Adopt a Heritage Scheme
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❡—31 prospective 'monument mitras' were recently shortlisted by an oversight and vision committee for developing tourist-friendly amenities at 95 monuments, heritage and other tourist sites ❡—
❡—Private sector was encouraged to adopt heritage sites for creation, operation and maintenance of basic and advanced amenities at tourist destinations ❡—
Upkeep of important monuments is being placed in hands of vetted private companies. Monuments will be properly maintained and tourist potential improved through creation of amenities, marketing and better operations. CSF and govt schemes can be used for funding; and if successful, govt can devote more resources to these sites.
Dalmia Bharat won contracts to adopt Red Fort and the Gandikota Fort (in Kadapa, AP) see 1.
Schemes to improve tourist sites
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Holistic development of 10 iconic sites and improvement of 100 Adarsh monuments, proposed in 2018 budget, hopes to facilitate tourists and improve their overall experience. PRASAD (pilgrimage) scheme for developing 37 sites, from 2017 budget, is nearing completion.
https://plus.google.com/100789863972538583352/posts/KDHZnqaQocc
100 iconic sites were chosen for "exemplary sanitation". This benefits tourism directly, brings feel good factor and creates a positive image for India. It also promotes beacons of excellence across the country, and creates local skill sets. PSU like BSNL & Indian Railways are adding Wifi hotspots in select tourist sites and all city railway stations.
❡—31 prospective 'monument mitras' were recently shortlisted by an oversight and vision committee for developing tourist-friendly amenities at 95 monuments, heritage and other tourist sites ❡—
❡—Private sector was encouraged to adopt heritage sites for creation, operation and maintenance of basic and advanced amenities at tourist destinations ❡—
Upkeep of important monuments is being placed in hands of vetted private companies. Monuments will be properly maintained and tourist potential improved through creation of amenities, marketing and better operations. CSF and govt schemes can be used for funding; and if successful, govt can devote more resources to these sites.
Dalmia Bharat won contracts to adopt Red Fort and the Gandikota Fort (in Kadapa, AP) see 1.
Schemes to improve tourist sites
Holistic development of 10 iconic sites and improvement of 100 Adarsh monuments, proposed in 2018 budget, hopes to facilitate tourists and improve their overall experience. PRASAD (pilgrimage) scheme for developing 37 sites, from 2017 budget, is nearing completion.
https://plus.google.com/100789863972538583352/posts/KDHZnqaQocc
100 iconic sites were chosen for "exemplary sanitation". This benefits tourism directly, brings feel good factor and creates a positive image for India. It also promotes beacons of excellence across the country, and creates local skill sets. PSU like BSNL & Indian Railways are adding Wifi hotspots in select tourist sites and all city railway stations.
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Shared publicly
- 1. Red Fort adopted under Centre's heritage preservation scheme
REPLY 47w - Summary
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1. Foreign tourist arrivals (incl medical variety) are growing rapidly. Forex is growing just as fast.
2. Travel & Tourism sector (incl domestic business) is improving quality and competitiveness. This should ensure a healthy growth in tourism-related GDP & jobs
3. Investment is mainly from the private sector and FDI (eg hospitality). States play a vital role in policy, incentives and some projects
4. Direct spending by Centre is relatively modest (eg iconic sites, promotions). Its impact can be felt through various Ministries (incl Telecoms, Home, Commerce, Drinking water & Sanitation) and PSUs.
✍ Growth in Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) at 15.6% pa or 9m for 11 months of 2017. E-tourist Visas are growing at 60% pa and now stand at 1.5m. Visa on Arrival scheme is a phenomenal success.
― Largest source of Forex at $25B and growing at 16.9%
― Medical tourism industry is expected to touch $9B by 2020. Karnataka has become a hub for those seeking advanced medical care in India
✍ Jump in Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) from 65th rank to 40th in 4 years
― Domestic spend is rising at 13%, which is faster than per capita income
― Travel & Tourism sector employed 40.3m (2016) or 9.3% total employed. It's 9.6 % of GDP and growing at 6.7%.
