Government of India
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
Vol. 5, July-September, 2017
TOURISM- A FIGURATIVE STATUS
The Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during
July-September 2017 were 2.24 million as
compared to 1.99 million during the same period in
2016, showing a growth of 12.6%. The Foreign
Exchange Earnings (FEEs) through tourism for the
Quarter were ₹42,775 Crores as compared to
₹38,480 Crores in the corresponding period in
2016, registering a growth of 11.2 %. In US$ terms,
the FEEs stood at US $6.65 billion during July-
September, 2017 as compared to US $5.74 billion
in 2016 for the same period. The FTAs on e- Tourist
Visa were 3,49,574 during July-September, 2017 as
compared to 2,03,393 during July-September,
2016 registering a growth of 71.9 %.
UPDATES ON ACTIVITIES OF
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
Schemes/ Initiatives
A total of four projects were sanctioned under the
Swadesh Darshan Scheme at a total cost of ₹338.76
Crore in the States of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar
Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh for the development of
Spiritual, Eco, Ramayana and Buddhist circuits.
Under PRASAD Scheme, one project for
“Development of Srisailam Temple” in Kurnool
District of Andhra Pradesh was sanctioned at an
estimated cost of ₹ 47.45 Crore.
“Swachhta Hi Sewa” campaign
Ministry of Tourism undertook “Swachhta Hi Sewa”
campaign from 15th September to 02nd October
2017 at more than 80 tourist/pilgrim places all over
the country through its Indiatourism offices. The
campaign was kick started at Juhu Beach on
15.09.2017 and major cleanliness drive was
undertaken along with other activities to create
awareness on Swachhta.
Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Shri K. J. Alphons
also joined for various cleanliness activities at
India Gate and Janpath Market in Delhi and at
Smith Village in Shillong, Meghalaya during the
campaign. He interacted with the visitors/
tourists, shopkeepers and stakeholders urging
everyone to contribute to make the country clean
and beautiful. He also administered the Swachhta
Pledge to all participants at these places.
In addition, Ministry of Tourism also observed
Swachhta Pakhwada from 16th to 30th September
2017 organizing cleanliness activities involving
all educational institutions and also ITDC.
IMPORTANT EVENTS
International Tourism Day
Ministry of Tourism organized the National
Tourism Awards function for 2015-16 at Vigyan
Bhawan, New Delhi on International Tourism Day
(27th September, 2017). Shri Ram Nath Kovind,
Hon’ble President of India was the Chief Guest at
the function.
A total of 80 awards were given away to the State
Governments/local administrations/travel, trade
and hospitality industry etc. for their outstanding
performance in the field of tourism.
The Incredible India 2.0 campaign and “Adopt a
Heritage Project” was launched during the Awards
function along with the design of the Incredible
India 2.0 website.
‘Adopt a Heritage Project’ plans to entrust heritage
sites to the public sector, private sector companies
and individuals for the development of tourist
amenities. The Incredible India website launched at
the Awards function is an advanced version of the
website with many useful features to make it more
interactive and to provide a deeper engagement to
the travelers visiting the website.
The Incredible India 2.0 campaign was launched in
the international markets on leading global TV
channels like BBC, CNN, Euro News as well as on
social media (Twitter) to make an impact in the
various source markets. The Campaign is being
released in the prime existing markets as well as
important potential markets. Niche tourism
products like Heritage Tourism, Adventure
Tourism, Cruise Tourism, Rural Tourism,
Wellness & Medical Tourism, MICE, Golf, etc. are
being promoted through the Incredible India 2.0
campaign.
Promotional Activities
Ministry of Tourism launched Domestic
Television Campaigns on Doordarshan in
August, 2017 to promote tourism to the
North East Region and to the State of
Jammu & Kashmir and to encourage travel
to tourist destinations in these regions.
Global Media Campaign for 2017-18 was
launched on the Euro Sports Channel in
August 2017. The campaign has been timed
to coincide with the US Open Tennis
Tournament, to ensure visibility of
Incredible India during telecast of this
important event on the international sports
calendar.
