Parliament Question: Tourism Competitiveness and Global Promotion of India

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2315 ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 TOURISM COMPETITIVENESS AND GLOBAL PROMOTION OF INDIA †2315. SHRI ALOK SHARMA: SMT. SANJNA JATAV: SHRI DINESHBHAI MAKWANA: DR. VINOD KUMAR BIND: SHRI DILIP SAIKIA: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: DR. MANNA LAL RAWAT: SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI: SHRI LUMBARAM CHOUDHARY: SHRI P C MOHAN: SHRI MANISH JAISWAL: SHRI RAMVIR SINGH BIDHURI: SHRI ANUP SANJAY DHOTRE: SMT. SMITA UDAY WAGH: SHRI MAHENDRA SINGH SOLANKY: DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY: SMT. KAMLESH JANGDE: SHRI SURESH KUMAR KASHYAP: DR. HEMANT VISHNU SAVARA: SHRI KANWAR SINGH TANWAR: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) the details of the steps taken to strengthen the global competitiveness of India's tourism sector through digital platforms, destination branding and international marketing campaigns thereof along with included destinations of Madhya Pradesh, particularlyDewas–Shajapur Lok Sabha Constituency and Himachal Pradesh, especially the Shimla Lok Sabha Constituency; (b) whether any digital ecosystem has been developed to integrate tourist services, destination information, bookings and grievance redressal through a unified platform and, if so, the details thereof, especially in Palghar in Maharashtra for Coastal tourism development and Himachal Pradesh along with registered destinations, users and services under it; (c) whether the Government has formulated any strategy to promote niche tourism segments, including wedding tourism, wellness tourism, cruise tourism, coastal tourism, rural tourism and spiritual tourism across the country; (d) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise, particularly for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan especially Bharatpur Lok Sabha Constituency and approved projects, financial assistance, number of tourists and employment generation district-wise in Himachal Pradesh, especially the Shimla Lok Sabha Constituency; (e) the details along with the measures taken to improve international tourist arrivals, average tourist expenditure and the contribution of tourism to employment and economic growth to GDP along with assessment of impact of the said initiatives thereof, particularly in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, including Jalgaon Lok Sabha Constituency and Palghar for Coastal tourism development during the last three years; (f) whether the Government proposes to promote tourism infrastructure and digitally integrated tourist destinations in Jalgaon Lok Sabha Constituency and if so, the details thereof; and (g) whether the Government proposes financial or infrastructure support for developing tourism circuits and heritage destinations in Dewas– Shajapur? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (g): The Ministry of Tourism promotes tourism destinations and experiences across the country, including those in Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, through a range of domestic and international promotional initiatives aimed at enhancing the global competitiveness of India's tourism sector. These initiatives includeparticipation in international travel fairs and exhibitions, roadshows, integrated marketing campaigns, and digital and social media outreach. The Ministry has developed the Incredible India Digital Platform (IIDP) as a unified digital platform providing destination information, multilingual content, curated itineraries and integration with booking services for flights, hotels, cabs, buses and ASI monument tickets through partner platforms across the country. The Ministry has formulated National Strategies for Sustainable Tourism, Rural Tourism, Rural Homestays, MICE Tourism, Adventure Tourism, Medical & Wellness Tourism and Eco-tourism and circulated them to all State Governments and UT Administrations for implementation. The Ministry also promotes niche tourism segments, including wedding, wellness, cruise, coastal, rural and spiritual tourism, through its domestic and international promotional initiatives. Identification and development of tourism destinations is primarily the responsibility of the concerned State Governments/UT Administrations. The Ministry complements these efforts by providing financial assistance under the Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) and SASCI schemes, subject to scheme guidelines. The details of projects sanctioned in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh are enclosed at Annexure. The Ministry does not maintain constituency-wise data of international tourist arrivals, tourist expenditure, contribution of tourism to GDP and