Lok Sabha Question No. 2729 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Promotion of Rural Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Ajay Bhatt

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2729 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

## PROMOTION OF RURAL TOURISM

## †2729. SHRI AJAY BHATT:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has formulated any scheme to promote rural tourism in the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  schemes  proposed  and  the  action  plan  formulated  for tapping  tourism  potential  in  rural/backward/tribal  areas  of  the country, State/UT-wise along with the status of rural tourism in the country;
- (c) the details of the funds sanctioned, released and utilized during the last three years, State/UT and year-wise;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  identified  villages  and  towns  as places to tourists' attractions; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including Uttarakhand along with the amount allocated by the Government therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF TOURISM        (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a)  to  (e):  Development  and  promotion  of  tourist  destinations  and products, including rural tourism is undertaken by the respective State Government  /  Union  Territory  (UT)  Administration.  The  Ministry  of Tourism promotes India in a holistic manner, through various initiatives.

Under  the  schemes  of  'Swadesh  Darshan',  'National  Mission  on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation & Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)' and 'Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure  Development',  Ministry  of  Tourism  provides  financial assistance to State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations for the development of tourism related infrastructure and facilities at various tourism destinations in the country including in the rural backward / tribal areas. Rural Circuit was identified as one of the thematic circuits under Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme.  The  details  of  projects  sanctioned  under Rural Circuit of the scheme are given at Annexure.

Swadesh Darshan Scheme was revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)  with  the  objective  to  develop  sustainable  and  responsible destinations following a destination centric approach.

Ministry of Tourism has formulated guidelines for 'Challenge Based Destination  Development'  as  a  sub  scheme  of  Swadesh  Darshan  2.0 Scheme  to enhance  tourist experience and to transform tourist destinations as sustainable & responsible destinations.

With  the  aim  to  promote  tourism  in  tribal  areas,  the  Ministry  of Tourism  has  issued  guidelines  along  with  template  for  formulation  of proposal by State Governments and UT Administrations for 'Development of  Homestays  in  Tribal  Areas'  (A  sub-scheme  of  Swadesh  Darshan Scheme)  under  Pradhan  Mantri  Janjatiya  Unnat  Gram  Abhiyan  (PMJUGA). The objective of the initiative is to develop homestays in tribal areas to promote responsible tourism and enhance livelihood opportunities  for  tribal  communities.  The  guidelines  also  focus  on technical  upskilling  and  training  of  the  Homestay  owners.  The  said initiative includes development of 1000 homestays with support of up to ₹5 lakh for village community requirement, up to ₹5 lakh for construction of two new rooms for each household and up to ₹3 lakh for renovation of existing rooms for each household.

Additionally, in the Budget Announcement 2025-26, the Government introduced a separate category in the PMMY (MUDRA) Loan scheme for homestays. Homestays located in rural areas are also eligible to avail this loan. As part of the promotional campaign, a workshop on MUDRA Loan for Homestays was conducted on 11.09.2025 in New Delhi for State Governments and stakeholders. A booklet on Guide to MUDRA Loans for Homestays was also launched on 27th September, 2025 in collaboration step guide to stakeholders for availing the MUDRA Loans for homestay with Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance as a step-byunits through Jan Samarth Portal.

The Ministry of Tourism launched a national responsible tourism initiative  by  the  name  of  'Paryatan  Mitra  &  Paryatan  Didi'  on  27 th September 2024 through which special emphasis is being placed on the training of women and youth to enable them to leverage these skills to obtain gainful  employment  as  homestay  owners, food & cuisine experience providers, cultural guides, natural guides, adventure guides, and other roles, based on the potential of the destination.

The Ministry of Tourism has also formulated a National Strategy and  Roadmap  for  Development  of  Rural  Tourism  in  India  which  was circulated to all States/ UTs.

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ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2729 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 REGARDING PROMOTION OF RURAL TOURISM RAISED BY SHRI AJAY BHAT Details of project sanctioned under the Rural Circuit of Swadesh Darshan

Scheme in the country:

| S. No.   | State/UT   | Circuit/ Sanctio n Year   | Name of the Project                                   |   Amount Sanctioned (Rs. in Crore) |   Amount Released (Rs. in Crore) |
|----------|------------|---------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| 1.       | Bihar      | Rural Circuit 2017-18     | Development of Bhitiharwa- Chandrahia-Turkaulia       |                              44.27 |                            40.31 |
| 2.       | Kerala     | Rural Circuit 2018-19     | Development of Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project |                              57.35 |                            45.88 |
|          |            |                           | Total                                                 |                             101.62 |                            86.19 |

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