**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Tourism has issued a National Strategy and Roadmap for Development of Rural Tourism, focusing on promoting rural and tribal tourism, enhancing tourist experiences, and encouraging sustainable tourism practices. This was disclosed by the Union Minister for Tourism and Culture in a written reply in Lok Sabha today, 02 FEB 2026. The initiatives include the Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas, Challenge Based Destination Development, promotion of Green and Eco Tourism, and Sustainable Tourism.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Rural Tourism Promotion:**
* State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations are responsible for the development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including rural tourism.
* The Ministry promotes tourism in a holistic manner through various initiatives.
* Promotion of Rural homestays and Rural Tourism is also taken up.
* The Ministry promotes tourism destinations and products of rural tourism through its website and social media.
* **Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas (PM-JUGA Sub-Scheme):**
* Guidelines and a template for proposal formulation are provided to State Governments and UT Administrations.
* Objective is to develop homestays in tribal areas to promote responsible tourism and enhance livelihood opportunities for tribal communities.
* The initiative includes technical upskilling and training for Homestay owners.
* Support is provided for the development of 1000 homestays, including up to ₹5 lakh for village community requirements, up to ₹5 lakh for constructing two new rooms per household, and up to ₹3 lakh for renovating existing rooms per household.
* **Challenge Based Destination Development (Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Sub-Scheme):**
* Guidelines formulated to enhance tourist experience and transform tourist destinations as sustainable and responsible destinations.
* **Green and Eco Tourism and Sustainable Tourism:**
* Formulated National Strategies for Eco Tourism and Sustainable Tourism.
* Initiated Travel for LiFE programme to promote sustainable tourism.
* Encourages tourists and tourism businesses to adopt sustainable tourism practices.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration**
* **Impact**: Responsible for implementing rural tourism development and promotion.
* **Action Required**: Use the guidelines and template to formulate proposals for the 'Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas'.
**Tribal Communities**
* **Impact**: Potential for enhanced livelihood opportunities through homestay development and responsible tourism.
* **Action Required**: Participate in homestay development initiatives, including upskilling and training programs.
**Homestay Owners**
* **Impact**: Opportunity for technical upskilling and training, financial support for construction and renovation.
* **Action Required**: Follow guidelines for homestay development, participate in upskilling programs, and seek available financial support.
**Tourists**
* **Impact**: Enhanced tourist experience, opportunity for responsible and sustainable travel.
* **Action Required**: Adopt sustainable tourism practices, engage in Travel for LiFE programme.
**Tourism Businesses**
* **Impact**: Encouraged to adopt sustainable tourism practices.
* **Action Required**: Adopt sustainable tourism practices to benefit from the initiative.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The primary department responsible for formulating and implementing policies related to tourism in India, including rural tourism.
National Strategy and Roadmap for Development of Rural Tourism: The central policy document outlining the plan for developing rural tourism in India.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: A tourism development scheme, with sub-schemes focused on enhancing tourist experiences and sustainable destinations. The specific versions 2.0 and 'Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas' are relevant.
Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA): An initiative under which the 'Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas' sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan is implemented.
Travel for LiFE programme: An initiative to promote sustainable tourism practices in the country.
Ministry of Tourism
National Strategy and Roadmap for Development
of Rural Tourism
Posted On: 02 FEB 2026 4:02PM by PIB Delhi
Development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including rural tourism is undertaken by
the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration.
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 (PM-JUGA). 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.
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.
The Ministry of Tourism promotes India in a holistic manner, through various initiatives. As part of on-
going activities; promotion of Rural homestays and Rural Tourism is also taken up. The Ministry of
Tourism also regularly promotes various tourism destinations and products of rural tourism through its
website and social media promotions.
In order to provide impetus for development of Green and Eco Tourism in the country, Ministry of
Tourism formulated National Strategies for Eco Tourism and Sustainable Tourism and initiated Travel for
LiFE programme to promote sustainable tourism in the country and to encourage the tourists and tourism
businesses to adopt sustainable tourism practices.
This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in
a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
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Sunil Kumar Tiwari
tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com(Release ID: 2222135) Visitor Counter : 178
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