022, Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, to promote in India, the Heritage Circuit, Tirthankar Circuit & Sufi Ministry had launched the Dekho Apna Circuit. Since the inception of the scheme, an Desh initiative in January 2020. Dekho Apna amount of Rs. 5684.67 crore has been sanctioned Desh is promoted extensively on social media for 76 projects with a total release of Rs. 4278.88 accounts and website of the Ministry and by crore (till 31.12.2020) covering all thematic Domestic India Tourism offices. Under this circuits under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. initiative Ministry has been organizing 1.10 Under PRASHAD scheme, 57 sites have webinars, quiz, pledge, discussions to keep been identified at present in 29 States/UTs for connected with the stake-holders and to development. Since the inception of the encourage citizens to travel within the country. scheme, an amount of Rs. 1160.55 crore has 1.15 The Ministry of Tourism has evolved been sanctioned for 36 projects in 24 States Comprehensive Sustainable Tourism Criteria with the cululative release of Rs. 622.08 crore (STCI) for major segments of the tourism till 12th Jan. 2021. industry, namely accommodation, tour 1.11 Ministry of Tourism extends its operators, Beaches, Backwaters, Lakes and financial support to Central Agencies like River sectors applicable for the entire country. Archeological Survey of India (ASI) , Port The Criteria have been evolved after Trusts of India, India Tourism Development consultations with the various stakeholders. Corporation (ITDC) etc. to develop the potential The Ministry is considering to renew a destinations under their jurisdictions/control. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with A total of Rs.39.77 crore has been released in the Responsible Tourism Society of India 2020 to various Central Agencies for creation (RTSOI) earlier known as Eco Tourism Society of tourism infrastructure related. of India (ESOI) to inform and educate tourism stakeholders about the importance of 1.12 Ministry of Tourism has identified 19 Sustainable and Responsible Tourism practices iconic sites in the country for development and ensuring and promoting Sustainable and under Iconic Tourist Sites Development Project Responsible practices in the tourism industry. and proposes to carry out the development of The target group includes hoteliers, tour these sites in collaboration with various Central operators, individuals from industry, Ministries, State Governments, Urban Local managers, tourist guides, community Bodies, Local Community and Industry representatives and government departments players/Private sector. (culture, forest, environment, Archaeological 1.13 Ministry of Tourism has taken up the Survey of India (ASI), museums, district initiative of identification, diversification, officials) etc. A total of 5 such Workshops at development and promotion of niche tourism Jaipur, Goa, Guwahati, Bhopal and products of the country like Cruise, Adventure, Ahmedabad have been held so far. Medical, Wellness, Golf, Polo, Meetings 1.16 To conform to the expected standards Incentives Conferences & Exhibitions (MICE), for different classes of tourists, especially from Eco-tourism, Film Tourism, Sustainable the point of view of suitability for etc. to overcome ‘seasonality’ tourists, Ministry of Tourism classifies hotels challenge in tourism and to promote India as under the star rating system. Under this system, a 365 days destination. hotels are given a rating, from One Star to Three

Ministry of Tourism | 7 Star, Four and Five Star with or without alcohol, for residential or lodging purposes with a daily Five Star Deluxe, Heritage (Basic), Heritage tariff of Rs.7500 per day per unit or above, the (Classic), Heritage (Grand), Legacy Vintage tax will be 18%. (Basic), Legacy Vintage (Classic) and Legacy 1.18 Government has now exempted the Vintage (Grand) and Apartment Hotels. cruise tourists arriving with e-visa from the Ministry has introduced online system of requirement of bio-metric enrolment. The receiving, processing and conveying/ granting entry seaports for tourists availing e-visa are approvals for project, Hotel classification Mumbai, Cochin, Mormugao, Chennai and / re-classification status to functioning hotels and New Mangalore. project level approval for hotel under 1.19 construction. This online process has also been E-Conference Visa in line with e- integrated with payment gateway. The Ministry conference Visa for Government/P.S.U. also has voluntary schemes for approval of Conferences, would be granted for private accommodation units such as Timeshare conferences organized by private persons/ , Operational , Guest Houses, Bed companies/organizations. & Breakfast / Establishments, Tented 1.20 Triple entry is