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Medical Tourism is one of the growing segments of travel into India. The percentage of Foreign Tourist Arrivals visiting India for Medical Treatment increased from 2.2% in 2009 to 2.7% in 2010. No study has been commissioned to assess the impact of super-bug report on this sector.

There are no specific inputs which suggest that immigration rules are discouraging foreign patients from coming to India for medical treatment.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Tourism Shri Sultan Ahmed in a written reply to Shri Baishnab Parida.

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Ministry of Tourism compiles monthly estimates of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) and Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE) from tourism on the basis of data received from major airports. Following are the important highlights regarding FTAs and FEE from tourism in India during the month of April 2012.

Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) during the Month of April, 2012 was 4.52 lakh as compared to FTAs of 4.38 lakh during the month of April, 2011 and 3.72 lakh in April, 2010. There has been a growth of 3.3% in April 2012 over March 2011. Lower growth in April 2012 is also partly due to high base growth rate in April 2011 over April 2010. Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) during the period January-April 2012 were 24.34 lakh with a growth of 8.3% as compared to the FTAs of 22.47 lakh with a growth of 12.1% during January-February 2011 over the corresponding period of 2010.

Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE) during the month of April 2012 were Rs. 6745 crore as compared to Rs. 5724 crore in April 2011 and Rs 4518 crore in April 2010. The growth rate in FEE in rupee terms in April 2012 over April 2011 were 17.8.% as compared to 26.7.% in April 2011 over April 2010. FEE from tourism in terms during January-April 2012 were 31713 crore with a growth of 28.5% as compared to the FEE of 24676 crore with a growth of 10.8% during January-April 2011 over the corresponding period of 2010. FEE in US$ terms during the month of April 2012 were US$ 1305 million as compared to FEE of US$ 1290 million during the month of April 2011 and US$ 1013 million in April 2010. The growth rate in FEE in US$ terms in April 2012 over April 2011 was 1.2% as compared to the growth of 27.3% in April 2011 over April 2010. FEE from tourism in terms of US$ during January-April 2012 US$ 6274 million with a growth of 14.6% as compared to US$ 5474 million with a growth of 12.4% during January-April, over the corresponding period of 2010.

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The Vice Minister for Tourism, Transportation and Land Infrastructure of Japan, Mr. Ken Kuda calling on the Union Minister for Tourism, Shri Subodh Kant Sahai, in New Delhi.

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            Union Tourism Minister Shri Subodh Kant Sahai has called for strengthening cooperation in tourism sector between India and Japan. He said this when the Vice Minister for Tourism of Japan Mr. Ken Kuda called on him in New Delhi today. The Minister said both the countries have tremendous scope to develop tourism infrastructure with mutual help. Recalling the age old historic and cultural ties between both the nations Shri Sahai said it would be appropriate if we strengthen our ties by promoting bilateral tourism. He suggested signing of an MoU for setting up a joint working group on tourism cooperation between India and Japan. While appreciating the assistance extended by Japan in developing Buddhist circuit in India, Shri Sahai suggested inclusion of Bodhgaya in the same.

The Japanese leader expressed the hope that more and more tourists from both the sides will visit each other’s country. Mr. Kude said both the countries have potential to strengthen bilateral ties by promoting tourism. He said tourism can be linked with overall cooperation between both the countries.

Shri Sahai recalled his visit to Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan in February this year and said that Japan is an important source market for Indian Tourism with tremendous in bound tourism potential. Shri Sahai said India received more than 1,68,000 tourists from Japan during 2011. The Tourism Minister suggested that the two countries can promote an exchange programme wherein the tour operators can visit the each other’s country to understand the true tourism potential. Shri Sahai was of the view that golf and wellness tourism promoted by India can be of great interest to Japanese tourists.

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The Union Tourism Minister, Shri Subodh Kant Sahai addressing at the 7th National Quality Conclave of Quality Council of India on “Improving Quality of Public Services- The Role of Public and Private Sectors”, in New Delhi.

