Key Highlights
- As commercial flight operations ramp up to pre-COVID levels, I urge the citizens of the country to strictly follow Covid protocol to stay safe and healthy: Shri G Kishan Reddy
Union Minister for Tourism, Culture & DoNER, Shri G.Kishan Reddy handed over cheques/ sanction letters to the first lot of stakeholders who have been granted the loan/ in-principle approval under the LGSCATSS at an event today in New Delhi. Secretary Tourism Shri Arvind Singh, DG Tourism Shri G Kamala Vardhana Rao, ADG Tourism Smt. Rupinder Brar and senior officers from the Ministry of Tourism and the participating banks were also present in the event.
Later, the Union Minister addressed the gathering and acknowledged the efforts of stakeholders of the travel trade sector, senior officers from the Ministry, and the Banks and granted the loan / in-principle approval for a loan under the Loan Guarantee Scheme for COVID Affected Tourism Sector Services (LGSCATSS). The Minister acknowledged that the Tourism sector was one of the most affected service sectors and those dependent on the tourism sector faced a significant depletion in incomes.
Shri G Kishan Reddy said, “The Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi desired that sectors such as Tourism be extended financial support so that Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Tourist Transport Operators, Regional level Tourist, and the local guides can sustain themselves in the time of change”
LGSCATSS provides support to approved Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Tourist Transport Operators, Regional level Tourist and local guides by the State governments and Union Territories in the form of credit under the Credit Guarantee Scheme at concessional rates. The purpose of extending financial support/relief to the tourism stakeholders and service providers was to mitigate their hardships due to the Covid-19 pandemic and to help them revive their business and livelihood.
The Union Minister said “currently there is a discussion on the impact of the third wave, but I believe that strict adherence to COVID protocol will help overcome the situation. I urge the citizens of the country to strictly follow the Covid protocol to stay safe and healthy”. He said that under the leadership of Sri Narendra Modi, the scientists have developed the vaccine indigenously, and the Government has already administered around 125 crore doses. He also recognised the effort of Indian scientists and entrepreneurs and said that it was a proud moment for India as even developed countries are queuing up for India-made vaccines.
The Minister also encouraged families to visit at least two tourism destinations each year and this will help future generations to know about our rich heritage. Various circuits are being developed and connected to make it accessible for tourists. The Minister also stated that the Ministry of Railways is running specialised trains by leveraging skilled professionals to connect the Buddhist destinations and Ramayan circuit.
Since 2014, approximately Rs. 5,500 crores has been sanctioned towards development of infrastructure in tourism destinations chosen by states through the SWADESH darshan scheme with the aim of developing these destinations to international standards. More than Rs. 1,200 crores has also been sanctioned towards pilgrimage rejuvenation and spiritual heritage augmentation through the PRASHAD scheme. As part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, 75 destinations will be declared by the government and the destinations will be developed in coordination with the other ministries for facilitating the tourists. The destinations will be made accessible to the International tourists with infrastructure which includes International airports.
The Minister also spoke about various initiatives and interventions made during COVID-19 to develop tourism. Around 5 lakh visas will be issued to foreign tourists without any charges and 170 countries are now a part of the e-visa approval facility. The Government of India has also appointed exclusive officers to promote the country’s tourism in 20 missions abroad in countries such as Canada, United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Singapore, Korea, Japan