The Ministry of Tourism has initiated the development of 57 destinations across the country under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0). This move comes as part of the revamped Swadesh Darshan Scheme aimed at fostering sustainable and responsible tourism. Under SD2.0, 76 projects have been sanctioned, reflecting a commitment to enhancing tourism infrastructure and experiences, stated Union Minister of Tourism, G.K Reddy in Lok Sabha today.
Aligned with the scheme’s guidelines, each state or union territory prepares a State Perspective Plan, from which destinations are selected for development by the Ministry of Tourism, he said.
Additionally, the Ministry of Tourism has launched the National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme, which aims to integrate the development of identified pilgrimage destinations. This scheme is specifically geared towards enhancing pilgrimage and spiritual tourism infrastructure, thereby improving visitor experiences and bolstering local economies.
Under PRASHAD, a total of 46 projects have been sanctioned, with an estimated investment of INR 1631.93 crore, the minister shared.
The total budget for the Ministry of Tourism stands at INR 2449.62 crores. However, there have been noticeable shifts in budget allocations for Promotion and Publicity, with a drastic cut in overseas promotion and publicity. Shockingly, in the 2024-2025 budget, this allocation has been significantly reduced to just INR 3.02 crores. This drastic reduction underscores the government’s decision to prioritise domestic tourism promotion over international outreach.
As the nodal agency for formulating national tourism policies and coordinating activities across government agencies, state governments, union territories, and the private sector, the Ministry of Tourism plays a pivotal role in promoting tourism both domestically and internationally, said Reddy. Utilizing various platforms including websites, social media, promotional materials, films, and participation in travel fairs/exhibitions, India‘s diverse tourist destinations and products are showcased to attract visitors from around the globe, he stated while replying to queries in Lok Sabha session.