employment. *******ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (G) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2315 ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 REGARDING TOURISM COMPETITIVENESS AND GLOBAL PROMOTION OF INDIA RAISED BY SHRI ALOK SHARMA, SMT. SANJNA JATAV, SHRI DINESHBHAI MAKWANA, DR. VINOD KUMAR BIND, SHRI DILIP SAIKIA, SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, DR. MANNA LAL RAWAT, SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI, SHRI LUMBARAM CHOUDHARY, SHRI P C MOHAN, SHRI MANISH JAISWAL, SHRI RAMVIR SINGH BIDHURI, SHRI ANUP SANJAY DHOTRE, SMT. SMITA UDAY WAGH, SHRI MAHENDRA SINGH SOLANKY, DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY, SMT. KAMLESH JANGDE, SHRI SURESH KUMAR KASHYAP, DR. HEMANT VISHNU SAVARA, SHRI KANWAR SINGH TANWAR List of the projects sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism in Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan under its various infrastructure schemes: Himachal Pradesh S. Name of Project Scheme Sanction No. Cost (in ₹ Crore) 1. Integrated Development of Himalayan Swadesh 68.34 Circuit: Kiarighat, Shimla, Hatkoti, Darshan 1.0 Manali, Kangra, Dharamshala, Bir, Palampur and Chamba (March 2017) 2. Development of Maa Chintpurni Devi Swadesh 56.26 Temple, Una (July 2025) Darshan 2.0 3. Tourism Infrastructure Development at CBDD 24.82 Kaza under Culture & Heritage (March 2025) 4. Tourism Infrastructure Development at CBDD 4.96 Rakchham, Chhitkul under Vibrant Villages Programme (March 2025) Total Sanction Cost 154.38 Madhya Pradesh S. Name of Project Scheme Sanction No. Cost(in ₹ Crore) 1. Development of Wildlife Circuit at Swadesh 92.10 Panna–Mukundpur–Sanjay–Dubri– Darshan 1.0 Bandhavgarh–Kanha–Mukki–Pench (December 2015) 2. Development of Sanchi–Satna–Rewa– Swadesh 74.02 Mandsaur–Dhar (July 2016) Darshan 1.0 3. Development of Gwalior–Orchha– Swadesh 89.82 Khajuraho–Chanderi–Bhimbetka– Darshan 1.0 Mandu (September 2016) 4. Development of Gandhisagar Dam– Swadesh 93.76 Mandleshwar Dam–Omkareshwar Dam– Darshan 1.0 Indira Sagar Dam–Tawa Dam–Bargi Dam–Bhedaghat–Bansagar Dam–Ken River (September 2017) 5. Spiritual Experience at Chitrakoot Swadesh 27.22 (March 2024) Darshan 2.0 6. Phoolbagh Experience Zone (February Swadesh 16.74 2024) Darshan 2.0 7. Development of Pitambara Peeth, Datia Swadesh 44.24 (July 2025) Darshan 2.0 8. Orchha – A Medieval Splendour 2.0 CBDD 25.00 (March 2025) 9. Mandu – A Medieval Wonder (January CBDD 24.88 2026) 10. Development of Amarkantak (January PRASHAD 49.99 2021) 11. Development of Omkareshwar (June PRASHAD 43.93 2017; Revised December 2022) 12. International Convention Centre for SASCI 99.38 MICE (November 2024) 13. Orchha – A Medieval Splendour SASCI 99.92 (November 2024) Total Sanction Cost 781.00 Maharashtra S. Name of Project Scheme Sanction No. Cost(in ₹ Crore) 1. Development of Sindhudurg Coastal Swadesh 19.06 Circuit – Sagareshwar, Tarkarli, Darshan 1.0 Vijaydurg (Beach & Creek) and Mitbhav (March 2016) 2. Development of Waki–Adasa– Swadesh 45.47 Dhapewada–Paradsingha–Telankhedi– Darshan 1.0 Girad (May 2018) 3. Shivsrushti Historical Theme Park – Swadesh 75.47 Phase 3, Pune (September 2025) Darshan 2.0 4. Development of Ahmednagar Fort CBDD 25.00 (March 2025) 5. Development of Trimbakeshwar, PRASHAD 45.41 Nashik (January 2018; Revised February 2025) 6. RAM-KAL PATH, Nashik (November SASCI 99.14 2024) 7. Ex-INS Guldar Underwater Museum, SASCI 46.91 Artificial Reef and Submarine Tourism, Sindhudurg (November 2024) Total Sanction Cost 356.46 Rajasthan S. Name of Project Scheme Sanction No. Cost (in ₹ Crore) 1. Development of Sambhar Lake Town Swadesh 50.01 and Other Destinations in Jaipur Darshan 1.0 District (September 2015) 2. Integrated Development of Govind Dev Swadesh 75.80 Ji Temple (Jaipur), Khatu Shyam Ji Darshan 1.0 (Sikar) and Nathdwara (Rajsamand) (September 2016) 3. Development of Spiritual Circuit: Churu Swadesh 87.05 (Salasar Balaji)–Jaipur–Viratnagar– Darshan 1.0Bharatpur–Dholpur–Mehandipur Balaji– Chittorgarh (March 2017) 4. Development of Heritage Circuit: Swadesh 70.61 Rajsamand–Jaipur–Jhalawar– Darshan 1.0 Chittorgarh–Jaisalmer–Hanumangarh– Udaipur–Dholpur–Nagaur–Tonk (June 2017) 5. Spiritual Experience, Keshavraipatan Swadesh 21.65 (February 2024, Revised June 2025) Darshan 2.0 6. Development Works at Shri Khatu Swadesh 87.87 Shyam Ji Temple, Sikar (March 2025) Darshan 2.0 7. Development Works at Shri Karni Mata Swadesh 22.58 Mandir, Bikaner (July 2025) Darshan 2.0 8. Development of Malaseri Dungri, Swadesh 48.73 Bhilwara District (July 2025) Darshan 2.0 9. Integrated Development of PRASHAD 32.64 Pushkar/Ajmer (October 2015) 10. Development at Amber-Nahargarh and SASCI 49.31 Surrounding Area (November 2024) 11. Development at Jal Mahal (November SASCI 96.61 2024) Total Sanction Cost 642.86 *****