Enhancing India’s Tourism: Key Initiatives and Safety Measures by the Ministry of Tourism
The Ministry of Tourism is actively enhancing India’s tourism infrastructure through various initiatives, including the ‘Swadesh Darshan’ and ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ schemes. These programs provide financial assistance to State Governments (SGs) and Union Territory Administrations (UTAs) to develop tourism facilities, contingent upon the submission of detailed project reports (DPRs) and the availability of funds.
Under these initiatives, the Ministry has sanctioned 76 projects amounting to ₹5,287.90 crore under Swadesh Darshan and 48 projects for ₹1,620.21 crore in the PRASHAD scheme. The revamped Swadesh Darshan 2.0 aims to create sustainable tourism destinations, with 34 projects approved for ₹791.25 crore. Additionally, the Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) scheme has identified 42 key destinations for focused development, while the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme has approved projects at 40 iconic tourist centers for ₹3,295.76 crore.
To ensure the safety and security of tourists, which is primarily managed by state authorities, the Ministry has advocated for the establishment of dedicated Tourism Police across several states, resulting in the deployment of such units in multiple regions. Furthermore, a 24×7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Info-Helpline has been set up, available in 12 languages, to assist both domestic and international travelers with information and support during their journeys within India.
The Ministry also promotes various tourism products and destinations through events, promotional websites, and social media campaigns, aiming to enhance the overall tourist experience and bolster India’s appeal as a travel destination.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2664
ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025
DEVELOPMENT OF 100 TOURISM CENTRES
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the Government is drawing up a plan to develop 100 tourism centres in the country and promote India as a tourist destination across the world;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has identified the main bottlenecks in attracting tourists into the country so far; and
(d) if so, the details alongwith the measures proposed to be taken by the Government to improve the infrastructure and to ensure the safety and security of the tourists?
ANSWER
(a) to (d): The Ministry of Tourism through its ‘Swadesh Darshan’ and ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ provides financial assistance to the State Governments (SGs)/Union Territory Administrations. This financial assistance is provided to the States/UTAs in consultation with them to bridge the gap in developing tourism infrastructure and subject to submission of DPR with requisite details, availability of funds, inter-se priority etc. for developing tourism Infrastructure. The Ministry of Tourism sanctioned 76 projects for Rs.5287.90 Crore under Swadesh Darshan and 48 projects for Rs.1620.21 Crore in PRASHAD scheme in the country. The Ministry has revamped the Swadesh Darshan scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the objective to develop sustainable tourism destinations and has sanctioned 34 projects in the country for Rs.791.25 Crore. In addition, under Challenge Based Destination Development scheme (CBDD), a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan, the Ministry of Tourism has identified 42 destinations in the country. In addition, Government of India under ‘Special assistance to States for capital investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’ scheme has approved projects at 40 destinations for Rs.3295.76 Crore for development. The details of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), PRASHAD and SASCI schemes along with the list of destinations identified under CBDD scheme is Annexed. Multiple projects approved under above mentioned schemes include components pertaining to safety and security, digital interventions, enhancement of tourism experience etc.
In addition, the Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing endeavour promotes various tourism destinations and products of the country through its promotional activities such as holding tourism related events, promotional websites, social media promotions etc. in both domestic and international markets.
Safety and security of tourists is primarily a State Government subject. However, the Ministry of Tourism has been continuously taking up the matter with all the State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations for setting up of dedicated Tourism Police. With the efforts of Ministry of Tourism, the State Governments /UT Administrations of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh have deployed tourist police, in one form or the other.
As a part of its endeavours to make travel for tourists safe and secure, the Ministry of Tourism has set up a 24×7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Info-Helpline on the toll free number 1800111363 or on a short code 1363 in 12 languages including 10 international languages (German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic), Hindi and English for domestic and foreign tourists to provide support service in term of information relating to travel in India and to offer appropriate guidance to tourists in distress, while travelling within India.
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