Indian Economy News

Inclusion of emerging tourism trends in Swadesh Darshan 2.0

The Ministry of Tourism has significantly expanded its efforts to develop sustainable tourism infrastructure through three major schemes, Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD), and Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI). Under SD2.0, 52 projects have been sanctioned across multiple states with a focus on diverse tourist experiences such as beaches, caves, forts, biodiversity zones, and spiritual hubs. The scheme promotes sustainable tourism through environmental, socio-cultural, and economic components, offering immersive experiences like tribal culture, submarine tourism, bird sanctuaries, and wellness centres. An additional 36 projects have been cleared under CBDD to promote eco-tourism, adventure tourism, and heritage development in emerging destinations. SASCI has approved 40 large-scale projects to transform iconic tourist destinations nationwide.
To improve regional air connectivity, the Ministry of Civil Aviation launched the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme. In its third bidding round, 106 tourism-specific routes were added at the request of the Ministry of Tourism. As of January 31, 2025, 53 of these routes were operational with 100% Viability Gap Funding (VGF). A modified UDAN scheme aims to connect 120 new destinations and cater to four crore passengers over the next decade, including smaller airports and helipads in remote districts. Additionally, the revamped Incredible India Digital Platform (IIDP), powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), now enables real-time weather updates, personalised itineraries, and seamless booking through collaborations with Online Travel Agents (OTAs). These combined initiatives underline the government’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable tourism growth.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.