― Govt spends just $2.4B in the sector, though total investment is $35.3B and growing at 5.7%
✍ Central Financial Assistance to States for large tourism infrastructure projects
✍ Collaboration with railways, shipping, power, culture, ASI, urban development etc
― Connecting Tier 2 & 3 cities under UDAN & ambitious increase of airport capacities
― National Highways to connect popular tourist destinations under Bharatmala
― 5 cruise terminals to be developed under Sagarmala
― metrorail in large cities
― special trains for festivals and foreign tourists
― underground power cables in Varanasi
― power connection to remote habitations
― urban and rural cleanliness and sanitation drive
― safe drinking water and better rural infra
― excellent wireless connectivity in the tourist areas
― multiple choices for digital payments
― proliferation of CCTV
✍ Private sector involvement in creating and operating amenities like wayside amenities in tourist sites and National Highways
✍ Training to thousands in tourist sector
✍ 5 Special Tourism Zones (STZ) on PPP to be set up in partnership with States, eg Jharkhand
◊― Ranchi & Bada Talab are being developed as tourism hubs in Jharkhand.
◊― Patratu Lakeside Resort is being developed in state.
◊― 200 acres international film city near Patratu in Ramgarh
Central Govt funding and projects---------------------------------------------------
Majority of spending under M of Tourism is done on infra development, with aim to improve conveniences, ease of access (travel in & out), safety, cleanliness and experiential impact of sites. Boards like the Hospitality Development & Promotion Board were set up to monitor progress and facilitate projects in private and govt sectors. Govt also spends monies on promotions for specific (international) markets. State govts have own policies, investment plans and promotions.
"Adopt a Heritage” project is a scheme for holistic development of iconic sites. Others like:
✍ PRASAD for 60% domestic tourism that goes on pilgrimage. 27 projects sanctioned (out of 37 sites) at modest $93m
-- provide better infra like accessibility (travel in and out), conveniences, etc
-- provide better services & facilities like cleanliness & security
-- provide enrichening experience, that touches the soul and makes the trip worthwhile
✍ Swadesh Darshan proposes developing 13 theme-based circuit catering for varied cultures and geographies. 67 projects were sanctioned till 2017 for $870m. Eg
◘ Spiritual (general) ◘ Buddist (religious)
◘ Specials: Ramayana, Krishna
◘ Himalayan ◘ North-East ◘ Coastal
◘ Tribal ◘ Heritage
◘ Adventure ◘ Ecotourism
State Govt policy initiatives------------------------------------------
Gujarat Tourism Policy 2015-2020
• Capital subsidies: An investment of over USD7.6 million for tourism units will get a subsidy of 15 per cent, up to a maximum of USD1.5 million.
• Stamp duty reimbursements: Tourism units will qualify for 100 per cent reimbursement of stamp duty and registration charges on sale/ lease/ transfer of land for the first transaction only.
• Exemption from Luxury Tax and Entertainment Tax for eligible tourism units for five years from commencement of commercial operations or the date of completion of expansion.
• Complete exemption from Electricity Duty for five years for new tourism units only.
• As per the World Travel & Tourism Council, investments estimated to the tune of USD4 billion is likely to come into the state by 2025.
Karnataka Tourism Policy 2015-2020
• An investment worth USD8.4 billion is estimated in the sector over the policy period, out of which 50 per cent is expected from the private sector.
• Identification of tourism destinations: 319 destinations have been identified across the state for developing into tourist destinations.
• Focus on research and infrastructure: Focus more on research and infrastructural development instead of concessions and incentives.
• Mega projects worth more than USD7.8 million would be eligible for special incentives. 100 per cent exemption on entertainment tax for small and medium-sized theme parks.
• Transfer of development rights also in the offing through Development Rights Certificate, for the development of heritage buildings.
Goa Tourism
• The state of Goa introduced its Investment Policy in 2014 to promote tourism and other industries, with a focus on private or public-private investments.
• Establishment of hotels: The government aims to grant permissions to hotels to build accumulative additional capacity of around 8,000 beds in 5 years till 2019.
• Increased focus on niche and boutique hotels: The government would encourage development of boutique and luxury hotels in the state.
• Investments in areas such as oceanariums, theme parks, shopping malls, entertainment centres, convention centres, water and adventure sports, marinas and hinterland river cruise, heritage tourism, etc. would be encouraged.
Jharkhand tourism initiatives
• Implementation of State Tourism Policy published in 2015, eg
• Single window clearance policy to boost investment in the tourism sector
• Implementation of ‘Jharkhand Tourism Home Stay Scheme’
• Commissioning of ‘Jharkhand Tourism Development Council’ for project implementation
• Short term training, in the field of tourism and hospitality sector, is being provided under ‘Employment from Skill’ (Hunar se Rojgar)
• Promotion of PPP to mobilise more private investment in the sector
• ‘Baba Baidyanath Dham – Basukinath Shrine Area Development Authority Act 2015’ act has been enacted for development, regulation and management of shrine areas of Baba Baidyanath Dham and Basukinath Dham.
