**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer provided by the Minister of Tourism on 02.02.2026 in response to an unstarred question regarding the "National Strategy and Roadmap for Development of Rural Tourism in India." It outlines government initiatives to promote rural and eco-tourism, especially in tribal areas, through homestay development and sustainable tourism practices. The document references various schemes and guidelines aimed at state governments/union territories (UTs) to facilitate the development and promotion of tourist destinations.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Rural Tourism Development**
* Development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including rural tourism, are undertaken by respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administrations.
* **Homestay Development in Tribal Areas**
* The Ministry of Tourism has issued guidelines and a template for proposal formulation by State Governments/UT Administrations for 'Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas' under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA).
* This initiative aims to develop homestays in tribal areas to promote responsible tourism and enhance livelihood opportunities.
* The initiative includes development of 1000 homestays with financial support:
* Up to ₹5 lakh for village community requirements.
* Up to ₹5 lakh for construction of two new rooms per household.
* Up to ₹3 lakh for renovation of existing rooms per household.
* **Sustainable Tourism**
* Guidelines for ‘Challenge Based Destination Development’ have been formulated as a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme to enhance tourist experience and transform tourist destinations into sustainable and responsible destinations.
* The Ministry of Tourism promotes India holistically through various initiatives.
* Rural homestays and Rural Tourism promotion is an ongoing activity.
* The Ministry of Tourism promotes tourism destinations and rural tourism products through its website and social media.
* **Green and Eco Tourism**
* The Ministry of Tourism formulated National Strategies for Eco Tourism and Sustainable Tourism.
* The Ministry has initiated the Travel for LIFE programme to promote sustainable tourism and encourage adoption of sustainable practices by tourists and tourism businesses.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including rural tourism, within their respective jurisdictions.
* **Action Required:** Formulate proposals based on Ministry of Tourism guidelines for developing homestays in tribal areas and implement sustainable tourism practices.
**Tribal Communities**
* **Impact:** Potential for enhanced livelihood opportunities through participation in homestay programs and responsible tourism.
* **Action Required:** Engage with local initiatives and guidelines for the development of homestays.
**Homestay Owners**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to develop/renovate their homestays with financial support to accommodate tourists.
* **Action Required:** Upskill and train to provide good quality homestay services to tourists.
**Tourists**
* **Impact:** Encouraged to adopt sustainable tourism practices.
* **Action Required:** Promote sustainable tourism.
**Tourism Businesses**
* **Impact:** Encouraged to adopt sustainable tourism practices.
* **Action Required:** Adopt sustainable tourism practices.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: Central ministry responsible for formulating and implementing policies for the development and promotion of tourism in India.
National Strategy and Roadmap for Development of Rural Tourism in India: A strategic document outlining the plan for developing rural tourism in India.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: A scheme to develop theme-based tourist circuits in India.
Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA): Initiative to develop homestays in tribal areas.
Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme: A scheme for developing tourist destinations based on challenges and sustainability criteria.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.321
ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026
NATIONAL STRATEGY AND ROADMAP
FOR DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL TOURISM
321. SHRI NAVEEN JINDAL:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the progress made in implementing the "National
Strategy and Roadmap for Development of Rural Tourism in India",
particularly concerning the creation of homestay guidelines and the
involvement of local tribal communities;
(b) the details of the measures taken/being taken to promote "Green
and Eco Tourism" in ecologically sensitive areas, including the
development of wildlife sanctuaries, while ensuring community
benefit and minimal environmental impact; and
(c) the manner in which the Government ensures/is ensuring that new
tourism projects under the Challenge Based Destination
Development (CBDD) Scheme adhere to strict sustainability criteria,
such as waste management, waste-water recovery and the use of
renewable energy source?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (c): 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 topromote 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.
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