In order to boost India’s attractiveness as a
tourism destination and draw more visitors,
Niche Tourism Products are being
developed and promoted. The second
meeting of the National Task Force on
Adventure Tourism was held to discuss the
issues relating to development of adventure
tourism in the country. Ministry of Tourism
has agreed in principle for celebrating 2018
as year of Adventure Tourism.
Other important activities
Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Chief
Minister of Odisha, Secretary Tourism,
Ministry of Tourism and Principal Secretary
Tourism & Culture, Govt. of Odisha along
with other dignitaries attended the inaugural
event of 33rd IATO Annual Convention on
7th September, 2017.
Shri Satyajeet Rajan, Director General
(Tourism) attended the 13th Annual
Convention of the Adventure Tour
Operators Association of India held in
Kumarakom, Kerala from 18-21 September
2017 on the theme "Adventure Travel:
Emerging Pathways".
Ministry of Tourism organized a CICA
(Conference of the Interaction and
Confidence Building Measures in Asia)
workshop on “Building bridges across Asia
through tourism” on 28th September, 2017
at New Delhi which included presentation
on India by Ministry of Tourism, Panel
discussions, Question & Answer Sessions
etc.
Ministry of Tourism organized the 01st
Meeting of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal
Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and
Economic Cooperation) Tour Operators on
7th July, 2017 at New Delhi. The meeting
extensively deliberated on the measures for
promotion of interregional/intra-regional
tourism and agreed on several measures
including formulation of common
marketing strategy such as creation of a
BIMSTEC brand for tourism, development
of a common website for
promotion/marketing etc.
Ministry of Tourism participated in Inter
Ministry Weightlifting Championship held
during 26-29 September, 2017 wherein Mr
Sandeep Kumar won Gold medal in 77 kg
category.
ACTIVITIES OF INDIA TOURISM
OFFICES OVERSEAS
Incredible India Campaign
India Tourism – Dubai Launched one month long
“Incredible India” campaign on 12 public transport
buses of Cairo city on 24th September 2017 in
coordination with Embassy of India in Cairo, Egypt.
These buses run on 5 routes in East, Middle, North,
South and Giza parts of Cairo Metropolitan area
having population of more than 20 million.
Road Shows
India Tourism- Dubai Organized Incredible India
Road Show at Hotel Semiramis, Cairo in association
with Embassy of India, Cairo, Egypt on 25th
September 2017, which was attended by more than
90 persons including government tourism officials,
travel agents and tour operators.
India Tourism- Singapore organised “Incredible
India Road Show” at Bangkok, Thailand on 27th
September 2017, in association with Embassy of
India, Bangkok. A presentation was made by
Indiatourism on overview of Indian tourism;
presentation on Buddhist Circuit of India was made
by Thai Buddhist Association; presentation on Yoga
and wellness tourism to India was made by Devine
Yoga at Bangkok.
Other important activities of India
Tourism Offices Overseas
India Tourism Offices Overseas organized the
following events:
India Tourism Los Angeles - Know India seminar for travel agents and tour operators in San Jose, California on 11th August, 2017.
India Tourism London - Organized
Midnight Run at the Parliament Square,
London on the 14th August on the occasion
of Independence day.
India Tourism Beijing - Organized ‘India
Visa Workshop’ at Embassy of India, Beijing
on 25th August, 2017.
India Tourism Dubai - Organized Know
India Seminar in association with Embassy of
India, Muscat on 29th August, 2017, which
was attended by around 120 travel agents,
media, Airlines staff and officials from Govt.
of Oman.
India Tourism Offices Overseas also
participated in various events like Global
Travel Marketplace (GTM) event, Travel
Industry Expo, Travel & Adventure Show,
Trade Expo, India Day Parade, etc. to
promote the India Tourism Products.
