India, July 21 -- The Government of India issued the following news release:
Development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including cruise tourism is undertaken by the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. The Ministry of Tourism complements the efforts of States/UTs through various schemes and initiatives.
Various schemes, programs, and initiatives of the Ministry have been actively addressing issues related to the tourism promotion and development, including coastal tourism. The focus of the Ministry is to strengthen and effectively implement these ongoing initiatives and monitor the evolving needs of the tourism sector, while remaining open to further enhancements in alignment with national priorities and stakeholder's inputs. A separate policy for development of coastal tourism is not envisaged at this point in time.
However, Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to the Central Government Agencies for development of tourism including Cruise Tourism and Cruising along rivers, on receipt of complete proposals under the Scheme of 'Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development'. In addition, Ministry of Tourism has identified Coastal Circuit as one of the fifteen thematic circuits for development under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. The list of projects sanctioned under these schemes in various states is given in Annexure.
The Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Ministry has been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations following a tourist & destination centric approach.
Cruise Bharat Mission (CBM) has been launched by Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways in September, 2024 with the aim to provide whole of government approach by involving various Central and State Government agencies. CBM provides for a framework for inter-ministerial approach for crafting interventions along policy, regulatory, and other aspects governing cruise sector and enable responsible involvement of all regulatory agencies, such as Customs, Immigration, CISF, State Tourism Departments, State Maritime Agencies, District Administrations, and local police.
This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
