**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Tourism presented an answer in Lok Sabha on 15.12.2025 to an unstarred question regarding targets for making India a global Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) hub. The Ministry has developed a National Strategy and Roadmap for the MICE industry, and is promoting India as a holistic tourism destination through various mediums. The statement also outlines projects sanctioned for cruise terminal development and coastal circuits under various schemes, some completed as far back as 2012-2013 and some as recent as 2021-2022.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **MICE Industry Development:**
* The Ministry of Tourism has developed a National Strategy and Roadmap for the MICE industry to position India as a leading global MICE destination.
* The “Meet in India” sub-brand has been launched to promote India as a hub for mega conferences and exhibitions.
* The Ministry aims to build a positive global perception of India's MICE potential.
* **Medical Tourism:**
* A National Strategy & Roadmap for Medical Tourism has been circulated to State Governments, Union Territories, and Stakeholder Ministries.
* Currently, there is no proposal to develop integrated wellness and medical tourism infrastructure in collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH and private hospital chains or to form an inter-ministerial group to promote medical tourism.
* **Financial Assistance for Tourism Infrastructure:**
* The Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance to State Governments/UT Administrations for tourism infrastructure development through schemes like Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD.
* Assistance is based on proposals and detailed project reports received from the States and UT Governments.
* **Cruise Terminal Development:**
* 14 projects for cruise terminal development have been sanctioned under the Scheme for ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development.’
* 10 projects have been sanctioned under the Coastal Circuit of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
* **Promotion of India as a Tourism Destination:**
* The Ministry of Tourism regularly promotes India as a holistic tourism destination in East Asia and the Middle East via social media and websites.
**Impact Analysis**
* **State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations:**
**Impact**
They are primarily responsible for the development and promotion of tourist destinations and products within their respective regions. They receive financial assistance from the Ministry of Tourism based on project proposals.
**Action Required**
Submit detailed project reports to the Ministry of Tourism to request financial assistance for tourism infrastructure development.
* **Stakeholder Ministries and Organizations:**
**Impact**
They receive updates on the National Strategy & Roadmap for Medical Tourism and may be involved in future initiatives related to the MICE industry.
**Action Required**
Review and implement the National Strategy & Roadmap for Medical Tourism.
* **Central Agencies:**
**Impact**
They are the recipients of the Scheme for Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development for cruise terminal development.
**Action Required**
Manage and oversee the sanctioned cruise terminal development projects.
* **Tourism Industry:**
**Impact**
The overall tourism industry benefits from increased infrastructure development and marketing initiatives.
**Action Required**
Leverage the developed infrastructure and promoted tourism destinations to attract more visitors.
* **Potential Tourists from East Asia and the Middle East:**
**Impact**
Target audience for marketing strategies aimed at attracting high-spending tourists.
**Action Required**
No action required.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The primary governmental body responsible for tourism policies and initiatives in India.
MICE: Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions, a sector the policy targets to promote in India.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism focused on integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits.
Heal in India: A brand initiative to promote India as a medical tourism destination.
Ministry of AYUSH: Collaborating Ministry with Tourism for developing integrated wellness and medical tourism infrastructure.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2440
ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025
TARGETS FOR MAKING INDIA A GLOBAL MICE HUB
†2440. SHRI BABU SINGH KUSHWAHA:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the short-term and long-term targets set by the
Government for revenue generation and increase visitors in order
to make India a global Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and
Exhibitions (MICE) hub along with the financial incentives being
provided to attract international events;
(b) the manner in which the Government is developing an integrated
wellness and medical tourism infrastructure in collaboration with
the Ministry of AYUSH and private hospital chains to strengthen
the 'Heal in India' brand;
(c) whether an inter-ministerial group in collaboration with Ministry
of Health and Family Welfare is proposed to be formed to promote
medical tourism and if so, the details thereof;
(d) the current status of the development of modern coastal and
river cruise terminals for cruise tourism at major ports; and
(e) the details of the various measures taken/being taken by the
Government in marketing strategy to attract high-spending
tourists from East Asia and the Middle East?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and products,
is primarily the responsibility of the respective State Government/Union
Territory (UT) Administration. However, to position India as a leading
global MICE destination, the Ministry of Tourism has developed a
National Strategy and Roadmap for the MICE industry. As part of this
initiative, the “Meet in India” sub-brand has been launched, with the
vision to promote India as a hub for mega conferences and exhibitions,creating awareness and building a positive global perception of the
country’s MICE potential.
(b) & (c): The Ministry of Tourism formulated a National Strategy &
Roadmap for Medical Tourism which was circulated to the State
Governments, Union Territories, Stake holder Ministries and
organizations. There is no proposal in the Ministry of Tourism at present
to develop integrated wellness and medical tourism infrastructure in
collaboration with Ministry of AYUSH and private hospital chains or to
form an inter-ministerial group to promote medical tourism.
The Ministry of Tourism through its central sector schemes of
‘Swadesh Darshan, ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage
Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for
Tourism Infrastructure Development ’extends financial assistance to the
State Governments/UT Administrations for tourism infrastructure
development in the country. The central financial assistance is being
extended according to guidelines and based on proposals / detailed
project reports received from the States and UT Governments.
(d): The Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned 14 projects for the
development of Cruise Terminals and related infrastructure under the
Scheme for ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure
Development’ and 10 projects under Coastal Circuit of Swadesh Darshan
Scheme. The list of these projects is placed at Annexure.