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Union Tourism Minister. Shri Subodh Kant Sahai said that in the North-Eastern region, because of the fragility of habitat and society, it is niche kind of community based tourism which will succeed and will be “sustainable and not the five star tourism or mass tourism because that can permanently damage the habitat and the society of these innocent people living in this beautiful part of the country. Shri Sahai was speaking after releasing two books titled Sustainable Tourism Development of Nagaland” and “ Tourism Potential of North-East” written by Dr. DK Bhalla, IAS, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs, here today.

Shri Sahai said of late in most of the countries, there has been increasing demand for a broader perspective on the facts of tourism that go beyond any physical impact on natural environment and includes the consideration of how poorer sections of the community can obtain more benefit from tourism. He said this has been matched by a growing awareness amongst tourists that a non inclusive attitude towards local people is no longer sustainable. The Tourism Minister said if the anticipated growth in tourism can be managed wisely, then it can be used to alleviate poverty, promote sustainable and equitable development. Shri Sahai said “It is in this backdrop that these two books by the Author Dr. DK Bhalla has a lot of relevance”.

Shri Sahai said that he is fully aware and agree with the author that North-Eastern region of India is almost another world and a place of magical beauty and bewildering diversity. He said “that it is a land of myths and mysteries, folklore and legends and of many tender dreams. The region is unique with more than 150 tribes speaking as many languages. This is the only place in the world where primitive culture of Neolithic age co-exists with the modern life style. It is a paradise for travelers”.

Shri Sahai noted that Dr. Bhalla has not only talked about the need and potential of tourism in North-East but has explained the concept of sustainability very well and given in detail the case studies as well as strategies for development of tourism in his own State of Nagaland as well as the rest of North-East. The Tourism Minister expressed the hope that this will be appreciated by a wide variety of readers, tourists, tourism marketeers and variety of research institutions and tourism institutes.

The urgent need for tourism development is known to all but the sustainability of tourism development is more hyped about but less practiced concept. This is what the author has worked very hard to bring about in these books. He has critically examined the characteristics and potential of sustainable tourism development in North-East in general and in the State of Nagaland in particular. He has not only examined the concept of sustainable tourism but has also seen it in the context of sustainable development.

The second book by the author discusses the potential of the tourism in the North East India which is unbound. Besides the culture, history and prospects of social development in the North East, the author has discussed the community based tourism, policy planning and development in the States falling in the North East region. Ecological and sustainable tourism development in these States include visiting lofty mountains, turbulent rivers, deep gorges, flora and fauna, river water rafting, hiking and ethno biological tours with a view to taking care of health related problems.

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The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Dr. C.P. Joshi, the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Culture, Kum. Selja, the Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Bhupinder Singh Hooda and the Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Tusharbhai Chaudhary, at the dedication ceremony of the first RFID Technology based electronic Toll Collection Plaza & four-lane Zirakpur-Parwanoo NH-5 section to the Nation, at Chandimandir distt. Panchkula, Haryana.

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Dr. CP Joshi, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways today dedicated to the nation country’s first RFID Technology Based Electronic Toll collection Plaza at Chandimandir, Punchkula (Haryana) and four-laned Zirakpur-Parwanoo section of NH-5 in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Joshi said that this is the high time to make coordinated efforts by Central and State Governments to fulfill the dream of making India a developed nation. He said that a qualitative infrastructure development is a must for the growth of the country. Dr. Joshi said that Government of India has given thrust on infrastructure development in 11th and forthcoming 12th Five Year Plans with a view to increase national GDP. He said that central government is committed to facilitate the common man by providing new technology and better road transportation facility.

Referring about the new RFID Toll Plaza, he said that all the highways in the country will be provided RFID technique, which helps users to make payment without stopping at toll plazas and reduces traffic congestion and commuting time. Toll Statements can also be made available on line to the road users and they need not have to stop for receipt. He said that besides satisfying functional requirements, it is the cheapest mode for collection.

