As per the estimates of 2^nd Tourism Satellite Account of India (TSA) – 2009-10, the contribution of tourism in Employment of the country during 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 was  10.78%, 11.49% and 12.36%, respectively. This information is not available for the subsequent years.

Based on the information available with RBI, the estimated share of tourism in generating foreign exchange in the country during 2014, 2015 and 2016 is 3.56%, 4.13% and 4.51%, respectively.

Government of India has taken various steps to boost tourism in the country, which inter-alia include the following:

·      Launched Hunar Se Rozgar Tak programme to train youth who are minimum 8th pass and in the age group of 18 to 28 years. The programme is intended to meet the skilled manpower requirement of the sector, as also to reach out the poor in the society to give them employable skills.

·      E- Visa facility extended to citizens of 163 countries. 

·      The Incredible India 2.0 campaign launched with market specific promotional plans and content creation.

·      24x7 Toll Free Multi-Lingual Tourist Helpline 1800111363 launched in 12 International Languages including Hindi and English.

·      Providing Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for development and promotion of tourism.

·      Identification, diversification, development and promotion of Niche products like Cruise, Adventure, Medical, Wellness, Golf, Polo, Eco, Film and Meeting Incentives Conference and Exhibition (MICE).

Various segments of tourism sector like Medical & Wellness tourism, Adventure tourism, Meetings Incentives Conferences & Exhibitions (MICE) tourism, Golf tourism, Cruise tourism, Eco tourism, film tourism and Buddhist tourism have contributed in generating employment and foreign exchanges.           

This information was given by Shri K. J. Alphons, Union Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

****

Sanjay Kumar/jk/Tourism-2/27-12-2017