**Executive Summary**
This document, released by the Ministry of Tourism, outlines initiatives to promote rural tourism in India. It mentions the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, its revamped version 2.0, and the 'Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan'. The document was released on January 29, 2024.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **General Promotion of Tourism:**
* The Ministry of Tourism undertakes the development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including rural tourism. This is done through various initiatives and via its website and social media promotions.
* The Ministry classifies homestay facilities under its Incredible India Bed & Breakfast Establishments scheme.
* **Swadesh Darshan Scheme:**
* Rural Circuit is identified as one of the thematic circuits under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
* Projects for tourism-related infrastructure development, including rural tourism, are identified as per guidelines and in consultation with State Governments/UT Administrations.
* The Swadesh Darshan Scheme has been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations with a tourist & destination-centric approach.
* **Sustainable Tourism:**
* Environmental Sustainability is a key pillar in the National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism.
* The Travel for LiFE program encourages tourists and tourism businesses to adopt sustainable tourism practices.
* **'Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan':**
* The government has approved the development of tribal home-stays under this scheme, as part of Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
* This includes the development of 1000 homestays with financial support: up to Rs. 5 Lakh per unit (for new construction), up to Rs. 3 Lakh (renovation), and Rs. 5 Lakh for village community requirement.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: State Governments / UT Administrations**
* **Impact:** Required to consult on tourism development projects under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
* **Action Required:** Consult with the Ministry of Tourism on the projects/proposals for development of tourism related infrastructure, including rural tourism.
**Stakeholder: Tourism Businesses**
* **Impact:** Encouraged to adopt sustainable tourism practices through the Travel for LiFE program.
* **Action Required:** Implement sustainable tourism practices.
**Stakeholder: Tourists**
* **Impact:** Encouraged to adopt sustainable tourism practices through the Travel for LiFE program.
* **Action Required:** Participate in sustainable tourism practices.
**Stakeholder: Tribal Communities**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to develop home-stays under the 'Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan' with financial support.
* **Action Required:** Participate in the 'Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan' scheme by building or renovating homestays in the region.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: Central entity responsible for promoting tourism in India and implementing related schemes.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: Scheme by the Ministry of Tourism for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in India, focused on developing sustainable tourism destinations
National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism: A framework formulated by the Ministry to promote environmentally sustainable practices in the tourism sector.
Travel for LiFE: Programme initiated to encourage tourists and tourism businesses to adopt sustainable tourism practices.
Ministry of Tourism
PROMOTION OF RURAL TOURISM
प्रव तथ: 29 JAN 2026 4:12PM 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.
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.
The Ministry of Tourism under its voluntary scheme of classification of Incredible India Bed & Breakfast
Establishments classifies homestay facilities in the country.
Ministry of Tourism has identified Rural Circuit as one of the thematic circuits under its Swadesh Darshan
Scheme. The projects/proposals for development of tourism related infrastructure, including rural tourism,
are identified for development under the circuit as per guidelines in consultation with the State
Governments / UT Administrations.
The Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Ministry has been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 with the
objective to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations following a tourist & destination
centric approach.
Environmental Sustainability is a key pillar in the National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism formulated
by the Ministry and circulated to the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. In line with
the strategy, Travel for LiFE programme was initiated to encourage tourists and tourism businesses to
adopt sustainable tourism practices.
The Government has approved the initiative to develop tribal home-stays under Swadesh Darshan
Scheme, as part of ‘Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan’. The said intervention includes
development of 1000 homestays with support of upto Rs.5 Lakh per unit (for new construction), up to
Rs.3 Lakh (renovation) and Rs.5 Lakh for village community requirement.This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in
a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
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Sunil Kumar Tiwari
tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2220116) आगंतुक पटल : 137
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu , ही