Dr. Joshi further informed that National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has completed the projects of 491 km. roads costing Rs. 1913 crore in Haryana, 357 km. roads worth Rs. 1419 crore in Punjab and 5 km worth Rs. 50 crore in Himachal Pradesh. The projects under implementation are 969 km. of Rs. 5962 crore in Haryana, 645 km. of Rs. 4791 crore in Punjab and 124 kms. of Rs. 1994 crore in Himachal Pradesh. The projects of 508 km worth Rs. 3574 crore in Haryana, 454 km worth Rs. 3301 crore in Punjab and 204 km worth Rs. 3664 crore have also been awarded to NHAI.

Dr. Joshi assured compliance of the balance projects of Rohtak-Hisar, Ambala-Kaithal, Kaithal-Rajasthan border, Hisar-Dabwali in Haryana; Jalandhar-Amritsar, Ludhiana-Chandigarh, Sri Gangananagar-Amritsar, Jalandhar-Haryana border in Punjab; and Parwanoo-Solan, Solan-Shimla, Ner Chowk-Manali in Himachal Pradesh soon after the scrutiny of technical aspects of these projects.

On the occasion, Union Minister for Culture and HUPA, Kum. Selja said that highway development is a flagship programme of Government of India and Central Government is committed to provide uninterrupted road connectivity in all parts of the country. She also urged Dr. Joshi to exempt the daily commuters of peripheral area from toll tax at the newly setup toll plaza. She demanded highway at Yamunanagar-Saha section in Haryana and a mega circuit project to boost the economy of this region by encouraging tourism.

Shri Prakash Singh Badal, Chief Minister of Punjab and Shri Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Chief Minister of Haryana conveyed their gratitude to the Union Minister for connecting Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh with the new Himalayan Express Way from Zirakpur to Parwanoo section. Shri Randeep Singh Surjewala, PWD Minister Haryana also highlighted the issues of construction of new flyovers and underpasses in Haryana. Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Dr. Tushar A. Choudhary was also present on the occasion.

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Mayor Bloomberg and The Muppets

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New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and NYC & Company,New York City’s tourism and marketing organization, announced that the Muppets will return to New York City in 2012 as the official NYC Family Ambassadors. The announcement was made at The Official NYC Information Center in midtown Manhattan, where Mayor Bloomberg was joined by NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta,Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Gonzo the Great and Pepe the King Prawn.

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The Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Pawan Chamling meeting the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia for finalizing plan for 2012-13 for the State, in New Delhi.

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The Annual Plan for the year 2012-13 for the state of Sikkim was finalised here today at a meeting between Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Mr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Sikkim,Shri Pawan Chamling. The plan size has been agreed at Rs. 1877 crore. This includes Rs 377 crore as part of the Prime Minister’s package for reconstruction of infrastructure damaged in recent earthquake.

In his comments of the performance of the State, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Mr Ahluwalia appreciated the development efforts and pointed that the human development indicators were among the best in the country. He said the growth in agriculture during eleventh plan was better than the national average. The Government was also appreciated for giving priority to organic farming, horticulture and floriculture.

On plan performance, it was pointed that the GSDP at Constant Prices rose from Rs. 173932 lakhs in 2004-05 to Rs. 334311 Lakhs in 2009-10 and likely to increase to the level of Rs. 364218 Lakhs in 2010-11 showing an annual growth of 8.95 percent. Likewise the Per Capita GSDP at constant prices rose from Rs. 30730 in 2004-05 to Rs. 55441 in 2009-10 and likely to increase to the level of Rs. 59806 in 2010-11 showing an annual growth of 7.87 percent.

Mr. Ahluwalia said tourism is the largest service sector with high growth potential and has attained the top priority sector due to its vast spinoff effects contributing to the overall development through sustained fiscal receipts and employment generation. Sikkim endowed with unparallel natural beauty, clean environment and picturesque location is one of the most potential State for tourism sector to flourish. In Sikkim, tourism has attained a consistent growth. The proactive tourism vision of the State Government, insurgency free environment and friendly people has been one of the major factors in upsurge of tourism in the state.

