National Conference of Tourism Ministers concludes

The one-day National Conference of Tourism Ministers organized by Union Ministry of Tourism was concluded successfully in New Delhi. It was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Tourism & Culture (Independent Charge) Prahlad Singh Patel and was attended by State Tourism Ministers of 19 States, Secretaries of Tourism and senior officials from States and Union Territories (UTs). Participants deliberated on various issues related to development and promotion of Tourism.

Key Highlights of Conference

Tourism Minister handed over 3 new Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and 5 new Letters of Intent (LoIs) to prospective Monument Mitras at conference.

Presentations were given by State Governments of Kerala and Sikkim showcasing their best practices in tourism sector.

Tourism Minister urged all states and UTs-

For better coordination between Centre and States to increase number of tourists in India and to make concerted efforts to realise Prime Minister’s dream of doubling tourists, both foreign and domestic over next 5 years.

To follow norms of UNESCO while making proposals for Heritage site of their sites with help of ASI.

To focus on adventure tourism to attract more tourists in this sector as India has great potential in its natural sites

Various Initiatives Launched-

Incredible India Portal: At the conference Hindi version of new Incredible India portal was launched by Tourism Minister. The Arabic, Chinese and Spanish versions of new Incredible India website will be launched in September 2019. The new Incredible India website was launched on 14 June 2018 and since then the website has attracted 85,84,928 total visitors including 65,31,722 Unique Visitors (as on 31 July 2019).

Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification (IITFC) portal: This IITFC Programme is a digital initiative of Union Ministry of Tourism for citizens of India to become a part of booming Tourism Industry. IITFC is an online programme where anyone can learn about tourism at their own time, pace, path and space. The successful completion of this programme would enable learner to become a Certified Tourist Facilitator of Union Ministry of Tourism.

Discussions were held with States and UTs to get their inputs and feedback on following areas-

1. Developing an all-encompassing One Stop Solution including information on tourism related services through a web based application and a Grievance Redressal Mechanism through Twitter and Tourist-Helpline
2. Adoption of Adventure Tourism and Bed & Breakfast or Homestay Scheme Guidelines by States or Uts
3. Status of projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan & PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) Schemes and implementation of Public Financial Management System (PFMS).

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2019