As per the estimates of 2nd Tourism Satellite Account of India (TSA) – 2009-10, the contribution of tourism in Employment of the country during 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 was 10.78 per cent, 11.49 per cent and 12.36 per cent, respectively. This information is not available for the subsequent years. Based on the information available with RBI, the estimated share of tourism in generating foreign exchange in the country during 2014, 2015 and 2016 is 3.56 per cent, 4.13 per cent and 4.51 per cent, respectively. Government of India has taken various steps to boost tourism in the country, which inter-alia include the following:
* Launched Hunar Se Rozgar Tak programme to train youth who are minimum 8th pass and in the age group of 18 to 28 years. The programme is intended to meet the skilled manpower requirement of the sector, as also to reach out the poor in the society to give them employable skills.
* E- Visa facility extended to citizens of 163 countries.
* The Incredible India 2.0 campaign launched with market specific promotional plans and content creation.
* 24×7 Toll Free Multi-Lingual Tourist Helpline 1800111363 launched in 12 International Languages including Hindi and English.
* Providing Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for development and promotion of tourism.
* Identification, diversification, development and promotion of Niche products like Cruise, Adventure, Medical, Wellness, Golf, Polo, Eco, Film and Meeting Incentives Conference and Exhibition (MICE).
This information was given by K. J. Alphons, Union Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism in a written reply in Rajya Sabha recently.