The general trends in rural development over the last two decades indicate that human development indicators like literacy, life expectancy, infant mortality, access to health, sanitation and rural infrastructure like roads, bridges, electricity, water, toilets, houses, school, hospitals, telecommunication etc. has been increasingly universalized. However there is a declining trend in terms of relative contribution of agricultural sector to the economy and also as an employer.

Briefing the Commission, the Chief Minister said that over the past two decades, the state has adopted the path of sustainable development. It is the policy of the Government to develop rural areas of Sikkim at par with towns and cities by providing all basic and modern amenities and sustainable employment opportunities in rural areas with a vision to develop Sikkim as an eco-city State.

He said the recent earthquake has caused massive damage to the infrastructure and the Development process of Sikkim has suffered a major setback and programmes can only be successful with liberal financial assistance from the Government of India in the 12th Five Year Plan and particularly in the Annual Plan 2012-13.

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                             With the Ministry of tourism  targeting over 12 % growth rate in in-bound as well as domestic tourists, it has been projected that tourism sector will generate additional jobs of about 2.5 crore, both direct and indirect, during the 12th Fiver year Plan. This was stated by Union Minister for Tourism Shri Subodh Kant Sahaiwhile presenting National Awards for excellence in hospitality education for the year 2010-11, here today. He said the direct employment in hospitality sector will also be substantial. Shri Sahai said Employment related to hospitality trades alone would be around 36 lakhs. The Minister informed the gathering that hospitality industry needs about 2 lakh trained persons every year but the supply is just about 18000 persons, which gets further reduced to about 12000 persons after adjusting an attrition of about 30 to 35 %.  Shri Sahai said, “As per our estimate, by the close of the Eleventh Plan, our efforts to expand the institutional infrastructure and broad-basing of hospitality education through Universities, Colleges, ITIs, Polytechnics and Schools is expected to increase the supply of trained persons in a major way.”

            The Tourism Minister said  Central Government, on its part, has been actively trying to bridge the skilled manpower shortage by setting up more govt. sponsored IHMs and FCIs, broad-basing training & education through the aegis of   Universities, ITIs, Colleges, Polytechnics, PSUs, Schools etc., establishing short-term hospitality courses, upgrading the skills of existing as well as aspiring service providers through “Hunar SeRozgaar” programme, skills testing & certification of the existing service providers. Shri Sahai said, “This will be a significant improvement but would still not be enough.  In any case, given the fact that the Industry engages about 5 million persons generating huge revenues, much of the efforts and resources for creating world class hospitality service will have to come from within the Industry.”

            The Union Tourim Minister said the efforts of the Central Govt., though important, have to be necessarily supplementary and catalytic  and here, our IHMs and FCIs have to raise themselves to the level of Institutes of excellence to spur and stimulate similar efforts in the Private Sector. He said, “ I therefore urge the Institutes to make earnest effort to raise their standards so as to be acceptable internationally, to become model institutes.  The Ministry will always be there for you in its supportive role.”

            Referring to the  encouraging trends in International and Domestic tourism Shri Subodh Kant Sahaisaid tourism is now being recognized as one of the key drivers of growth and employment generation in the country. He said the contribution of tourism to the GDP is estimated to be more than 9%.

            The Minister referred to an independent study carried out by his Ministry  to identify major gaps that existed in terms of infrastructure and service delivery at major tourist destinations. He said this study concluded that, for both the foreign and domestic tourist, the lack of Hygiene and Sanitary conditions in and around monuments/ destinations, poor Solid Waste Management around the monuments/destinations and absence of hygienically maintained public amenities like Toilets were the key factors that were impeding our efforts to catapult India as a leading tourist destination. Shri Subodh Kant said,“Campaign Clean India” is aimed to undertake both sensitization and action at field level on bringing our tourism destinations and their surroundings to an acceptable level of cleanliness and hygiene. He said the objective is also to ensure that these levels are sustained through ownership and involvement of private and public sector stakeholders. Shri Sahai said, “TheIHMs and FCIs are expected to play a leading role in setting standards of cleanliness in and around monuments for all other educational institutions to follow.”

