Lok Sabha Question No. 106 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-19
Subject: Promotion of Rural Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Balak Nath, Ramya  Haridas, Sumedhanand Saraswati

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†106 ANSWERED ON 19.07.2021

## PROMOTION OF RURAL TOURISM

## †106. SHRI BALAK NATH:

SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI: MS. RAMYA HARIDAS:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether tourism is essential for rural economy of the country, while its contribution is only 0.38 per cent at present;
- if  so,  whether there is huge scope of rural tourism market in
- (b) the country including Rajasthan;
- (c) whether the Government has formulated any scheme to bring improvement in various sectors to promote rural tourism in the country;
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the funds allocated during the last three years for promotion of rural tourism, State-wise and year-wise?

## ANSWER

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

MINISTER OF TOURISM

(a) to (e): The Ministry of Tourism has launched Swadesh Darshan Scheme for integrated development of theme based tourist circuits for  development  of  tourism  infrastructure  in  the  Country  including Rajasthan.  Recognizing the potential of rural tourism in the country, the  Ministry  has  identified  Rural  Circuit  as  one  of  the  thematic circuits  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  tourist glimpse of the rural aspects 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 in the country under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme:

(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 |

No  proposal  has  so  far  been  received  by  the  Ministry  of Tourism from State Government of Rajasthan for development under Rural Circuit.

The  Ministry  of  Tourism,  Govt.  of  India,  promotes  India  as  a holistic tourism destinations including ancient heritage, culture as part of its ongoing activities, releases print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaign 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 website and publicity and promotional material produced by it from time to time.

*******