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 24×7 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
- 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:
| Sn | State | Destination | Name of the Experience | Sanction Date | Sanctioned Cost (in ₹ Crore) |
|
|
Andhra Pradesh | Bapatala | Development of Suryalanka Beach Experience | 29.03.2025 | 97.52 |
|
|
Bihar | Bodh Gaya | Development of the Buddhist Meditation & Experience Centre, Bodh Gaya | 29.03.2025 | 165.44 |
|
|
Chhattisgarh | Kawardha | Bhoramdeo Corridor Development, Kawardha | 29.03.2025 | 146.00 |
|
|
DNHDD | Daman | Daman Convention Centre | 29.03.2025 | 147.13 |
|
|
Goa | Porvorim | Porvorim Creek Experience | 20.08.2024 | 24.07 |
|
|
Goa | Colva | Colva Beach Experience | 20.08.2024 | 19.88 |
|
|
Haryana | Panchkula | Development of Adventure Tourism Hub at Tikkar Taal and Adventure Park | 29.03.2025 | 26.68 |
|
|
Haryana | Panchkula | Rejuvenation of Yadavindra Garden | 29.03.2025 | 65.82 |
|
|
Himachal Pradesh | Chintpurni | Development of Maa Chintpurni Devi Temple, Una | 04.07.2025 | 56.26 |
|
|
Kerala | Alappuzha | Alappuzha: A Global Water Wonderland | 29.03.2025 | 93.18 |
|
|
Kerala | Malampuzha | Enhancement of Tourist Experience at Malampuzha Garden and Leisure Park | 29.03.2025 | 75.87 |
|
|
Lakshadweep | Bangaram | Development of Eco-Retreat, Adventure, Beach and Mice Experience at Bangaram | 29.03.2025 | 81.18 |
|
|
Madhya Pradesh | Datia | Development of Pitambara Peeth Datia | 14.07.2025 | 44.24 |
|
|
Maharashtra | Pune | Shivshrusthi Theme Park | 21.09.2024 | 75.47 |
|
|
Mizoram | Champhai | Eco Resort Experience at Keilungliah, Zote, Ngur & Mualbuhvum, Champhai | 29.03.2025 | 38.85 |
|
|
Mizoram | Champhai | Heritage and Cultural Centre, Champhai | 29.03.2025 | 33.87 |
|
|
Mizoram | Aizawl | Construction of Conference Centre | 10.11.2025 | 99.71 |
|
|
Nagaland | Chumoukedima | Adventure Tourism Experience at Jacob Village, Chumoukediema | 29.03.2025 | 32.54 |
|
|
Nagaland | Chumoukedima | Eco-Tourism Exp at Chumoukedima viewpoint | 20.08.2024 | 7.87 |
|
|
Punjab | Amritsar | Border Tourism Experience at Attari | 20.08.2024 | 25.91 |
|
|
Rajasthan | Sikar | Development works at Shri Khatu Shyam Ji Temple (Sikar) | 29.03.2025 | 87.87 |
|
|
Rajasthan | Bikaner dist. | Development Works at Shri Karni mata mandir, Bikaner | 14.07.2025 | 22.58 |
|
|
Rajasthan | Malaseri Dungari (District Bhilwara) | Development of Malaseri Dungri, Bhilwara District | 14.07.2025 | 48.73 |
|
|
Tripura | Agartala | Tripura Heritage Village & Sangeet Experience at Agartala (Phase-1 &2) | 29.03.2025 | 48.95 |
| Total | 1565.62 | ||||
- 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:
| Sn | State | Destination/ Category | Name of the Experience | Sanction Date | Sanctioned Cost (in ₹ Crore) |
|
|
Andhra Pradesh | Nagarjuna Sagar (Culture & Heritage) |
Enriching Buddhist Heritage and Cultural Experiences at Nagarjuna Sagar | 17.03.2025 | 25.00 |
|
|
Andhra Pradesh | Ahobilam Temple (Spiritual Tourism) |
Development of Abhobilam as a Spiritual Odyssey | 17.03.2025 | 25.00 |
|
|
Arunachal Pradesh | Kibitho (Vibrant Village Programme) |
Kibhito Frontier Tourism – Gateway to Serenity | 27.03.2025 | 4.96 |
|
|
Arunachal Pradesh | Bichom Dam Site (Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites) |
Bichom Dam Adventure & Eco-Tourism Project | 27.03.2025 | 9.90 |
|
|
Assam | Sivasagar (Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites) |
Panidhing Bird Sanctuary | 27.03.2025 | 9.99 |
|
|
Bihar | Saran Dist. (Sonepur Fair) (Culture & Heritage) | Development of Sonepur Fair Site | 27.03.2025 | 24.29 |