            Shri Subodh Kant said in order to preserve, propagate, research, document and patent the numerous hues of the Indian cuisines through an institutional mechanism, the Ministry of Tourism has already initiated steps for the setting up of the Indian Culinary Institute with six of its centres across the country.

            The National Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Education (2010-11) were presented in three categories i.e. awards to the students, awards to  the teaching faculty and awards to the Institutes.

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                          Ministry of Tourism continued its efforts to develop quality tourism infrastructure at tourist destinations and circuits across the country. According to the Annual Report of the Ministry of Tourism for the year 2011-12 released here today, the Ministry has sanctioned 160 tourism projects for an amount of Rs. 710.02 crore for tourism infrastructure augmentation to States/UTs upto 31st December, 2011. The Ministry has given special focus on development of important destinations/circuits through sanction of mega projects. Mega tourism projects are a judicious mix of culture, heritage, spiritual and eco tourism and aim to give tourists a holistic experience. As on 29.02.2012, the Ministry has identified 53 mega tourism projects in consultation with State Governments, out of which 35 have been sanctioned.

The Ministry holds prioritization meetings with State Governments/ UT Administrations before the beginning of a financial year to identify tourism projects for Central Financial assistance in the coming financial year. For the year 2012-13, the process of prioritization meetings was started in December 2011 and upto February16th, 2012 meeting with 21 States/UTs were held. While prioritizing the projects, adequate emphasis is given on projects involving construction and upkeep of wayside amenities along highways/roads leading to tourist destinations, cleanliness at tourism sites and development of tourism in backward areas. 2.5% of Ministry’s total plan outlay for 2011-12 has been earmarked for development of tourism in tribal areas. This is an addition to the 10% outlay earmarked for the North-Eastern States.

Ministry of Tourism organised an All-India workshop on December 20, 2011 to evolve strategies for launching a Campaign Clean India. Based on the recommendations made in the workshop, the Ministry will shortly launch the Campaign Clean India aimed at creating collective mindsets of hygiene and cleanliness through persuasion, education, sensitization, training, demonstration and regulation.

In October 2011, Standing Operating Procedure was laid down giving timeliness for specific activities for classification/reclassification of hotels under different star categories. Further, to increase transparency in classification/reclassification activities, from January 2012 the Ministry has introduced a system for making available the status of pending applications on its website.

The outcome of the Visa on Arrival scheme introduced in January 2010 has been encouraging with 12,761 persons having availed of this facility in 2011. The Ministry is making efforts to extend this facility to nationals of more countries.

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Himachal Pradesh has been conferred National Tourism Award for its exemplary performance in Tourism Sector and with this honour, the State gets its 57th award for its performance during last four years.

Smt. Pratibha Patil, President of India presented the award to Smt. Manisha Nanda, Principal Secretary Tourism and Dr. Arun Kumar, Director, Tourism in an impressive ceremony at New Delhi today. Shri Subodh Kant Sahay, Union Minister for Tourism, Members of Parliament, Senior Officers of Government of India and other prominent persons were present on the occasion.

Chief Minister lauded the contribution of the officers and officials of the Tourism department. Dr. Arum Kumar, Director, Tourism said that the State was adjudged best for publishing publicity material of good quality besides best performance in tourism sector.

He said that the tourism department had published a table book ‘Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai’ for the first time which provided a peep into the historical and cultural heritage of Shimla, natural and religious tourists places besides famous folklores of the State which became popular among the tourists.

He said that Himachal Pradesh was the first State to produce an Electronic Brochure to guide the International tourists and added that the award was conferred upon the State for successful implementation of various tourism schemes.

He said that the tourism sector was contributing ten percent to the State GDP. He said that the folklores of Shimla had been complied by local experts and booklets had been published under ‘Har Gaon Ki Kahani’ to make people aware about various areas of the State.

Dr. Arun Kumar said that infrastructure in tourism sector was being strengthened by associating it with MNREGA and other programmes and added that State Government was making efforts to project ‘ Brand Himachal’ at national level.

