Ministry of Tourism

About Ministry

• The Ministry of Tourism, is the nodal agency for the formulation of national policies and programmes and for the co-ordination of activities of various Central Government Agencies, State Governments/UTs and the Private Sector for the development and promotion of tourism in the country.
• The Ministry of Tourism functions as the nodal agency for the development of tourism in the country. It plays a crucial role in coordinating and supplementing the efforts of the State/Union Territory Governments, catalyzing private investment, strengthening promotional and marketing efforts and in providing trained manpower resources.

 

SWADESH DARSHAN

• Launched in 2014-2015 as a as a Central Scheme

Objectives

• • To position tourism as a major engine of economic growth and job creation
  • Develop circuits having tourist potential in a planned and prioritized manner
  • Promote cultural and heritage value of the country to generate livelihoods in the identified regions
  • Enhancing the tourist attractiveness in a sustainable manner by developing world class infrastructure in the circuit/destinations
  • Follow community-based development and pro-poor tourism approach
  • Creating awareness among the local communities about the importance of tourism for them in terms of increased sources of income, improved living standards and overall development of the area
  • To create employment through active involvement of local communities

Salient Features

• • It is central sector scheme in which Ministry of Tourism is developing critical tourism infrastructure in the country in a sustainable and inclusive manner to make India into a world class tourist destination.
  • The focus under the scheme is to develop public facilities like
    • 1. last mile connectivity,
      2. Tourist reception Centers,
      3. Way side Amenities,
      4. Solid Waste Management,
    • Illumination, Landscaping, parking etc. where Private Sector is not willing to invest.
  • The Scheme is 100% centrally funded and efforts are made to achieve convergence with other schemes of Central and State Governments and also to leverage the voluntary funding available for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of Central Public Sector Undertakings and Corporate Sector.
  • Tourist Circuit is defined as a route having at least three major tourist destinations which are distinct and apart.
  • Under the scheme, fifteen thematic circuits have been identified, for development namely –
    1. 1. North-East India Circuit,
       2. Buddhist Circuit,
       3. Himalayan Circuit,
       4. Coastal Circuit,
       5. Krishna Circuit,
       6. Desert Circuit,
       7. Tribal Circuit,
       8. Eco Circuit,
       9. Wildlife Circuit,
       10. Rural Circuit,
       11. Spiritual Circuit,
       12. Ramayana Circuit,
       13. Heritage Circuit,
       14. Sufi Circuit and
       15. Tirthankar Circuit.
  • Recently, First Tribal Circuit Project under Swadesh Darshan Scheme was inaugurated in Chhattisgarh

 

NATIONAL MISSION ON PILGRIMAGE REJUVENATION AND SPIRITUAL AUGMENTATION DRIVE (PRASAD) SCHEME

• Central Sector Scheme launched in 2014-15

Objectives

• • Integrated development of pilgrimage destinations in a planned, prioritised and sustainable manner to provide complete religious tourism experience.
  • Harness pilgrimage tourism for its direct and multiplier effect upon employment generation and economic development.
  • Enhancing the tourist attractiveness in a sustainable manner by developing world class infrastructure in the religious destinations;
  • Promote local art, culture, handicraft, cuisine,

Salient Features

• • Recently, Centre has included Gangotri and Yamunotri in Uttarakhand, Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh and Parasnath in Jharkhand in the scheme.
  • The scheme aims at infrastructure development such as entry points (road, rail and water transport), last mile connectivity, basic tourism facilities like Information/ Interpretation Centers, ATM/ money exchange, eco-friendly modes of transport etc.
  • For components within public funding, Central Government will provide 100% fund.
  • For improved sustainability of the project, efforts shall be made to involve PPP and CSR as well.

 

PARYATAN PARV

• Recently organized Paryatan Parv from 2nd to 13th October, 2019, in coordination with other Central Ministries, State Governments and Stakeholders

Objectives

• • Drawing focus on the benefits of tourism, showcasing the cultural diversity of the country and reinforcing the principle of “Tourism for All”.
  • To propagate the message of ‘Dekho Apna Desh’, with the aim to encourage Indians to visit various tourist destinations in the country.

Salient Features

• • Focus – Encouraging Indians to explore their own country.
  • Components of Paryatan Parv –
    1. Dekho Apna Desh – It will encourage Indians to visit their own country. It will include video, photograph and blog competitions visited during event, stories of India through Travelers’ Eyes to promote tourism.
    2. Tourism for All – It will promote tourism events at sites across all States in country. These will mainly be People’s events with large scale public participation. The activities at these sites will include Cultural Programmes of Dance, Music, Theatre, Tourism Exhibitions showcasing culture, cuisine and handicrafts and handlooms etc.
    3. Tourism & Governance – It will have interactive sessions and workshops with stakeholders on varied themes like Skill Development in Tourism Sector, Innovation in Tourism, and Developing Rural Tourism in locations near established destinations.
  • India Tourism Mart 2018 (IMT-2018) – The Tourism Ministry in partnership with the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH) organized the first ever ITM 2018 during Paryatan Parv. It provided a platform to different tourism stakeholders for interacting and conducting business with foreign buyers.
  • India Tourism Mart 2019 (IMT-2019) – This is the second edition of the Mart being organized on lines of major international travel marts held annually in countries across the world. The Mart will provide a platform at the national level for trade and hospitality service providers in the country to interact and conduct business with their counterparts from overseas.

 

ADOPT A HERITAGE/APNI DHAROHAR APNI PEHCHAN PROJECT

• Initiative of Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
• Launched on World Tourism Day e. 27th September, 2018

Objectives

• • Develop basic tourism infrastructure in and around heritage monuments
  • Inclusive tourist experience for heritage site / monument or tourist site.
  • Promote cultural and heritage value of the country to generate livelihoods of local communities of respective heritage site / monument/ tourist site.
  • Enhance the tourist attractiveness in a sustainable manner
  • Create employment through active involvement of local communities.
  • Harness tourism potential for its multiplier effects in employment generation and economic development.
  • Develop sustainable tourism infrastructure.

Salient Features

• • It aims to involve public sector companies, private sector companies and corporate citizens/individuals to take up the responsibility for making heritage and tourism more sustainable through development, operation and maintenance of world-class tourist infrastructure and amenities at the Indian heritage sites.
  • The project primarily focuses on development and maintenance of world-class tourist infrastructure and amenities.
  • No fund is given by Ministry of Tourism. Initiatives are to be funded under CSR.
  • The legal status of the monument does not change after adoption.
  • These companies will be the future ‘Monument Mitras’ who would associate pride with their CSR activities.
  • The Project envisages limited ‘access’ to non-core areas and ‘no handing over of monuments’ are involved.

 

INCREDIBLE INDIA 2.0 CAMPAIGN

• Launched in 2017-18

Objectives

• • Doubling tourism traffic from both foreign and domestic tourists.
  • To promote various destinations and tourism products of the country including spiritual, medical and wellness tourism, in important and potential overseas markets.

Salient Features

• • It marks a shift from the present generic promotions being undertaken across the world, to market specific promotional plans and product specific creatives, with greater focus on digital presence and social media.
  • The Campaign is being released in the prime existing markets as well as important potential markets. Niche tourism products like Heritage Tourism, Adventure Tourism, Cruise Tourism, Rural Tourism, Wellness & Medical Tourism, MICE, Golf, etc. are being promoted through the Incredible India 2.0 Campaign.

 

 

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