New Delhi, Dec 13 (KNN) Accepting that there is lack of hygiene and cleanliness at tourist destinations, the Ministry of Tourism (MOT) has been running Campaign Clean India in order to bring about an acceptable level of cleanliness at important tourist destinations. 

“The Government is aware that lack of hygiene and cleanliness at tourist destinations is a major concern for domestic as well as foreign tourists,” Minister of State for Tourism, K Chiranjeevi told Parliament today.

“Recognizing its importance, MOT has launched Campaign Clean India in June 2012 to bring about an acceptable level of cleanliness at important tourist destinations, he added.

Development of tourism infrastructure including upkeep and maintenance is primarily the responsibility of the State/UT Governments.

However, MOT provides Central Financial Assistance for various tourism projects prioritized every year in consultation with them subject to availability of funds, inter-se priority and adherence to the scheme guidelines, Chiranjeevi said.

He also informed Parliament about the initiatives of the Ministry for conducting study on development of cleanliness index for 35 cities important for tourist visits. 

The Foreign Tourists Arrivals (FTAs) to India in 2012 were 65,77,745 as compared to 63,09,222 in 2011, which is an increase of 4.3 per cent.

Foreign Tourists Arrivals during the period January to October, 2013 were 53.30 lakh with a growth of 4.0 per cent, as compared to FTAs of 51.24 lakh during corresponding period in the previous year.

The Domestic Tourist Visits in 2012 were 1036 million as compared to 865 million in 2011, the growth rate being 19.9 per cent (2012 over 2011). (KNN/SD)