18/09/2015
Ministry of Tourism takes initiatives to promote India as a 365 days destination
MOT-initiatives-1
The Ministry of Tourism has taken the initiative of identifying, diversifying, developing and promoting niche products of the tourism industry. This is done in order to overcome the aspect of ‘seasonality’, and to promote India as a 365 days destination, attract tourists with specific interests, and to ensure repeat visits for the unique products in which India has comparative advantage. Accordingly, the Niche Tourism Products like Cruise Tourism, Medical Tourism, Adventure Tourism, Eco-Tourism, etc. are promoted by MoT. Coastal Circuit is one of the 12 circuits identified under Swadesh Darshan.
Adventure Tourism is one of the emerging segments of travel in India. To promote Adventure Tourism, the Ministry of Tourism has issued guidelines for approval of Adventure Tour Operators and formulated guidelines on Safety and Quality Norms on Adventure Tourism.
Promotion, development of tourism and its infrastructure including promotion of eco-tourism / heritage tourism is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for projects that are complete as per existing scheme guidelines and are sanctioned subject to availability of scheme/funds and utilisation of funds released earlier.
Ministry of Tourism has taken following initiatives to boost eco-tourism in the country:
(i) Evolved Comprehensive Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India (STCI) for three major segments of the tourism industry, namely accommodation, tour operators, Beaches, Backwaters, Lakes and Rivers sectors, which is applicable for the entire country.
(ii) Guidelines for approval of Hotel Projects at the implementation stage and also for Classification / Re-classification of operational hotels under various categories mandate incorporation of various eco-friendly measures like installation of Sewage Treatment Plant, Rain water Harvesting, Waste Management System, Pollution Control and Introduction of non-Chlorofluorocarbon equipment for refrigeration and air conditioners, energy and water conservation measures.
(iii) Promoting Eco-Tourism, inter-alia through domestic and international campaigns and also by supporting seminars, conference and events focusing on development of Eco-Tourism in the country, from time to time.
The Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing promotional activities releases campaigns in the international and domestic markets and also undertakes other promotional activities under the Incredible India brand-line to promote India as a holistic destination for tourists and to showcase its various tourism destinations and products including Yoga and meditation.
The Ministry of Tourism promotes Wellness & Medical Tourism for boosting inflow of foreign tourists in a holistic manner, inter alia, by running campaigns in the international markets under the Incredible India brand-line; conducting Road Shows; Seminars; participating in major international tourism fairs and exhibitions and also by supporting Events / Seminars / Conferences which have focus on wellness and medical tourism. The Ministry of Tourism also produces brochures, CDs, films and other publicity material from time to time for promotion of Medical & Health Tourism. The Government of India has introduced Medical Visa to facilitate the foreign patients for coming to India for their medical treatment.
Promotion of tourism including Spiritual Tourism such as Yoga, Meditation, Pilgrimage etc. and development of its infrastructure is primarily undertaken by the State Governments / Union Territory Administrations (UTs). The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) under its various schemes including Swadesh Darshan Scheme extends Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to them for development of infrastructure related to Spiritual tourism such as Yoga Centres, Meditation Centres, facilities/amenities at Pilgrim Centres, etc. subject to adherence to the existing scheme guidelines, availability of funds and submission of Utilisation Certificates for funds released earlier.
