Lok Sabha Question No. 4168 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-22
Subject: Shortage of Capital in Rural Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Devji Mansingram Patel, Dharambir Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†4168

## ANSWERED ON 22.03.2021

## SHORTAGE OF CAPITAL IN RURAL TOURISM

## †4168. SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL: SHRI DHARAMBIR SINGH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  tourism  is  essential  for  the  rural  economy  of  the country  whereas  its  contribution  is  only  0.38  per  cent  at present  and  the  hotels  in  rural  areas  is  only  10  per  cent  as compared  to  China  and  rural  tourism  market  is  also  not developed and not being promoted effectively;
- (b) if  so,  the  schemes formulated by the Government to improve infrastructural facilities like road transportation, airport management  and  electricity  so  as  to  promote  rural  tourism along with the details thereof;
- (c) whether there is  a  huge  shortage of  capital  in  rural  tourism; and
- (d) whether the Government has formulated any effective scheme to address the capital shortage along with the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a) to (d): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  launched  the  Swadesh Darshan   Scheme   for  integrated  development  of  theme  based tourist circuits  for development of tourism infrastructure including last  mile  connectivity  in  the  Country.  Recognising  the  potential  of rural tourism in the country, the Ministry has identified Rural Circuit as one of the thematic circuits identified for development under this scheme and is aimed at leveraging tourism as a force multiplier for revitalizing  the  rural  economy  and  for  giving  both  domestic  and international tourists a glimpse of the rural aspect of the country.

The projects for development of Tourism related infrastructure, including rural tourism projects/proposals are identified for development under the circuit in consultation with the State Governments/UT Administrations and are sanctioned subject to  availability  of  funds,  submission  of  suitable  detailed  project reports,  adherence  to  scheme  guidelines  and  utilization  of  funds released earlier.

Based  on  the  above  criteria,  the  Ministry  has  sanctioned following  projects  for  development  of  Rural  Circuits  under  the Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme  which  are  under  different  stages  of implementation:

(Rs. in Crore)

|   S. No. | State/Year of Sanction   | Name of Project                                                  |   Amount Sanctioned |
|----------|--------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
|        1 | Bihar 2017-18            | Development of Gandhi Circuit: Bhitiharwa- Chandrahia- Turkaulia |               44.65 |
|        2 | Kerala 2018-19           | Development of Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project            |               80.37 |

The objective of the Swadesh  Darshan scheme  include creating employment through active involvement of local communities and promoting community-based development and propoor tourism approach.

There is no dedicated budget for promotion and development of  rural  tourism.   However,  in  view  of  its  huge  potential,  rural tourism has emerged as one of the priority sectors.

The  Ministry  of  Tourism,  Govt  of  India  promotes  India  as  a holistic tourism destination including ancient heritage & culture as part of its ongoing activities, releases print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaigns in the domestic and International markets, under the Incredible India brand-line, to promote tourism products  and  destinations  in  the  country  including  Rural  Tourism. The Ministry also  promotes the tourism destinations and products through its websites and publicity and promotional material produced by it from time to time.

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