By BOTT Desk
Around 21.5 million people in the tourism industry have lost their jobs due to the three waves of Covid, Minister of Tourism, G. Kishan Reddy informed the Lok Sabha during Question Hour. Reddy said 38 million people were involved with the tourism industry in the country before the pandemic hit the country. Tourist arrivals in the country were down by 93% during the first wave which began in March 2020, 79% in the second wave in April-May 2021, and 64% during the third wave which began in December 2021, the Union Tourism Minister said.
Reddy said the government has conducted a study on the impact of the pandemic on tourism. As per the study, he said, there were 14.5 million job losses during the first wave, 5.2 million job losses in the second wave and 1.8 million job losses in the third wave.
On government’s effort to revive the sector, the minister said that an interest-free loan of ₹10 lakh is given to travel and tourism stakeholders and up to ₹1 lakh to tourist guides.
Reddy appealed to all state governments to help the tourism sector in whatever way they can.
The minister said due to the pro-tourists initiatives of the Narendra Modi government, India’s rank in global tourist destinations has gone up by about 20 positions — from 52 in 2013 to 32 in 2019.
The Ministry of Tourism under Swadesh Darshan scheme has sanctioned 76 projects under 13 thematic circuits including ‘Buddhist theme’. 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.
Reddy also informed that 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.
‘Medical Visa’ has been introduced, 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 156 countries.
Follow BOTT on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
Subscribe BOTT Channels on WhatsApp & Telegram to receive real time updates