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President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, will be presenting the National Level ‘Best Tourism Promotion Award’ to the State of Himachal Pradesh in a prestigious prize distribution function being organized by the Union Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation at Vidyan Bhawan, New Delhi tomorrow, February 29, 2012 and will be received by Smt. Manisha Nanda, Principal Secretary Tourism and Dr. Arun Sharma, Director of Tourism and Civil Aviation on behalf of the people of Himachal Pradesh.

An official spokesman of the State Government revealed it here today that the National Level Award was being awarded for the quality production of tourism promotion literature, print media and electronic media which had contributed significantly in attracting the attention of tourists towards India, especially to Himachal Pradesh. ‘Har Ghar Kuchh Kehta Hai’, Har Gaon Ki Kahani’, ‘ Monal’ quarterly departmental magazine, other quality literature on different tourism activities and promotion capsule on electronic channel ‘Unforgettable Himachal’ had been considered as best promoters in giving boost to tourism in the State. Introduction of ‘Home Stay’ Scheme had motivated nature lovers to turn to villages to experience traditional Himachali hospitality and local cuisines.

‘Har Ghar Kuchh Kehta Hai’ had created curiosity amongst the foreigners, especially Britishers, whose forefathers had resided during pre-independence era in erstwhile Summer Capital, Shimla, to visit the town and houses to see for themselves the houses their ancestors had resided. ‘Har Gaon Ki Kahani’ scheme reveals historical and religious importance of the villages besides others associated with some important event centuries ago. With the addition of one more National Level Award in Tourism, State would get motivated to give new dimensions to tourism promotion in the State top make Himachal Pradesh ‘Unforgettable Himachal’ in real sense.

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Union Tourism Minister, Shri Subodh Kant Sahai, has urged the people to join clean India campaign in large numbers. Inaugurating the 3-D show related to the campaign at India Gate in New Delhi , the Minister said that every section of the society should join this campaign to promote India as a major tourist destination.

Shri Sahai said students and young people should come out in large numbers to promote the message of clean India. He said that 3-D show being held today should be organized in other parts of the country. A large number of school children also attended the show.

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Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) during the Month of December, 2011 was 7.15 lakh as compared to FTAs of 6.80 lakh during the month of December, 2010 and 6.16 lakh in December, 2009. There has been a growth of 5.2% in December, 2011 over December, 2010 as compared to a growth of 10.4 % registered in December 2010 over December, 2009. The growth rate of 5.2% in December 2011 is higher than 4.7% growth rate observed in November, 2011. FTAs in India during 2011 were 6.29 million with a growth of 8.9% as compared to the FTAs of 5.78 million with a growth of 11.8% during the year 2010 over 2009. The growth rate of 8.9 % in 2011 for India is better than UNWTO’s projected growth rate of 4% to 5% for the world in 2011 and 7% to 9% for Asia and the Pacific.

Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE) during the month of December 2011 were Rs. 8870 crore as compared to Rs. 7039 crore in December 2010 and Rs 7042 crore in December 2009. The growth rate in FEE in Rs terms in December 2011 over December 2010 was 26.% as compared to no growth in December 2010 over December 2009. FEE from tourism in rupee terms during 2011 were Rs.77591 crore with a growth of 19.6%, as compared to the FEE of Rs. 64889 crore with a growth of 18.1% during the year 2010 over 2009. FEE in US$ terms during the month of December 2011 were US$ 1688 million as compared to FEE of US$ 1558 million during the month of December 2010 and US$ 1510 million in December 2009. The growth rate in FEE in US$ terms in December 2011 over December 2010 was 8.3% as compared to the growth of 3.2 % in Decemmber 2010 over December 2009. FEE from tourism in terms of US$ during 2011 were US$ 16564 million with a growth of 16.7%, as compared to US$ 14193 million with a growth of 24.6 % during the year 2010 over 2009.

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The former President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam lighting the lamp at the All India workshop on Campaign Clean India to create awareness about hygiene and cleanliness at tourist destinations and monuments, organized by the Ministry of Tourism, in New Delhi. The Union Tourism Minister, Shri Subodh Kant Sahai is also seen.

