New Delhi, 21 July: The Ministry of Tourism has undertaken several initiatives during the last two years to promote tourism through infrastructure development, digital promotion and expansion of basic amenities across the country.

The Ministry provides Central Financial Assistance to State Governments and Union Territory Administrations under the schemes of Swadesh Darshan 2.0, Challenge Based Destination Development, Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA JUGA) for development of tourism infrastructure and augmentation of basic amenities, subject to the scheme guidelines and availability of funds. Further, under the Government of India initiative Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale, financial assistance was provided to States during 2024-25 for tourism projects.

In the last two years, the Ministry has sanctioned 117 projects worth Rs. 5756.62 crores, under the afore-mentioned Schemes. The State/UT-wise details of Central Financial Assistance sanctioned under these schemes during the last two financial years are given at Annexure.

The Ministry promotes tourism through the Incredible India Digital Platform, comprising the website and mobile application, which serves as a one-stop digital interface for domestic and international travellers. The revamped portal, launched in September 2024, is available in multiple languages and offers curated travel content, essential information, and seamless booking of flights, hotels, cabs, buses, and ASI monument tickets through partnerships with Online Travel Agents (OTAs) and other stakeholders. Promotion is further supported through official social media platforms, digital campaigns, and collaborations with social media influencers.

The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) initiative is implemented by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, the nodal Ministry for the EBSB. However, under the EBSB initiative, the Ministry of Tourism is also implementing several programmes through tourism events and institutional activities. The Ministry organises its flagship event Bharat Parv every year as part of the Republic Day celebrations with participation from all States and Union Territories to showcase India's cultural heritage, tourism potential and diverse traditions. Under this initiative, the Ministry also participated in Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2025 at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat.

Further, the Ministry's Central Autonomous Bodies, including 21 Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs), the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM), the Indian Culinary Institute (ICI) and India Tourism Offices regularly organise student exchange programmes, familiarisation visits, tour operator networking sessions, cultural programmes, regional cuisine festivals, language-learning activities and other activities highlighting the culture, traditions, cuisine and heritage of paired States and Union Territories under the EBSB initiative. These initiatives promote cultural tourism, foster people-to-people connect, strengthen national integration and reinforce the spirit of national pride.

The Ministry has taken several measures to enhance international tourist arrivals, improve ease of travel and promote niche tourism products. India is promoted in key international source markets through tourism roadshows, trade meetings, familiarisation visits, media and social media campaigns, food festivals and participation in major international tourism fairs and exhibitions in collaboration with Indian Missions, States/UTs and tourism stakeholders.

To improve ease of travel, the Government has liberalised and simplified the visa regime through the e-Visa facility, which is currently available under nine sub-categories for nationals of 174 countries. The Ministry also provides a 24x7 Multi-lingual Tourist Helpline and has also introduced the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification (IITFC) Programme to create a pool of professionally trained tourist facilitators and guides, while existing Regional Level Guides have been integrated into the Incredible India Tourist Guide (IITG) system with pan-India recognition. Further, the Ministry is working with the Ministry of Civil Aviation to improve connectivity to tourist destinations under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN), under which 53 tourism routes have been identified, and regularly coordinates with the Ministry of Home Affairs on measures relating to travel in Restricted and Protected Areas to facilitate seamless travel for tourists.

The Ministry promotes niche tourism products such as spiritual, eco, adventure, rural, tribal, wellness, medical, MICE, wedding and heritage tourism through policy initiatives, infrastructure development and promotional activities. It has formulated National Strategies for Sustainable Tourism, Rural Tourism, Rural Homestays, MICE, Adventure Tourism, Eco-tourism and Medical & Wellness Tourism for implementation by States/UTs. The Ministry has also launched the "Meet in India" sub-brand for MICE tourism, the "India Says I Do" campaign for destination weddings and issued the Model Adventure Tourism Safety Framework for safe and sustainable adventure tourism. 

The written reply was given by the Minister of Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in the Lok Sabha on 20.07.2026.

ANNEXURE

1. The details of sanctioned projects under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme in financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26 in the country are as under:

2.         The details of sanctioned projects under Challenge Based Destination Development Scheme, in financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26 in the country are as under: