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The Tourism Minister highlighted major infrastructure development schemes, enhanced safety mechanisms for foreign tourists, and an increase in tourist visits across States and Union Territories.
India set to become a global tourism hub
New Delhi: The Government on Monday shared a clear plan to boost India’s position as a global tourist destination.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism has been continuously engaging with State Governments and Union Territory (UT) Administrations to promote the establishment of dedicated Tourist Police units aimed at strengthening on-ground safety and security for tourists.
As a result of these sustained efforts, several States and UTs-namely Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, and Uttar Pradesh-have already deployed Tourist Police.
The Central Government has further stated that the remaining States and Union Territories are at various stages of implementing similar mechanisms, in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism, to enhance tourist safety across the country.
Replying to a starred question in the Lok Sabha, Union Tourism Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that while tourism development is primarily the responsibility of State Governments and Union Territory administrations, the Centre is actively supporting them through multiple flagship schemes.
The Tourism Minister highlighted major infrastructure development schemes, enhanced safety mechanisms for foreign tourists, and an increase in tourist visits across States and Union Territories.
Major Tourism Development Schemes
The Minister informed the House that the Ministry of Tourism is providing financial assistance under key schemes such as Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive), and Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development.
He added that the Swadesh Darshan Scheme has been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0, focusing on sustainable, responsible, and destination-centric tourism. Under this, a new Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD) sub-scheme aims at holistic development of tourist destinations across the entire tourism value chain. States have also been issued guidelines under Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) for developing iconic tourist centres to global standards.
Funds Allocation
Details of funds allocated and utilised under these schemes over the last three years and the current year have been placed before the House in an annexure, the Minister said.
Focus on Tourist Safety
Emphasising that tourist safety is a State subject, the Minister said the Centre has taken several concrete steps to ensure the safety and security of foreign tourists:
Tourist Police have been deployed in multiple States and UTs including Rajasthan, Delhi, Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and others.
A 24x7 multilingual Tourist Helpline (1363 / 1800-11-1363) is operational in 12 languages, including 10 international languages.
States are being encouraged to utilise funds under the Nirbhaya Fund for the ‘Safe Tourism Destination for Women’ initiative.
Adoption of a nationwide Code of Conduct for Safe & Honourable Tourism to ensure dignity, safety, and freedom from exploitation for tourists, especially women and children.
Foreign Tourist Arrivals
The Minister also shared that detailed data on foreign tourist visits across States and UTs over the last three years, including figures for Bharatpur, Deeg and Alwar districts of Rajasthan, has been provided in a separate annexure.
Crimes Against Foreign Tourists
On cases of misconduct against foreign tourists, the House was informed that the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has published State/UT-wise data on crimes against foreign tourists for the years 2021 to 2023, including cases registered, charge-sheeted, and convictions. These details have also been tabled in annexures.
The government reiterated its commitment to making India a safe, sustainable, and globally competitive tourism destination, working closely with States, UTs, and other stakeholders.
