At least 50 destinations will be selected and developed as a complete package of tourism, Union Minister for Finance Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Wednesday while presenting the Union Budget in Parliament.

She added that these destinations will be selected through challenge mode using an integrated and innovative approach while the focus of development of tourism would be on domestic as well as foreign tourists.

The finance minister proposed to launch an App in which all the relevant aspects of the tourist destination would be made available, in addition to aspects such as physical connectivity, virtual connectivity, tourist guides, high standards for food streets and tourist security, to enhance the tourist experience.

To strengthen domestic tourism, sector-specific skilling and entrepreneurship development will be dovetailed to achieve the objectives of the ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ initiative, the Budget proposed. To encourage tourism in the border villages, tourism infrastructure and amenities will be facilitated under the Vibrant Villages Programme, announced the finance minister.

Speaking about the various tourism schemes, Sitharaman said the ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ initiative was launched as an appeal by the Prime Minister to the middle class to prefer domestic tourism over international tourism while the ‘Swadesh Darshan Scheme’ was launched for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuit.

The minister said Unity Mall, to promote and sell state’s own One District, One Product (ODOPs), Geographical Indication (GI) and other handicraft products, will be set up in states. She further added that the states would be encouraged to set up such Unity Mall in the capital city or most prominent tourism centre or the financial capital and also provide space for ODOPs & GI products of other States as well.

“The country offers an immense attraction for domestic as well as foreign tourists. There is a large potential to be tapped into tourism. The sector holds huge opportunities for jobs and entrepreneurship for youth in particular. Promotion of tourism will be taken up on mission mode, with the active participation of states, a convergence of government programmes and public-private partnerships.” said the finance minister talking about the potential of tourism in India.