Centre sanctions 117 tourism infrastructure projects worth Rs 5,756-Cr in two years
New Delhi, July 21(TNT): The Centre has sanctioned 117 tourism infrastructure projects worth ₹5,756.62 crore across the country during the last two years under various flagship schemes aimed at strengthening tourism infrastructure and improving visitor amenities, the NDA-led BJP government informed in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
In a written reply, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the projects were approved under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0, Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), PRASHAD, Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JUGA) schemes.
Financial assistance was also extended to States under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment initiative for developing iconic tourist centres.
The Union Minister said the Ministry has intensified digital promotion of tourism through the revamped Incredible India Digital Platform, launched in September 2024, which offers multilingual travel information and enables booking of flights, hotels, cabs, buses and ASI monument tickets through integrated online services.
He said the Ministry has also been promoting tourism through digital campaigns, official social media platforms and collaborations with influencers.
Highlighting efforts under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) initiative, Shekhawat said the Ministry organises the annual Bharat Parv during Republic Day celebrations and participates in various cultural events to showcase India’s tourism potential.
Educational institutions under the Ministry, including Institutes of Hotel Management, the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management and the Indian Culinary Institute, regularly conduct student exchanges, cultural festivals and familiarisation programmes to strengthen cultural integration.
To boost international tourist arrivals, the Ministry has undertaken overseas roadshows, tourism fairs, media campaigns and promotional events in collaboration with Indian Missions, States and tourism stakeholders.
The Union Minister said the Government has simplified the visa regime through the e-Visa facility, now available under nine categories for nationals of 174 countries.
Other initiatives include a 24×7 multilingual tourist helpline, the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification programme and integration of Regional Level Guides into the Incredible India Tourist Guide system.
The Ministry is also working with the Ministry of Civil Aviation to improve air connectivity to tourist destinations under the UDAN scheme, under which 53 tourism routes have been identified.
Shekhawat said the Government is promoting niche tourism segments such as spiritual, eco, adventure, rural, tribal, wellness, medical, MICE, wedding and heritage tourism through dedicated national strategies, infrastructure development and promotional campaigns, including the “Meet in India” initiative for MICE tourism and the “India Says I Do” campaign for destination weddings.
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