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The Hospitality and Tourism Industry requires convergence of efforts for achieving the targeted delivery. The Ministry of Tourism has constantly worked towards facilitating this convergence. Presiding over the All-India Workshop organised by Ministry of Tourism on Campaign Clean India in New Delhi today Union Minister for Tourism, Shri Subodh Kant Sahai said that cleanliness and proper hygiene are universally regarded as indispensable existential norms that must inform and permeate all our actions. However, a consciousness in terms of education, demonstration and training is required to be created to ensure that these norms become part of a national psyche, at home and outside it. He said conversely, lack of or inadequate personal and environmental cleanliness will have a pull-down impact on the image-India, the worst hit being the tourism sector where the first impression of a visitor is often his last. The Minister said Ministry of Tourism will therefore visualise and look for an India that impacts a visitor, to begin with, for its cleanliness and hygiene.

The Tourism Minister said workshop has brought together individuals and institutions representing varied interests. Their quest is common however – to see India clean. The Workshop will hopefully see the emergence of action groups, each with a clear functional mandate. It should create cleanliness-activists amongst students. Shri Sahai said that the pro-active commitment of regulatory bodies in the campaign is a must. He urged the Media to promote the campaign on a regular basis. Shri Subodh Kant said the success of this campaign is crucial to achieving the targeted growth rate of 12% in in-bound and domestic tourists arrivals during the 12th Plan. He said achievement of this growth will call for quality facilities and infrastructure. It will also call for an ambience that is clean and friendly to the tourists.

The Union Tourism Minister said the cleanliness task will be onerous. He said an independent study, conducted at five tourist destinations, has categorized hygiene and sanitation conditions, solid waste management and provision of hygienically maintained public amenities high in importance but low in satisfaction. The Campaign will be expected to correct these weaknesses. Shri Sahai said the success of Campaign may well decide if the targeted growth specific to tourism would be achieved. This ultimately gets connected to job creations. The campaign is, therefore, taken as a poverty alleviation strategy too.

The Tourism Minister informed the gathering that his Ministry will finalize and plan the campaign strategy, incorporating the Workshop recommendations, by 31st March, 2012. The implementation will start from 1st April, 2012.Importance of the campaign has been flagged to the Planning Commission and hopefully the Ministry Of Tourism may not be found wanting in offering institutional support and funds that the campaign may need, the Minister added .

Inaugurating the workshop former President, Shri A.P.J.Abdul Kalam said that clean environment empowers the societies. He called for converting the fly ash wealth generator for clean environment Shri Kalam suggested that cleanliness drive should be extended to worship places as large number of people gather there. He also suggested the involvement of their students in large numbers in prevention of indiscriminate dumping and better location of garbage collection points. Referring to the Maldives model of tourism Shri Kalam said India can study this model and evolve a total package of turn key tourist systems to be developed by tourist system partners which should include maintenance and upkeep of tourist destinations. The former President also suggested involvement of village panchayats and local self bodies in the campaign.

Former Union Minister and former Member of Parliament Shri Shatrughan Sinha and noted cine actor from South, Shri Chiranjivi in their address offered their whole-hearted support to the campaign. They said their services are at the disposal of Ministry of Tourism to carry forward the message of clean India.

The “Campaign Clean India” is aimed to undertake both sensitization and action at field level on bringing our tourism destinations and their surroundings to an acceptable level of cleanliness and hygiene. The objective is also to ensure that these levels are sustained through ownership and involvement of private and public sector stakeholders. The campaign will be part of Government’s strategy of the 12th five year plan for improving the quality of services and environs in and around tourist destinations across India.

