(a) whether the Minister is aware that his statement that he would cleanse India of all ''western cultural influence'' has done incalculable damage to the global perception of India, and by adding to the world''s depiction of an atmosphere of rising intolerance in the country, would negatively impact western tourism to India;
(b) if so, whether he has taken steps to retract his statement in the spirit of India''s traditional openness to the world, in order to reassure tourists that they are still welcome in India;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor |
| ANSWER |
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) to (d): No, Madam. The said reference appears to have been misinterpreted. The Minister and Ministry of Tourism stands for the spirit of India’s traditional openness to the world and we assure our International tourist a warm welcome in a secure, clean and hospitable atmosphere. The number of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during 2012, 2013 and 2014 were 6.58 million, 6.97 million and 7.68 million respectively.
The data shows that there is an increasing trend in the number of FTAs during the above mentioned period. During 2014, India witnessed an impressive growth rate of 10.2% in Foreign Tourist Arrivals as compared to a modest growth rate of 4.2% observed in International Tourists Arrivals world wide. |
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