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Box 6.2 EXTERNAL SECTOR
Key Announcements in Central Budget 2014-15 for Tourism Sector

• Outlay increased to 1,507 crore from 980 crore in 2013-14
• Facility of Electronic Travel Authorization (e-Visa) to be introduced in phased manner at

nine airports in India
• Countries to which the Electronic Travel authorization facility would be extended in a

phased manner
• National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD)

allocated ` 100 Crore
• ` 100 crore provided for Archaeological sites preservation..

Awards and Recognitions

6.37 Kerala Tourism has won many national and international awards during the previous year.
Some of them are UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Public Policy and Governance, Lonely
Planet-Travel Awards for Best Destination for Families, Best Destination for Relaxation, Runner up
in Best Destination for Value, Golden City Gate, ITB Berlin Silver for Print Campaign- Home of
Ayurveda, Olive Crown Award Gold for Print Campaign- World Tourism Day, PATA Awards Gold
Award for E-News Letter, National Tourism Awards for Most Innovative Tourism Project Award for
Kochi-Muziris Biennale, National Tourism Awards for Best Civic Management Award for Kumarakom
Grama Panchayat, National Tourism Awards for Most Innovative use of IT 2nd Prize in the Best State
Category.

Responsible Tourism

6.38 Tourism has strong impact on socio-economic scenario of the host community. The development
and management of a destination has to be in line with the aspirations of local communities, which
would not only provide for a more authentic tourist experience, but also attract a stronger community
support for tourism. The Department of Tourism has put efforts for inculcating local community
views on tourism planning and destination management by introducing Responsible Tourism in four
destinations, Kumarakom, Kovalam, Thekkady and Wayanad. The Responsible Tourism initiative
aims at minimizing negative economic, environmental, and social impacts of tourism at destinations
and enhancing economic and social well-being of host communities and conservation of natural
and cultural heritage of the destinations. The Department has set in multi stakeholder mechanisms
in these destinations involving local governments, local people and the tourism industry and trade.
This has provided a platform for direct interaction between the stakeholders. It enabled a clear
understanding of visitor requirements by service providers, while keeping requisite safeguards in
optimizing outcomes for mutual benefit. It also provides scope for economic activity for local people
by supplying local produces, performing local art forms and rendering services. There exists cohesion
and mutual respect between the industry and people in these destinations. It also provides more
enjoyable experiences for tourists through meaningful connections with local people, and fosters
respect for local culture. Based on the experiences and lessons learned from Responsible Tourism,
the Department is initiating a second phase of the programme branded as “God’s Own Country –
Peoples on Tourism” with the active cooperation of Local Self Governments.

Economic Review 2014