Category Archives: MOT

Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General, Tourism, has informed that for promotions and campaigns currently, they are going to remain in the digital space. “It has a wide outreach at minimal cost. It creates an effective campaign and also in terms of user profile, most people these days prefer the digital space for getting information for bookings for looking at user generated reviews. Hence, we believe that this is a space that will create informational height for incredible India. There will be a lot more users in digital space and in terms of the content, there is so much diversity in the country that we will continue to bring the different offerings of India as we go along with the opening. Also, there is a lot of excitement within the travel industry as well,” she says.

After the completion of several infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister for Road, Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari said that people will be able to travel from Srinagar to Delhi in just eight hours in the future. He stated that the government is pursuing a number of important infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir that will improve regional connectivity. “The Srinagar-Katra-Delhi expressway is also under construction,” he said, adding that more people will visit Kashmir if the infrastructure is improved.

Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India, said that India is very rapidly moving on the issue of environment sustainability and the civil aviation sector is focusing on sustainability & net zero carbon emission which is the need of the hour. He also mentioned that 96 of India’s airports will be carbon neutral by 2024. India has been experimenting with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for two years where blended fuel has been used by some of the airlines. He highlighted the need for low-cost energy resources, to power the airport infrastructure, sustainable aviation fuel and fuel-efficient models, to encourage eco-friendliness and innovative solutions towards achieving carbon-neutrality.

Rupinder Brar, Additional DG, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India said “When we look at infrastructure there are two parts of the infrastructure that drives tourism, one is infrastructure in terms of making sure that the tourists facilities are there, but what also drives tourism is connectivity. we are working with the roads ministry to make sure that the last mile connectivity, the highways are in good shape for all of us to travel. I am happy to share that in India today, we have the second largest network of excellent quality roads and as we speak, every day in India 36km of national highways are being carried. So, I must say it is a fantastic time to do road travel in India”. 

Rupinder Brar, Additional DG, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, in an interview said that the Buddhist circuit in India has gained a massive boost with the addition of the Kushinagar airport, which is an airport with the capacity to receive international flights. “India now has 140 airports, and 20 of them are international airports. There will be a number of airports being added to India as we move forward” she added.

IHCL announced a framework to drive its sustainability and social impact measures under Paathya. Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India, G Kishan Reddy, said “Sustainable and responsible tourism is the way forward and the Government of India is already working in this direction. The government and the industry together are exploring ideas, solutions, and strategies to face the environmental and societal challenges. I applaud IHCL for its holistic approach of Paathya and for leading the path for the sector.”

Minister of Tourism, G. Kishan Reddy, said that his ministry will introduce ‘Medical’ visa which can be given for specific purpose to foreign travellers coming to India for medical treatment. ‘E-Medical Visa’ and ‘E-Medical Attendant Visa’ have also been introduced for travellers from 156 countries. The Ministry provides financial Assistance under its Market Development Assistance Scheme to medical tourism service providers accredited by National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) for participation in fairs, conferences, and roadshows.

In order to create a robust framework and synergy amongst the Central Government Ministries, State Governments, and Private Sector for promoting India as a Medical and Wellness Tourism destination, the Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism. To provide a dedicated institutional framework to take forward the cause of promotion of Medical Tourism, the Ministry of Tourism has constituted a National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board with the Minister of Tourism as its Chairman. As part of its ongoing activities, the Ministry of Tourism, releases global print, electronic and online media campaigns in important and potential markets overseas, under the ‘Incredible India’ brand line, to promote various tourism destinations and products of the country. Digital promotions are also regularly undertaken through the Social Media accounts of the Ministry on different themes including the theme of Medical Tourism. 

The development of Tourism is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. However, the Ministry of Tourism under its Swadesh Darshan scheme since its inception has sanctioned 76 projects under 13thematic circuits including ‘Buddhist theme’ for the development of tourism infrastructure in the country. The projects under the scheme were identified for development in consultation with the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations and sanctioned subject to availability of funds, submission of suitable detailed project reports, adherence to scheme guidelines and utilization of funds released earlier, etc. 

The Ministry of Tourism has invited final comments from the stakeholders on draft report for setting up of National Digital Tourism Mission. The draft report has also been published on website for suggestions and feedback from public. MOT had constituted an inter-ministerial task force for National Digital Tourism Mission on 23rd July, 2021. The Task Force has prepared a draft report on proposed National Digital Tourism Mission, which inter-alia lays down domain and technology principles, standards, digital stack, governance structure and plan for implementation of the envisaged National Digital Tourism Mission.