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Annual Report
The year 2004-05 saw tourism emerging as one of the major sectors for growth of Indian economy, the foreign exchange earnings increased from Rs. 16,429 crore to 21,828 crore up to December. Multi-pronged approach adopted for promotion of tourism, which includes new mechanism for speedy implementation of tourism projects, development of integrated tourism circuits and rural destinations, special capacity building in the unorganized hospitality sector and new marketing strategy.
NEW MECHANISM FOR SPEEDY IMPLEMENTATION OF TOURISM PROJECTS
The Ministry of Tourism provides Central financial assistance to the States for tourism projects which are supposed to be completed with 30 months from the date of sanction but some of the projects sanctioned during the 8th Plan are still to be completed by the States. In order to expedite these projects a new mechanism for monitoring set up during 2004-05. A review at the level of Secretary, Tourism followed by on the spot appraisal of the projects initiated. Quarterly reviews are followed. States were also asked to constitute their Monitoring Committees under the chairmanship of Tourism Secretaries including Deputy Commissioner of the concerned District and representatives of implementing agencies such as CPWD, HUDCO, ASI. Also some of the procedural constraints removed by streamlining guidelines of implementation.
INTRA MINISTRIAL COORDINATION GROUP SET UP
In order to assess infrastructure requirement for tourism promotion and to examine related issues, an intra-Ministerial coordination group was set up under the chairmanship of Arjun Singh, Minister of Human Resources Development. Three meetings were held during the year and several measures taken to solve the infrastructural problems. The group includes Minister for Railways, Minister Urban Development, Minister for I & B and Culture, Minister for Industry, Minister for NRI Affairs, MoS Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation, MoS Civil Aviation besides MoS Tourism.
DEVELOPMENT OF 20 TOURISM CIRCUITS
Earlier a large number of small projects were sanctioned by the Central Tourism Ministry, which resulted in the resources being spread very thinly and at the same time rendering monitoring extremely difficult. These old schemes revamped and merged with others to start integrated development of Tourism circuits. The objectives are to provide all infrastructure facilities required by the tourists within the identified circuits. During 2004-05, development works for following circuits sanctioned: Kurnool Circuit, Andhra Pradesh, Khammam Circuit, Andhra Pradesh, Eco-tourism Circuit, Chhattisgarh, Belur-Halebid/Sravanabelagola Circuit, Karnataka, Northern Karnataka Circuit, Karnataka, Malabar Circuit, Kerala, High Range Tourist Circuit, Kerala, Konkan Riviera Circuit, Part-II, Maharashtra, Integrated Development of Tourist Circuit, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, Development of Kangra Circuit, Himachal Pradesh, Integrated Development of Buddhist Circuit, Orissa, Development of Dayara Bugyal Circuit, Uttaranchal, Development of NE Travel Circuit, Assam, Development of Travel Circuit, Meghalaya, Circuit Development, Mizoram, Development of Travel Circuits at 6 places of Nagaland, Development of tourist Circuit in East Sikkim, Development of tourist Circuit in West Sikkim, Development of Buddhist Circuit at Tashiding, West Sikkim and Integrated Development of tourist Circuit of Srinagar(J & K).
DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL TOURISTS DESTINATIONS
In order to provide employment opportunities and to increase income level in rural areas, the Ministry of Tourism has initiated development of rural destinations. The project seeks to promote local culture and craft for sustainable livelihood and integrated rural development. During 2004-05, 31 rural sites were identified for the development under the scheme and financial assistance released for the following 10 village sites: Puttaparthi, Srikalahasti and chinchinada in Andhra Pradesh, Dehing-Patkai Kshetra in Assam, Balarampur in Kerala, Pranpur in Madhya Pradesh, Pipli and Raghurajpur in Orissa, Lachen in Sikkim and Sonada in West Bengal.
ASSISTANCE TO HOUSEBOAT OWNERS AND PONYWALAS
During 2004-05, Rs. 9 crore assistance was provided to the J & K State as interest subsidy for soft loan to housboat owners, shikara owners for upgradation and repair of their houseboats & shikaras and Capital grant to ponywalas.
ATITHI DEVO BHAVAH PROGRAM
A nation wide campaign, for creating awareness about the effects of tourism and preservation of our rich heritage & culture, cleanliness and warm hospitality through a process of training and orientation launched during 2004-05. It also re-instills a sense of responsibility towards tourists and re-enforces the confidence of foreign tourist towards India as a preferred holiday destination. More than 6500 taxiwalas, restaurant owners and guides trained under the programme.
Several other initiatives taken during the year include record increase in plan allocation for tourism i.e. to Rs. 500 crore in 2004-05 from 325 crore in 2003-04, road shows in key source markets of Europe, Incredible India campaign on prominent TV channels and in magazines across the world. The setting up of task force to promote India as prominent health tourism destination.
NCJ/DT
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