(e): As part of its on-going activities, the Ministry of Tourism regularly
promotes India as a holistic tourism destination including in East Asia
and the Middle East, through various mediums including social media
and websites.
*******ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.†2440 ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025 REGARDING TARGETS
FOR MAKING INDIA A GLOBAL MICE HUB RAISED BY SHRI BABU SINGH
KUSHWAHA
List of Projects Sanctioned under the Scheme Assistance to Central
Agencies for development of Cruise Terminals and related infrastructure
(Rs. in Lakh)
Sl. Year Name of Name of Project Agency Amount
No. State sanctioned
1 2012- Tamil Nadu Cruise Passenger Chennai 1724.66
13 Facilities Centre in the Port
existing Passenger Trust
Terminal at Chennai
Port.
2 2014- Goa Cruise Terminal Mormug 879.04
15 Building at Mormugao ao Port
Port Trust trust
3 2016- Kerala Development of a Cochin 901.00
17 Walkway/Promenade on Port
Willingdon Island, Trust
Cochin, Kerala
4 2016- Kerala Central Financial Cochin 2141.00
17 Assistance for Port
upgrading of Births & Trust
Backup area of
Ernakulam Wharf
5 2016- Maharashtra Central Financial Mumbai 1500.00
17 Assistance to Mumbai Port
Port Trust for trust
Development of Kanoji
Angre Lighthouse as a
tourist Destination
6 2017- Maharashtra Up-gradation / Mumbai 1250.00
18 modernization to Port
International Cruise Trust
terminal at Indira Dock,
Mumbai.7 2018- Goa Improvement of Mormug 1316.40
19 immigration facility and ao Port
deepening of existing trust
cruise berth at
Mormugao
8 2018- Kerala Developing Cochin 120.79
19 infrastructure at Cochin Port
Port Cruise Terminal. Trust
9 2018- Kerala Creation of additional Cochin 466.47
19 tourism facilities at the Port
Cochin north Trust Trust
Walkway
10 2018- Andhra Construction of Cruise Visakha 3850.00
19 Pradesh Berth at Channel Berth patnam
in outer Harbour of Port
patnam Port Trust
11 2019- Kerala CFA for Development of Cochin 1029.70
20 Additional Port
infrastructure in the Trust
new Cochin Port Trust
Terminal
12 2019- Uttar Pradesh CFA for Development of IWAI 2803.05
20 (Varanasi & Jetties at nine (09) main
Allahabad-I, points of
Allahabad-II), embarkation/disembark
Bihar ation of River Cruise on
(Bhagalpur), National Water ways
West Bengal No. 1& 2
(Kolkata) &
Assam Ministry of Tourism
(Neamati, accorded approval for
Pandu, continuation of the
Jogighopa & development of 4 nos
Biswanathgh jetties in NW-2
at) (Brahmaputra)
13 2021- Goa Creation of facilities for Mormug 5000.00
22 International and ao Port
Domestic Cruise Trust
Vessels at Mormugao
Port, Goa by Mormugao
Port Trust (MPT)14 2021- Maharashtra Upgradation/Modernizat Mumbai 3750.00
22 ion to International Port
Cruise Terminal at Trust
Indira Dock, Mumbai
Port Trust
List of Projects Sanctioned for Coastal Circuit under Swadesh Darshan
Scheme
COASTAL CIRCUIT
(Rs. in Crore)
S. Name of Year Project Name Amount
No. State Sanctioned
1. Andhra (2014- Development of Circuit at 67.83
Pradesh 15) Kakinada - Hope Island - Coringa
Wildlife Sanctuary -
Passarlapudi - Aduru - S Yanam -
Kotipally
2. Andhra (2015- Development of Nellore, Pulikat 49.55
Pradesh 16) Lake, Ubblamadugu water falls,
Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary,
Mypadu Beach, Ramatheertham
3. Puducherry (2015- Development of Dubrayapet – 58.44
16) Arikamedu – Veerampattinam –
Chunnambar -
Nallavadu/Narambai - Manapet-
Kalapet - Puducherry - Yanam
4. West Bengal (2015- Development of Beach Circuit: 67.99
16) Udaipur- Digha- Shankarpur-
Tajpur- Mandarmani- Fraserganj-
Bakkhlai-Henry Island
5. Maharashtra (2015- Development of Sindhudurg 19.06
16) Coastal Circuit (Shiroda Beach,
Sagareshwar, Tarkarli, Vijaydurg
(Beach & Creek), Devgad (Fort &
Beach), Mitbhav, Tondavali,
Mocehmad and Nivati Fort).
6. Goa (2016- Development of Sinquerim-Baga, 97.65
17) Anjuna-Vagator, Morjim-Keri,
Aguada Fort and Aguada Jail.
7. Odisha (2016- Development of Gopalpur, 70.82
17) Barkul, Satapada and Tampara.8. Andaman & (2016- Development of Long Island-Ross 27.57
Nicobar 17) Smith Island- Neil Island-
Islands Havelock Island- Baratang
Island-Port Blair.
9. Tamil Nadu (2016- Development of Chennai- 73.13
17) Mamamallapuram –
Rameshwaram –
Kulasekaranpattinam –
Kanyakumari
10. Goa (2017- Development of Rua De Orum 99.35
18) Creek - Don Paula -Colva -
Benaulim
Total 631.39
**********