• See earlier
Future plans-------------------
Medical Tourism
• India is a preferred destination for medical tourism because of its world-class hospitals and skilled medical professionals. Medical tourism earnings could exceed USD9 billion by 2020-2021
• In 2016, over 210,000 medical tourists arrived in India as compared to 134,000 in 2015.20 According to a recent report, over 500,000 foreign patients seek treatment in India every year
• Market is responding well with tour operators aggressively tying up with prospective hospitals.
Cruise Tourism
• Government intends to increase the number of cruise tourists from 0.2 million to 4 million in the next 5 years with the number of ship visits to increase from 158 to 955 every year. Revenues expected to shoot up to USD54.9 million in 2022 from USD1.1 million in 2016.
• Cruise network to be connected to ASEAN countries comprising Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
• Government expects to create 0.25 million jobs at the 5 main ports of Mumbai, Goa, Mangaluru, Chennai and Kochi.
Rural Tourism
• Large population of India lives in rural setups and has a wide variety of cultural ethos and experiences to share with the incoming tourists and at the same time benefit local community economically and socially.
• As per SEWA – Self-help Women’s Association that has 2 million members in villages, local people have started sharing their homes under Bread & Breakfast (B&B) set ups with visitors. Tied with a leading online hospitality marketplace, technology in the form of mobile apps is adding to the success story.
Eco Tourism
• With unique offerings on bio-diversity and rich natural heritage, government is developing infrastructure in eco-sensitive areas to push for alternative tourism offerings.
STZs
see above
REPLY 46w - ✴ 2018 Budget called for 5-fold capacity increase or 1cr passenger flights by 2028 or 10yrs.
✴ According to article, this would need Rs 5-6lakh cr total investment
✴ Centre is planning Rs 21k cr investment in next 5 years. In total Rs 1lakh cr will be invested in this period by all parties, incl States
✴ Centre will rope in AAI (Central agency) and use 60% debt for its projects. No PPP is involved here.
✴ It starts by building new terminal capacity at Chennai, Lucknow and Guwahati airports.
REPLY 46w - Steps taken by Centre to promote tourism (2016)
1. Revamping existing schemes, eg Hunar se Rozgar tak
2. New schemes eg. Swadesh Darshan and PRASAD
3. Adarsh Smarak - 100 monuments to be provided tourism facilities, incl Wi-Fi, security, signage, encroachment free area, interpretation centres incl films, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
4. Annual International Tourism Mart for/ in North-Eastern States to promote tourism & develop tourism potential in NE region.
5. Liberalised E-tourist Visas (cover more countries)
6. Mobile apps for tourists, eg Incredible India hotline, Multilingual Tourist Helpline (toll-free in 10 foreign languages)
7. Swachh Paryatan mobile app for the public to report hygiene concerns
8. Skills training via setting up new institutes, eg Indian Culinary Institute, Hotel Management etc.
9. Ease of doing business, eg. classification of hotels & tourism providers; web-based app for filling, approvals and payments; transparent processing of applications.
REPLY 46w - Ecotourism through Blue flag beaches
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Environmental ministry is set to develop 13 blue flag beaches, which are friendly to the environment and tourist havens. It will:
1) improve aquatic habitat by cleaning the growing pollution and garbage in the beaches
2) develop ecological tourism with constant development of tourist facilities.
— First in Asia
— 33 standards in four areas
— Eg. clean water, plastic-free, garbage collection and waste management system, tourist facilities, sensitive to ecology, etc
REPLY 35w - Himachal Pradesh tourism
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Popular tourist resorts like Shimla, Manali, Narkanda, Kasauli, Kalpa and Dharamsala are chock-a-block with tourists. Since tourism gives major revenue for HP govt, it wants to develop new (virgin) tourist destinations.
Opening up new areas by making good road, rail and air connections helps tourism to flourish. (Surprisingly Himachal neither has good air nor rail connectivity). Eg. Rohtang Pass road tunnel, built as a national project due to its strategic benefits, opens a vista to the cold deserts of Lahaul Valley. It also reduces travel times by 4 hrs or 45km and helps the military.
HP is pursuing other such strategic links to gain Central funding. Eg 498-km Pathankot-Leh rail line will be declared a national project and MoD has agreed to prioritise construction.
▬ "Alignment of P-L rail link goes through important tourist destinations en route, eg Mandi, Kullu, Manali, Keylong. The line from Bilaspur shall be further connected to Bhanupali between Anandpur Sahib and Nangal Dam."
Likewise, a few of its airports can be developed to serve the Indian Airforce.
REPLY 35w
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