|
|
Chhattisgarh | Mayali Bagicha (Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites) |
Development of Mayali Bagicha as Eco Tourism Destination | 27.03.2025 | 9.97 |
|
|
Goa | Mayem Village (Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites) |
Beautification and Development of Harvalem Waterfall | 17.03.2025 | 9.81 |
|
|
Gujarat | Vadnagar (Culture & Heritage) |
Transformation of Sharmishtha Lake: Light & Culture | 27.03.2025 | 17.29 |
|
|
Gujarat | Porbandar (Spiritual Tourism) |
The Sacred Ocean Retreat at Harsiddhi Shore | 27.03.2025 | 24.66 |
|
|
Himachal Pradesh | Kaza (Culture & Heritage) |
Tourism Infrastructure development at Kaza | 27.03.2025 | 24.82 |
|
|
Himachal Pradesh | Rakchham (Vibrant Village Programme) |
Tourism Infrastructure Development at Rakcham – Vibrant Village | 27.03.2025 | 4.96 |
|
|
Jharkhand | Ramrekha Dham (Spiritual Tourism) |
Tourism Infrastructure Development at Ramrekha Dham | 27.03.2025 | 18.87 |
|
|
Karnataka | Bidar (Culture & Heritage) |
Development of Bidar as a Heritage Tourism Destination | 21.01.2026 | 25.00 |
|
|
Kerala | Varkala (Culture & Heritage) |
Varkala-Dakshin Kashi | 27.03.2025 | 25.00 |
|
|
Kerala | Thalassery (Spiritual Tourism) |
Thalassery: The Spritiual Nexus | 27.03.2025 | 25.00 |
|
|
Ladakh | Mushkoo Village (Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites) |
Advancing Mushkoo as a Sustainable Tourism Hub: Integrating Wildlife Sightings and Community Progress | 27.03.2025 | 9.78 |
|
|
Madhya Pradesh | Orchha (Spiritual Tourism) |
Orchha A Medieval Splendour 2.0 | 17.03.2025 | 25.00 |
|
|
Madhya Pradesh | Mandu (Culture & Heritage) |
Mandu-A Medieval Wonder | 21.01.2026 | 24.88 |
|
|
Maharashtra | Ahmednagar (Culture & Heritage) |
Development of Ahmednagar Fort | 17.03.2025 | 25.00 |
|
|
Manipur | Langthabal Konug, Imphal (Culture & Heritage) |
Development of Ancient Capital of Manipur, Langthabal Konug | 17.03.2025 | 24.69 |
|
|
Meghalaya | Nartiang Village (Spiritual Tourism) |
Nartiang Spiritual & Cultural Centre | 17.03.2025 | 24.87 |
|
|
Meghalaya | Mawphlang Village (Culture & Heritage) |
Mawphlang Cultural & Heritage Centre | 17.03.2025 | 24.87 |
|
|
Nagaland | Impur Village (Spiritual Tourism) |
Soulful Trails: The Impur Heritage Experience | 17.03.2025 | 24.94 |
|
|
Nagaland | Doyang Reservoir (Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites) |
Wings Over Doyang: An Eco-Tourism Haven | 17.03.2025 | 9.99 |
|
|
Puducherry | White Town (Culture & Heritage) |
Development of White Town | 27.03.2025 | 22.19 |
|
|
Punjab | Rupnagar (Anandpur Sahib) (Spiritual Tourism) |
Heritage Street –A Symbol of Peace and Harmony at Sri Anandpur Sahib | 27.03.2025 | 24.90 |
|
|
Punjab | Ferozpur (Hussainiwala Border)- (Culture & Heritage) |
Cultural and Heritage Strech at Hussainiwala Border | 27.03.2025 | 25.00 |
|
|
Sikkim | Kabi (Spiritual Tourism) |
Kabi Chronicles: A journey through Unity and Heritage | 17.03.2025 | 24.96 |
|
|
Sikkim | Gnathang Village (Vibrant Village Programme) |
Echoes of Valor: The Gnathang Valley Experience | 17.03.2025 | 5.00 |
|
|
Tamil Nadu | Rameswaram Island (Spiritual Tourism) |
Iconic transformation of Rameswaram | 27.03.2025 | 20.01 |
|
|
Telangana | Nalgonda (Culture & Heritage) |
Development of digital experience centre at Bhuddhavanam | 17.03.2025 | 24.85 |
|
|
Telangana | Kamareddy (Kalki Cheruvu) (Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites) |
Development of Eco-Tourism Project at Nizam Sagar | 17.03.2025 | 9.98 |
|
|
Uttar Pradesh | Mahoba (Culture & Heritage) |
Development of Cultural Landscape at Mahoba | 27.03.2025 | 24.98 |
