The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture & Tourism Shripad Yesso Naik has said that promotion and marketing of India as a tourism destination is an ongoing process. The Ministry of Tourism promotes India as a holistic destination in the domestic and international markets through media campaigns, tourist literature and publicity material.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha Naik said that the Ministry of Tourism is formulating schemes for improvement of existing tourist products and to develop new tourist products to international standards, for Development of Tourism Circuits and a National Mission for infrastructure improvement of pilgrimage centres. In the budget of 2014-15, it has been proposed to allocate Rs.600.00 crores for two new Schemes of the Ministry of Tourism – Rs. 500 crores for five Tourism Circuits and Rs. 100 crores for National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD).
Naik stated that the Ministry of Tourism has several guidelines in place for extending financial support to the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for tourism promotion which include support for production of publicity material, joint advertising in print media, organizing fairs and festivals and tourism related events, promotion of film tourism etc. The financial assistance is provided based on proposals received from the State Government/Union Territory Administrations, which are complete in all respect as per Guidelines, inter-se priority and subject to availability of funds.