The mission of the Ministry Of Tourism will be to build up an effort that relentlessly sensitizes the people at large to the reality that their own well being is inalienably connected to a healthy sustenance of the milieu that they are part of, including their neighbourhood, their mohalla, their city and finally their country; that the filth and squalor without will eventually get reflected within. Cleanliness though is every one’s mandate, the Ministry Of Tourism will yet appear justified in taking the lead to that end, almost as of duty, for a clean-India is a pre-requisite to achieving the targeted growth of tourism. A time indeed has come to back up the universally conveyed sentiment ‘Athithi Devo Bhawah’ with results on the ground lest it is dubbed a mere rhetoric. Clean India will be a gigantic task. However, no amount of resource investment can achieve it unless we have a collective mindset that abhors unclean. The approach will have to be comprehensive and inclusive. It will have to involve every strata of the society, people of every age, Institutions on a wide spectrum – schools, colleges, NGOs, professional bodies and the governments. The effort in its totality will aim at helping people to evolve from their casual concern for cleanliness to an abiding commitment, to a passion, eventually to a mindset that will not suffer and endure un-cleanliness.

The Ministry Of Tourism will constitute a Steering Group under Secretary Tourism to take the Campaign forward. The Group will have on it important agencies in the field, such as Sulabh International. The workshop has been organized to hold wider consultations on the campaign, strategize the campaign as people’ programme, to strive for a synergy of efforts with other Ministries concerned, State Governments, Industry and corporate, other institutions / interested individuals and Schools/ colleges / private institutes, to secure the support and commitment of the regulatory agencies to the campaign, such as the Police and Municipalities to develop implementable program of action and to give the campaign the desired visibility and momentum by taking the media on board

The Workshop has participants representing possible action groups on a wide sweep including students, teachers, parent-teacher associations, NGOs, INTACH, Sulabh International, professional bodies, clubs of repute, hotels, hotel associations, MNCs, Banks Adventure Clubs, Adventure Tour Operators, Tour Operators, Domestic Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Transport, Operators, Tourist Guides Federation of India , Representative Associations, media persons, film personalities, travel media, DAVP, print media, TV Channels, Archaeological Survey of India, Municipalities, Police, State Governments, Central Ministries, etc. The workshop has been divided into five groups : Academic Group, Group of Institutional Volunteers, Travel Trade Group, Corporate Group and Media Group.

In the year 2009, the Ministry conducted an independent study to identify major gaps that existed in terms of infrastructure and service delivery at major tourist destinations. Five destinations having substantial tourist footfalls were selected for the study. In the study, various infrastructure and service related attributes were categorized based on their perceived level of importance and satisfaction levels. The study concluded that both for foreign and domestic tourist, the key factors that were categorized as low in satisfaction and high in importance included , Hygiene and Sanitation conditions in and around the monuments/ destinations, Solid Waste Management around the monuments/destinations, and absence of hygienically maintained public amenities like Toilets

The Ministry of Tourism has all along been alive to and seized of this problem. It has been undertaking a major domestic social awareness media campaign under the brand of “Atithi Devo Bhawah”. Shri Aamir Khan, Film Actor is the Brand Ambassador of the campaign since the year 2008. The campaign is being run on Television channels, FM Radio channels, print and internet media under various themes. These include “campaign against defacement of monuments” and “Hygiene, sanitation and solid waste management”. The campaign has been well received and effective in sensitizing the domestic stakeholders on these issues.

However, it was felt that the social awareness campaign though a step forward was not enough to meet the magnitude and pervasiveness of the problem of lack of hygiene and cleanliness. The need was to put in a comprehensive strategy, in consultation and partnership with the key stakeholders, providing for multi pronged action. Hence, the Campaign Clean India has been proposed.

The campaign will aim at creating a collective mindset of hygiene and cleanliness. It will employ a balance of persuasion, education, sensitization, training, demonstration and regulation for achieving its goal. The approach will be comprehensive and inclusive. It will involve every strata of the society, people of every age, Institutions on a wide spectrum – schools, colleges, NGOs, professional bodies and the governments.

Union Railway Minister, Shri Dinesh Trivedi, Minister of State for Tourism, Shri Sultan Ahmed, Smt. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister, Delhi, and Shri Ravi Kishan, Cine actor also spoke on the occasion.

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