|
|
Uttarakhand | Jadung (Vibrant Village Programme) | Development of Jadung Festive Ground, Jadung | 27.03.2025 | 4.99 |
|
|
Uttarakhand | Kainchidham (Spiritual Tourism) |
Development of Kainchi Dham Campus | 27.03.2025 | 17.60 |
|
|
Uttarakhand | Mana Village (Vibrant Village Programme) | Mana Haat | 29.03.2025 | 4.99 |
| Total | 687.99 | ||||
- The details of projects sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme in financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26 in the country are as under:
| Sn | State | Sanction Year | Project Name | Sanction Amount
(in ₹ Crore) |
|
|
Andhra Pradesh | 2024-25 | Development of Pilgrimage Tourism Infrastructure in Annavaram Temple Town | 25.33 |
|
|
Bihar | 2024-25 | Development of Ambika Bhawani Temple, Saran | 13.29 |
|
|
Goa | 2024-25 | Development of Bom Jesus Basilica | 16.46 |
|
|
Karnataka | 2024-25 | Development of Renuka Yallama Devi temple | 18.37 |
|
|
Karnataka | 2024-25 | Development of Basic Amenities at Papnash Temple, Bidar dist. | 22.25 |
|
|
Mizoram | 2024-25 | Development of Basic Amenities under PRASHAD scheme in Vangchhia, Champhai District | 5.47 |
|
|
Puducherry | 2024-25 | Development of Pilgrim Facilites & Tourist attractions for Sri Dharbaranyeswara Temple | 25.94 |
|
|
Tamil Nadu | 2024-25 | Development of 8 Navagraha Temples | 40.94 |
|
|
Telangana | 2024-25 | Development of Basic Amenities at goddess Renuka Yellama Devasthanam | 4.22 |
| Total | 172.27 | |||
- Details of Projects sanctioned under ACA Scheme in financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26 in the country are as under:
| Sn. | Agency | Name of Project | State | Sanction Year
|
Amount sanctioned
(in ₹ Crore) |
| 1. | ITDC | Illumination and allied works at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, District – Ariyalur | Tamil Nadu | 2024-25 | 11.47 |
| 2. | BECIL | 3D Mapping with Aqua Screen Projection and Sound Show at Buxar, Bihar and Dynamic Lighting & Motif at Ram Rekha Ghat, Bihar | Bihar | 2024-25 | 5.99 |
| TOTAL | 17.46 | ||||
- Details of Projects sanctioned under ‘Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas’ under DA-JUGA a Sub-Scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0, in financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26 in the country are as under:
| Sn. | State | Sanction Year | Project Name | Sanction Amount
(in ₹ Crore) |
|
|
Andhra Pradesh | 2025-26 | Development of Tribal Homestays in Maredumili cluster, Andhra Pradesh | 1.23 |
|
|
Ladakh | 2025-26 | Development of Tribal Homestays in Sham, Suru and Aryan valley clusters, Ladakh | 4.59 |
|
|
Madhya Pradesh | 2025-26 | Development of Tribal Homestays in Karanjiya and Pushparajgarh clusters, Madhya Pradesh | 5.00 |
|
|
Mizoram | 2025-26 | Development of Tribal Homestays in Central and Southern clusters, Mizoram | 5.00 |
|
|
Uttarakhand | 2025-26 | Development of Tribal Homestays in Chakrata cluster, Uttarakhand | 1.70 |
| Total | 17.52 | |||
- The details of projects sanctioned Under Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment Scheme (SASCI) in financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26 in the country are as under:
| Sn | State | Year of Sanction | Name of the Project | Sanctioned Cost (in ₹ Crore) |
|
|
Andhra Pradesh | 2024-25 | Enriching the Fort and Gorge Experience in Gandikota | 77.91 |
|
|
Andhra Pradesh | 2024-25 | Akhanda Godavari- (Havelok Bridge & Pushkar Ghat) in Raja Mahendravaram | 94.44 |
|
|
Arunachal Pradesh | 2024-25 | Siang Adventure & Eco-Retreat in Pasighat | 46.48 |
|
|
Assam | 2024-25 | Assam State Zoo Cum Botanical Garden in Guwahati | 97.12 |