ACTIVITIES OF DOMESTIC
REGIONAL OFFICES
India Tourism- South
Regional Review Meeting for Southern region
was held at Hyderabad on 14th July 2017 under
the Chairpersonship of Secretary (Tourism)
Indiatourism Chennai organized GST
sensitization programme for the Tourism stake
holders on 4th August 2017. Commissioner,
Central Excise, Govt. of India chaired the
meeting and explained queries raised by the
Tourism stake holders on GST.
Cleaning Campaigns were carried out by
Indiatourism offices of Southern Region at
various venues from 15th Sep’17 to 02nd Oct’ 17
ICON 2017, the National Convention of the
IATA Agents Association of India (IAAI), was
held from 14th –17th September at Cherai Beach
Resorts, Kochi and was inaugurated by the
Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Tourism,
Shri K.J. Alphons.
Over 400 delegates from across the country
attended the convention.
India Tourism East
A workshop on the ‘Issues related to GST for
Tourism & Hospitality Sector’ was organized
by the Indiatourism Bhubaneswar on 17th
August 2017 at Hotel Swosti Premium, in
collaboration with experts from NACEN
Bhubaneswar Zonal Campus. The event was
presided over by Shri J P Shaw, Regional
Director (East) and was attended by 60
participants from the travel trade of Odisha.
Meeting of Consultative Committee on
Tourism & Culture and meeting of Hindi
Salaahkaar Samiti were held on 10th July 2017
at ITC Sonar-Kolkata.
Both the meetings were presided over by the then
Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for
Tourism & Culture Dr Mahesh Sharma.
India Tourism West
On the occasion of World Tourism Day which
is celebrated on 27th September, Indiatourism
offices in western region organized Tourism Walks
and quizzes, essay and rangoli competitions for the
educational Institutes of Tourism and Hotel
Management for the students.
Indiatourism, Mumbai conducted
a Workshop on Goods and Services Tax (GST)
for the Tourism stakeholders comprising of
Hotels, Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Cruise
Tourism Operators, Domestic Tour Operators
etc. in Mumbai in order to sensitize and facilitate
the stakeholders of tourism & hospitality
industry.
Indiatourism, Mumbai alongwith its subordinate
Indiatourism offices in the Western & Central
region held various activity of Cleanliness Drive,
awareness generation workshops, sensitization
of stakeholders at various tourist attractions viz.
Elephanta Island, Juhu and Miramar Beaches,
Ajanta, Ellora, Kanheri Caves etc.
The local youth, members of the travel and
hospitality industry, students of hospitality and
travel institutes, guides, state tourism
departments, Archaeological Survey of India,
Indian Railways etc. were involved in the
activities.
India Tourism North
Indiatourism Delhi participated at the North
East Calling event which was held from 9th to
10th of September, 2017 at the India Gate
lawns.
A space of 100 sq. mt.s was hired by Ministry
of Tourism to showcase the Incredible North
East India products. An information counter
was set up for distribution of brochures & also
to provide information among the visitors.
Indiatourism Delhi set up an information
counter at the Global MICE Travel Mart held
at the Lalit, New Delhi from 14th to 16th of
September, 2017. B2B meetings were
conducted at the stall as per the fixed schedule
with the respective buyers at the event.
‘Swacchhta Hi Seva’ campaign was organized
by Indiatourism Delhi during the 15th
September to 02nd October, 2017 at different
locations.
India Tourism North- East
On the occasion of World Tourism Day
Indiatourism, Guwahati and Assam Tourism at
Dighalipukhuri on 27th November, 2017
organized a Cycle Rally.
Regional Director (NE) attended the conference
of Northeast Tourism Conclave 2017 Unveiling
Opportunities in Tourism- The way forward
Infrastructure, Destination, Capacity Building
and Rural Tourism Organised by Confederation
of Indian Industries (CII) on 16.9.2017.
Cleaning campaign was carried out during
Swachhta Hi Sewa at various places from 15th
September to 02nd October, 2017 by
Indiatourism, Guwahati and fields offices.
www.tourism.gov.in www.incredibleindia.org
24×7 Toll-free Tourist Helpline Number: 1800-11-1363 Short Code: 1363
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Edited by: MARKET RESEARCH DIVISION (Ministry of TOURISM)