permitted for e-Medical Accommodation, as well as Online and for e-Medical Attendant Visa and Aggregators, Stand-alone Air Catering Units, extension may be granted up to 6 months on Centres, Standalone . case to case basis on merits of each case by the 1.17 The Ministry of Tourism has taken up Foreigners Regional Registration Officer the GST taxation slabs with the Ministry of (FRRO)/ Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) Finance, , from time to concerned. Medical Attendant Visa will be co- time, as a result of which the following changes terminus with the validity of the principal e- have been effected in GST rate slabs with visa holder. respect to tourism products and services: 1.21 The Ministry of Tourism has launched The GST rate on hotel rooms with tariffs of up the 24x7 Toll Free Multi-Lingual Tourist Info- to Rs 7,500 per night has been cut to 12% from Helpline on the toll free number 1800111363/ the existing 18%. Similarly, the tax on room short code 1363 in 12 Languages including tariff of above Rs 7,500 has been slashed to 18% Hindi and English in February 2016, to from the existing 28%. There will be no GST facilitate and assist domestic and foreign on room tariffs of below Rs 1,000 per night. tourists in terms of information relating to Travel in India and to provide a sense of safety GST (Goods and Services Tax) Council and security. The languages handled by the announced a cut in the tax rate on hotel room Tourist Helpline include ten International tariffs, a move aimed at giving a boost to the languages besides English and Hindi, namely, hospitality sector. The GST rate on hotel rooms Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, with tariffs of up to Rs 7,500 per night has been Korean, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian and cut to 12% from the existing 18%. Similarly, Spanish. the tax on room tariff of above Rs 7,500 has 1.22 been slashed to 18% from the existing 28%. Ministry of Tourism has introduced 24/ There will be no GST on room tariffs of below 7 Live Chat Service interface on the website of Rs 1,000 per night. the Ministry (www.incredibleindia.org) to assist tourists with better planning and quick GST on restaurants eateries has been brought query resolutions. The live chat service assist down to 5% irrespective of whether they are both international and domestic tourists with air-conditioned or not. If a is located their queries and itinerary planning. within the premises of hotels, , guest 1.23 houses, club or any commercial place meant Sensitization workshops are being

8 | Annual Report 2020-21 Kolkata, St. Paul’s Cathedral conducted on promotion of Home stays/ Indian economy in general and Indian tourism Incredible India Bed & Breakfast in specific by enabling creation of a pool of Establishments in all States through its well trained and professional Tourist domestic offices. Incredible India B&B Facilitators and also creation of additional Establishments approved by the Ministry employment opportunities even in remote automatically get recognised by these State areas. Governments. 1.26 RCS- UDAN has been introduced 1.24 It has been the endeavour of the with the main objective of facilitating / Ministry of Tourism to put in place a system stimulating regional air connectivity by of training and professional education, with making it affordable. This is done through necessary infrastructure support, capable of concessions by Central Government, State generating manpower sufficient to meet the Governments and airport operators to reduce needs of the tourism and , the cost of airline operations and financial both quantitatively and qualitatively. As of support to meet the gap, if any, between the now, there are 47 Institutes of Hotel cost of airline operations and expected Management (IHMs), (comprising 21 Central revenues on such routes. Under RCS UDAN- IHMs and 26 State IHMs) and 14 Food Craft 3, connectivity is further improved with 46 Institutes (FCIs), which have come up with the tourism routes included for better connectivity support of the Ministry. One (1) Central IHM of important tourist places including Iconic at Jadgishpur, Uttar Pradesh is under sites, out of which 21 routes have been construction. operationalized to date. 1.25 Ministry of Tourism has launched the 1.27 Tourist Facilitation and Information Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITF) Counter caters to non-English speaking Certification Programme, with the objective of tourists and is also connected to the 24x7 providing online training and accreditation of Helpline – ‘1363’ of the Tourism Ministry Tourist Facilitators through a centralized PAN where the tourists can speak directly with the India e-learning module. This will benefit the foreign language agents and get guidance in

