The Tourism Ministry has sanctioned 117 projects worth Rs 5,756.62 crore to develop tourism infrastructure over the last two years.
File Photo: IANS
The Tourism Ministry has sanctioned 117 projects worth Rs 5,756.62 crore to develop tourism infrastructure over the last two years.
“The Ministry of Tourism has undertaken several initiatives during the last two years to promote tourism through infrastructure development, digital promotion and expansion of basic amenities across the country,” Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on Monday.
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The Ministry provides Central Financial Assistance to state governments and Union Territory Administrations for developing tourism infrastructure and augmenting basic amenities under the schemes: Swadesh Darshan 2.0, Challenge Based Destination Development, Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA JUGA), subject to scheme guidelines and fund availability.
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Further, under the Government of India initiative Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale, financial assistance was provided to States during 2024-25 for tourism projects.
“In the last two years, the Ministry has sanctioned 117 projects worth Rs. 5756.62 crore under the afore-mentioned Schemes,” Shekhawat said.
The Ministry promotes tourism through the Incredible India Digital Platform, comprising the website and mobile application, which serves as a one-stop digital interface for domestic and international travellers.
The revamped portal, launched in September 2024, is available in multiple languages and offers curated travel content, essential information, and seamless booking of flights, hotels, cabs, buses, and ASI monument tickets through partnerships with Online Travel Agents (OTAs) and other stakeholders.
Promotion is further supported through official social media platforms, digital campaigns, and collaborations with social media influencers.
The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) initiative is implemented by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, the nodal Ministry for the EBSB. However, under the EBSB initiative, the Ministry of Tourism is also implementing several programmes through tourism events and institutional activities.
The Ministry organises its flagship event Bharat Parv every year as part of the Republic Day celebrations with participation from all States and Union Territories to showcase India’s cultural heritage, tourism potential and diverse traditions.
Under this initiative, the Ministry also participated in Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2025 at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat.
Further, the Ministry’s Central Autonomous Bodies, including 21 Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs), the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM), the Indian Culinary Institute (ICI) and India Tourism Offices regularly organise student exchange programmes, familiarisation visits, tour operator networking sessions, cultural programmes, regional cuisine festivals, language-learning activities and other activities highlighting the culture, traditions, cuisine and heritage of paired states and Union Territories under the EBSB initiative.
These initiatives promote cultural tourism, foster people-to-people connect, strengthen national integration and reinforce the spirit of national pride.
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