House panel decries lack of tourism infrastructure

“Any adverse perception about tourist safety and security has very serious implications for international tourist arrivals and its long-term sustainability,” said a parliamentary standing committee.

The government, in its tourism policy formulated in 2002, had emphasised on development of travel circuits as international-standard destinations.

“Precious little has been done over the last decade to create a world-class infrastructure in the country, as envisaged in the tourism policy,” noted the panel in its report tabled in Parliament recently.

Funds were sanctioned for development of seven mega-tourist destinations during the five-year period from 2002-03 to 2007-08, besides 39 projects from 2008-09 to 2012-13. But, the fund remains under-utilised even after so many years.

“Funds for 21 mega tourist destinations identified during the last five years are yet to be sanctioned,” said the panel.

It urged the Ministry of Tourism to ascertain reasons for “an inordinate delay” in implementation of the projects and take remedial measures to complete them in a time bound manner.