|
|
Assam | 2024-25 | Beautification of Rang Ghar in Sivasagar | 94.76 |
|
|
Bihar | 2024-25 | Development of Matsyagandha Lake in Saharsa | 97.61 |
|
|
Bihar | 2024-25 | Karamchat Eco-Tourism and Adventure Hub in Karamchat | 49.51 |
|
|
Chhattisgarh | 2024-25 | Development of Chitrotpala Film City in Raipur | 95.79 |
|
|
Chhattisgarh | 2024-25 | Development of Tribal & Cultural Convention Centre in Raipur | 51.87 |
|
|
Goa | 2024-25 | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum in Ponda | 97.46 |
|
|
Goa | 2024-25 | Townsquare in Porvorim | 90.74 |
|
|
Gujarat | 2024-25 | Ecotourism Destination at Kerly (Mokarsagar) in Porbandar | 99.50 |
|
|
Gujarat | 2024-25 | Tented City and Convention Centre in Dhordo | 51.56 |
|
|
Jharkhand | 2024-25 | Eco-Tourism Development of Tilaiyya” in Koderma | 34.87 |
|
|
Karnataka | 2024-25 | Ecotourism & Cultural Hub at Roerich and Devika Rani Estate Tataguni in Bengaluru | 99.17 |
|
|
Karnataka | 2024-25 | Development of SavadattiYallammagudda in Belgavi | 100.00 |
|
|
Kerala | 2024-25 | Ashtamudi Biodiversity and Eco-recreational Hub in Kollam | 59.71 |
|
|
Kerala | 2024-25 | Global Gateway to Malabar’s Cultural Crucible in Sargaalayaa | 95.34 |
|
|
Madhya Pradesh | 2024-25 | Orchha A Medieval Splendour in Orchha | 99.92 |
|
|
Madhya Pradesh | 2024-25 | International Convention Centre for MICE in Bhopal | 99.38 |
|
|
Maharashtra | 2024-25 | INS-Guldar Underwater Museum, Artificial Reef, and submarine Tourism in Sindhudurg | 46.91 |
|
|
Maharashtra | 2024-25 | Development of RAM-KAL PATH in Nashik | 99.14 |
|
|
Manipur | 2024-25 | Loktak Lake Experience in Loktak | 89.48 |
|
|
Meghalaya | 2024-25 | MICE Infrastructure in Mawkhanu | 99.27 |
|
|
Meghalaya | 2024-25 | Redevelopment of Umiam Lake in Shillong | 99.27 |
|
|
Odisha | 2024-25 | Development of Hirakund | 99.90 |
|
|
Odisha | 2024-25 | Development of Satkosia | 99.99 |
|
|
Punjab | 2024-25 | Development of Heritage Street as a tribute to Shaheed-e-Azam, Sardar Bhaghat Singh at Khatkar Kalan in SBS Nagar | 53.45 |
|
|
Rajasthan | 2024-25 | Development at Amber-Nahargarh and Surrounding Area in Jaipur | 49.31 |
|
|
Rajasthan | 2024-25 | Development at Jal Mahal in Jaipur | 96.61 |
|
|
Sikkim | 2024-25 | Skywalk, Bhaleydhunga, Yangang in Namchi | 97.37 |
|
|
Sikkim | 2024-25 | Border Experience in Nathula | 68.19 |
|
|
Tamil Nadu | 2024-25 | Development of Nandavanam Heritage Park in Mammallapuram | 99.67 |
|
|
Tamil Nadu | 2024-25 | Eco Park at Race Course in Ooty | 70.23 |
|
|
Telangana | 2024-25 | Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism Circuit in Ramappa | 73.74 |
|
|
Telangana | 2024-25 | Somasilla Wellness & Spiritual Retreat in Nallamala | 68.10 |
|
|
Tripura | 2024-25 | Shakti Peethas Park at Banduar in Gomati | 97.70 |
|
|
Uttar Pradesh | 2024-25 | Development of Bateshwar in District-Agra | 74.05 |
|
|
Uttar Pradesh | 2024-25 | Integrated Buddhist Tourism Development in Shrawasti | 80.24 |
|
|
Uttarakhand | 2024-25 | Iconic City Rishikesh: Rafting Base Station in Rishikesh | 100.00 |
| Total | 3295.76 | |||
Janice Alyosius is a travel and MICE journalist focusing on business travel, destination marketing, aviation and industry policy. She leads editorial content at MICEtalk and also writes for TravTalk, covering global trends, trade developments and key industry conversations. With regular reporting from tourism forums, conventions and on-ground industry events, her work blends news-led analysis with strong industry voices, offering clear context and relevance for travel trade professionals and decision-makers.