Ministry of Tourism | 9 French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Buddhist website. Top five countries traffic Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Arabic. It is information is as follows: United States (13.2%), currently available at New Delhi, Varanasi, Australia (10.1%), UK (9.7%), (8.5%), Bodhgaya, Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Germany (8.0%). Chennai, Guwahati and Hyderabad. 1.31 The Ministry of Tourism successfully 1.28 The Incredible India website organized and celebrated Bharat Parv showcases range of new contents, including from January 26th to 31st, 2020 at Gyan Path Google 360 walkthroughs and stories, that and grounds in front of Red Fort as part of the features virtual content to provide tourists with Republic Day Celebrations. The Central a walk through of our tourist attractions. In Theme of Bharat Parv 2020 was ‘150 Years of addition, the Incredible India website provides the Mahatma’. The objective of organizing the more personalised content across the globe, Parv was to propagate the idea of ‘Ek Bharat based on tourist interest and content designed Shreshtha Bharat’. to help the tourist make the right decisions 1.32 In order to recognize the efforts of State/ about their visit to India, through more robust UT Governments to maintain tourist places and regulated electronic content management clean, awards titled “Swachh Paryatan Sthaan” solutions (ECM) and with advance analytics earlier known as Swachhta Award and ”Best capability of capturing the tourist engagement Civic Management of a tourist destination in on Incredible India website. India Award under category A for city, B for 1.29 ‘Incredible India’ mobile application, Town / Urban Local Bodies and C for Village launched on 27th of September 2018, assists has been instituted by the Ministry. international and domestic tourists to access 1.33 For a better and smooth travel information about Ministry of Tourism experience of Tourists in the Restricted/Protected recognized tourism service providers namely areas of the country, Ministry of Tourism approved Inbound Tour Operators, Adventure regularly coordinates with Ministry of Home Tour Operators, Domestic Tour Operators, Affairs and as a result, Ministry of Home Affairs Tourist Transport Operators, Travel Agents, has relaxed the PAP/RAP for a further period Regional Level Guides, Classified Hotels of 5 Years i.e. till 31.12.2022 in the states of available in respective cities / Tourist centres. Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland and Union Details of the same will be given through this Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. application to the tourists on their mobile 1.34 phones based on their current location. Tourist Under Adopt a Heritage- ‘Apni can also query similar details for any other city Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan’ Project, 27 he plans to travel in future. In addition to this, Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) have the application will provide places of interest. been awarded to 12 Monument Mitras for twenty-five (25) sites and two (2) Technological 1.30 During the inaugural session of the interventions across India. Buddhist conclave on 23 August 2018, the 1.35 Ministry launched website The Ministry of Tourism took timely Indiathelandofbuddha.in. This website aims to cognizance of the COVID-19 crisis and engaged promote and showcase the rich Buddhist with Industry Stakeholders to mitigate the risks Heritage in India and highlight the major and difficulties to foreign tourists on account of destinations visited by Buddha personally across impact of the crisis. The Ministry has set up the country besides showcasing the Buddhist COVID-19 cell to respond to crisis due to Heritage left behind by his disciples including COVID-19 and to provide support to the the modern monasteries. Since launch (i.e. Aug Industry and foreign tourists during the crisis. 23, 2018), we have had 1.43 M visitors on the With a view to facilitating and extending

10 | Annual Report 2020-21 Trimbakeshwar Nashik Maharashtra support to foreign tourists who were stranded recommendations have been issued for Travel in the country the Ministry had set up a portal Agents, Tour Operators, Tourist Transport ‘’ to disseminate Operators, Tourist Guides and Facilitators. information regarding the services that could They were formulated in consultation with be availed by them. The portal helped tourists State Governments and tourism / hospitality get information/details of State / UT Tourism stakeholders and in keeping with the overall Departments and Regional offices of Ministry guidelines issued from time to time by the of Tourism. The site also provided Helpline Ministry of Health. numbers of the Minis