Tourism Statistics:

• Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) during January – November 2018 were 93,67,424 as compared to 88,67,963 in January – November 2017 (5.6% growth).
• During January – November 2018, 20,61,511 tourists arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 14,56,615 during January – November 2017 (41.5% growth).
• Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) during January – October 2018 were Rs. 1,58,846 Crore as compared to Rs. 1,41,965 Crore in January – October 2017 (11.9% growth).
• During 2017, the number of Domestic Tourist Visits to the States/UTs was 1652.5 million as compared as 1615.4 million in 2016, showing growth of 2.3% in 2017 over 2016.

Development of Tourism Infrastructure:

• Under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, seven projects have been sanctioned during 2018-19.
• Integrated development of identified pilgrimage destinations is being undertaken under the ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive’ (PRASHAD) Scheme.
• Ministry of Tourism provided Central Financial Assistance for infrastructure development during 2018-19 to Cochin Port Trust and Mormugaon Port Trust.

‘ADOPT A HERITAGE’ Project:

• Ministry of Tourism in close collaboration with Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) launched a “Adopt a Heritage Project”.
• Objective – To provide world class facilities at the various natural/cultural heritage sites, monuments and other tourist sites.
• The project plans to entrust to private sector companies, public sector companies and individuals for the development of various tourist amenities.

MoUs have been signed at the following sites:

• Area surrounding Gangotri Temple & Trail to Gaumukh, Uttarakhand
• Stok Kangri Trek, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir
• Red Fort, New Delhi
• Gandikota Fort, Andhra Pradesh
• Surajkund, Haryana
• Jantar Mantar, Delhi
• Qutub Minar, Delhi
• Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra
• Let Palace, Jammu & Kashmir
• Hampi (Hazara Rama Temple), Karnataka
• Online Learning Management System:
• Ministry of Tourism launched an Online Learning Management System for creating skilled manpower to work as tourist facilitators.
• Objective – to enable the youth living in remotest part to skill themselves and facilitate tourists on Pan India basis.

Incredible India Mobile App:

• Ministry of Tourism launched Incredible India Mobile App on 27th September, 2018 to showcase India as a holistic destination, revolving around major experiences, like spirituality, heritage, adventure, culture, yoga, wellness and more.
• The app has been equipped with features to assist the traveler in each phase of their journey to India.

Legacy Vintage Hotel:

• Ministry of Tourism has introduced the concept of Legacy Vintage Hotels to cover hotels constructed/built with materials from heritage properties/buildings (i.e. properties or buildings which were built/constructed/erected prior to the year 1950).
• Such hotels will help recreate the ambience and atmosphere of the bygone era.

Indian Culinary Institute (ICI), Noida Campus:

• The Indian Culinary Institute (ICI), Noida campus was inaugurated on 27th April, 2018 for starting culinary courses.
• The campus also has an “Indian Culinary Museum” where the rich historical and diversified culinary objects and other literature will be displayed.
• Objective – The main objective of ICI is to institutionalize a mechanism to support efforts intended to preserve, document, promote and disseminate information about Indian Cuisine, meet the sectoral requirement of specialists specific to Indian Cuisine, as also to promote ‘Cuisine’ as a Niche Tourism product.