Tourism Boom Accelerates: Government Sanctions ₹5,756 Cr Across 117 Projects to Build Global-Scale Destinations
The Ministry of Tourism has solidified its commitment to national growth by sanctioning a substantial total of 117 projects valued at ₹5,756.62 Crore over the last two financial years. These investments are critical for developing robust tourism infrastructure and significantly augmenting basic amenities across India. The extensive initiatives span diverse areas, from spiritual heritage preservation to cutting-edge eco-tourism development.These funds are being deployed under various high-impact schemes, including Swadesh Darshan 2.0, Challenge Based Destination Development, Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), Special Assistance for Capital Investment (SASCI), and specialized initiatives like DA JUGA. This strategic investment underscores the government’s dedication to elevating India's tourism profile both domestically and internationally.
Strategic Investment Through Core Tourism Schemes
A significant portion of the sanctioned funds is channeled through schemes focusing on destination development and cultural preservation. Under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, projects worth ₹1565.62 Crore have been approved across multiple states, covering experiences like the Suryalanka Beach Development in Andhra Pradesh and the Buddhist Meditation & Experience Centre in Bihar.The Challenge Based Destination Development scheme received allocations totaling ₹687.99 Crore. This project pipeline is actively enhancing cultural and spiritual nodes, with funds dedicated to projects such as "Enriching Buddhist Heritage" at Nagarjuna Sagar (Andhra Pradesh) and developing the Sacred Ocean Retreat at Harsiddhi Shore in Porbandar (Gujarat).
Furthermore, specialized financial assistance was provided through SASCI, encompassing projects totaling ₹3295.76 Crore. These large-scale projects are designed to transform key tourist areas. Examples include the development of Gandikota Fort experience in Andhra Pradesh and the reimagining of Amber-Nahargarh area near Jaipur in Rajasthan.
Promoting Niche Tourism and Sustainable Development
The Ministry is aggressively promoting niche tourism products, ensuring sustainable and specialized travel experiences are prioritized. This includes spiritual, eco, adventure, rural, tribal, wellness, medical, MICE, wedding, and heritage tourism.Specific plans have been formulated across various domains. The "Meet in India" sub-brand has been launched for MICE tourism, while the "India Says I Do" campaign is actively promoting destination weddings. Safety remains a priority, with the issuance of a Model Adventure Tourism Safety Framework to guide sustainable adventure travel.
The DA JUGA scheme specifically focuses on tribal areas and homestays. Total projects under this initiative amount to ₹17.52 Crore, supporting vital clusters in Andhra Pradesh, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, and Uttarakhand. Other dedicated support includes an allocation of 17.46 Crore through the ACA scheme, focusing on cultural site enhancement by central agencies like ITDC and BECIL.
Enhancing Tourist Facilitation and Global Outreach
To improve ease of travel and strengthen international ties, the Ministry has implemented several high-impact reforms. The visa regime has been liberalized and simplified, with e-Visa facility available for nationals of 174 countries. This streamlined access is supported by a dedicated 24x7 Multi-lingual Tourist Helpline.Digital infrastructure is being vastly improved through the Incredible India Digital Platform. Launched in September 2024, this revamped portal serves as a comprehensive one-stop interface, offering bookings for flights, hotels, cabs, buses, and ASI monument tickets through integrated OTAs. Promotion efforts are heightened via official social media campaigns and collaborations with influencers.
The Ministry is also working closely with civil aviation to boost connectivity. Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN), 53 tourism routes have been identified. Moreover, the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification (IITFC) Programme has been introduced to professionally train guides, complementing the integration of existing regional guides into the pan-India IITG system.
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