Here are 10 key points summarizing India’s tourism initiatives:
- Boosting India as a Global Tourist Destination – The Government is focusing on improving infrastructure and the travel experience to attract both domestic and international visitors.
- Strong Digital Promotion – The Incredible India Content Hub provides high-quality images, videos, and brochures to tour operators, journalists, and travelers through the revamped Incredible India portal.
- Expanding Tourism Infrastructure – Financial support is provided to states, UTs, and central agencies through schemes like Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD, and Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Development.
- Swadesh Darshan 2.0 – The scheme has been revamped to follow a destination-centric approach, promoting sustainable and responsible tourism.
- ₹3,295.76 Crore Sanctioned for 40 Tourism Projects – Funds under the SASCI scheme will be used to develop tourism-related infrastructure across India.
- Financial Assistance for Festivals & Events – States and UTs are supported in organizing fairs, festivals, and tourism-centric events to attract visitors.
- Capacity Building & Skill Development – The CBSP Scheme and Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITF) Programme aim to train and certify tourism professionals for better service quality.
- Improving Rail Connectivity – The Ministry of Tourism is collaborating with Indian Railways to develop tourist-friendly amenities at 22 railway stations.
- Better Road & Air Connectivity – Coordination with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways/NHAI and the Ministry of Civil Aviation is helping enhance access to key tourist destinations.
- Comprehensive Approach for Tourism Growth – These initiatives collectively aim to position India as a world-class tourist hub, driving economic growth and employment.
India’s Initiatives to Strengthen Tourism and Enhance Infrastructure
The Government of India is making significant strides to establish the country as a top global tourist destination, particularly during the Amrit Kaal. With a strong focus on improving infrastructure, promoting diverse attractions, and enhancing the overall travel experience, several key initiatives have been introduced to benefit both domestic and international tourists.
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Strengthening Tourism Promotion and Digital Outreach
The Ministry of Tourism has been actively working to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage, historical landmarks, and natural beauty through a variety of promotional activities. These efforts include extensive media campaigns, social media engagement, webinars, and participation in national and international tourism events. Additionally, Indian Missions abroad are playing a crucial role in attracting foreign visitors by highlighting India’s unique travel experiences.
A major milestone in digital outreach is the launch of the Incredible India Content Hub, an integral feature of the revamped Incredible India digital portal. This hub serves as a comprehensive resource for high-quality tourism-related content, including stunning images, films, brochures, and newsletters. The platform caters to tour operators, journalists, researchers, and content creators, making it easier to access reliable and engaging information about Indian tourism.
Developing World-Class Tourism Infrastructure
To enhance tourism infrastructure across the country, the Ministry of Tourism provides financial support to State Governments, Union Territories, and Central Agencies under various schemes. Key initiatives include:
- Swadesh Darshan Scheme: Aimed at integrated theme-based development of tourism circuits across India, this scheme has now been upgraded to Swadesh Darshan 2.0, which adopts a destination-centric approach to promote sustainable and responsible tourism.
- PRASHAD Scheme (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive): Focused on the development of religious and heritage sites to improve facilities for pilgrims and tourists.
- Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development: A funding initiative to support tourism-related infrastructure projects by central government bodies.
To further accelerate tourism growth, the Government has sanctioned 40 projects worth ₹3,295.76 crore under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States/Union Territories for Capital Investment (SASCI). This funding will be utilized for the development of key tourism-related projects, ensuring improved infrastructure, accessibility, and overall visitor experience. Additionally, financial aid is being extended to states and UTs to support fairs, festivals, and other tourism-centric events that attract large numbers of visitors.
Enhancing Service Quality and Capacity Building
Recognizing the need for skilled professionals in the tourism sector, the Ministry is actively working on manpower development through the Capacity Building for Service Providers (CBSP) Scheme. This initiative provides training and skill enhancement programs for service providers, ensuring high-quality experiences for travelers.
Another key step in this direction is the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITF) Certification Programme, which aims to create a pool of trained and certified tourist facilitators across India. These professionals will serve as knowledgeable guides, enhancing the overall travel experience for domestic and international tourists.
Improving Connectivity to Tourist Destinations
The Ministry of Tourism is working in collaboration with other government departments to improve connectivity and accessibility to major tourist hubs. Key partnerships include:
- Indian Railways: Developing tourist-friendly amenities at 22 railway stations to enhance travel convenience.
- Ministry of Road Transport & Highways/National Highways Authority of India (NHAI): Strengthening road infrastructure to improve access to popular tourist destinations.
- Ministry of Civil Aviation: Expanding air connectivity to key tourism hotspots, ensuring better accessibility for travelers.
A Holistic Approach to Boosting Tourism
With these well-planned initiatives, the Government of India is taking a comprehensive approach to making the country a world-class tourist hub. By investing in infrastructure, digital outreach, skill development, and improved connectivity, India is set to offer a seamless and enriching experience for travelers from across the globe. These initiatives not only promote tourism but also contribute to economic growth, employment generation, and cultural exchange, reinforcing India’s position as a leading global travel destination.
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