What are the initiatives taken by the Indian government in the tourism and hospitality sector?

1. What are the initiatives taken by the Indian government in the tourism and hospitality sector?

The government of India has implemented the following initiatives:

The government is in the process of establishing 5 ports as hubs for tourism and hospitality. These are Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, Mangalore, and Kochi. There will be facilities at these airports, such as hospitality, retail, shopping, and restaurants.

200 minor ports for tourism and hospitality vessels to establish jetties tourism and hospitality policy will soon be enforced by the government.

2. What are the initiatives taken by the Indian government in the tourism and hospitality sector?

The following initiatives have been undertaken by GOI:

A new category of visa "Medical Visa" has been introduced by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government of India, which can be given for specific purpose to foreign tourists coming to India for medical treatment

The Ministry of tourism and hospitality has included the promotion of tourism and hospitality as new initiatives. The Marketing Development Assistance Scheme (MDA), administered by the Ministry of Tourism, the Government of India, provides financial support to approved tourism and hospitality service providers.   

To boost tourism and hospitality, the government today announced setting up of the National tourism and hospitality Board to provide help to those visiting the country for health care need. The Board, besides Ministry officials, will include other stakeholders such as hospitals, hoteliers, medical experts, and tour operators.

3. What are the initiatives taken by the Union Government to develop rural tourism in India?

The tourism and hospitality ministry has sanctioned INR 131 lakhs for the development of four rural tourism and hospitality sites. The states in which these sites are Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Tripura.

4. What are the government's initiatives under Lighthouses tourism and hospitality in India?

The Government of India has listed 78 lighthouses in the country as tourism and hospitality centers, which are under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in the first level. The lighthouses found are on the islands of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Andaman, and Nicobar. Under the public-private-partnership model for lighthouses, the Government of India began the 'lighthouse tourism and hospitality project by inviting initial qualification bids to build eight lighthouses in the first phase, at a cost of INR 128 crore.

5. What is the difference between Prasad Scheme and the 'Spiritual Circuit' under Swadesh Darshan Scheme?

The Prasad Scheme focuses on the growth and beautification of the destinations identified for pilgrimage. Whereas in the 'Spiritual Circuit' defined under the Swadesh Darshan system, the emphasis is on developing a specific thematic circuit in a State and Union Territory consisting of different religious/spiritual destinations.

6. What is Prasad Scheme?

The Ministry of tourism and hospitality provides State Government/Union Territory Administrations with Central Financial Assistance (CFA) under the Prasad Scheme for the growth and beautification of the pilgrimage destinations listed. Thirteen sites for development were listed under the PRASAD scheme, namely: Amritsar, Ajmer, Dwarka, Mathura, Varanasi, Gaya, Puri, Amaravati, Kanchipuram, Vellankanni, Kedarnath, Kamakhya, and Patna. In the 2017-18 Union Budget INR, 100 crores for Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD scheme) was allocated.

7. What is Swadesh Darshan Scheme?

The Ministry of tourism and hospitality provides State Government/Union Territory Administrations with Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for infrastructure creation of circuits under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. Thirteen thematic circuits were identified under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, namely: North-East India Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, and Heritage Circuit, for growth. Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, 959.91 crores was allocated in the Union Budget 2017-18 for the Integrated Construction of Tourist Circuits around unique themes.

8. What are the Foreign Direct Investment policies for the tourism & hospitality sector?

100% Foreign Direct Investment is allowed under the automatic route in tourism and hospitality 100% Foreign Direct Investment allowed in tourism and hospitality construction projects, including the development of hotels, resorts, and recreational facilities.  

9. What are the different rates of an average hotel tariff or convenience lodging in India?

The GST rates applicable to accommodation in hotels, inns, guest houses, clubs, campsites or other places of business intended for residential or accommodation purposes will depend on the value of the unit's supply, i.e. the tariff declared by the respective accommodation establishment per day for the unit. Tariff value of less than Rs.1000-Nil Tariff value of Rs.1000 and above but less than Rs. 2500 or equivalent-12 percent GST Tariff value of Rs.2500 and above but less than Rs.7500 or equivalent-18 percent GST Tariff value of Rs.7500 or above-28 percent GST value of Rs.7500 or above-28 percent GST value of Rs.

10. What GST rates will be applicable for travel by air?

The GST rates applicable to air tariffs are as below: 1. Travel by economy class - 5 % 2. Travel by other than economy class - 12 %

11. What is the minimum eligibility for sponsorship of events having potential for promotion of tourism to and/or within India?

The Ministry of tourism and hospitality is calling for proposals to promote cultural activities, music, dance, literature, sports, cinema, and other activities that have the ability or ability to draw significant numbers of national and foreign tourists. The expenditure should be 1 crore. Support for these programs will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Based on the potential for the promotion of tourism and hospitality and the benefits it would provide for the promotion of the Amazing Indian brand, subject to the following basic requirements of minimum eligibility:

• The event to be promoted can take place either in India or abroad.
• The event should have been in operation for the past five years or should have been completed by at least 5 editions as of 31.12.2013 and should be accompanied by a Chartered Accountant certificate to this effect.
• The overall expenditure for each edition of the event should be at least INR 1.00 crore, backed by the audited expenditure statements for the last five years.