Question : Draft National Strategy and Roadmap for Development of Rural Tourism

(a) whether the Government has formulated a draft National Strategy and Roadmap for Development of Rural Tourism in India as an initiative towards Aatma Nirbhar Bharat and if so, the details thereof and main feature of the draft;
(b) the details of rural tourism projects implemented/sanctioned in this regard, State/UT-wise including Uttar Pradesh;
(c) whether the Government has received any proposals from the States/UTs in this regard and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the details of villages in various districts identified and developed as rural tourist spots under rural tourism during the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise including Barabanki district?

MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a): Yes, Sir. Ministry of Tourism has recognised the immense potential of Rural Tourism and has been actively working on promotion and development of this niche area of tourism. The Ministry of Tourism has accordingly formulated a National Strategy and Roadmap for Development of Rural Tourism in India- An initiative towards Aatma Nirbhar Bharat, which has been circulated to concerned Central Ministries, all State Governments/UT Administrations and Industry Stakeholders. The strategy document focuses on the following key pillars:

i. Model policies and best practices for rural tourism
ii. Digital technologies and platforms for rural tourism
iii. Developing clusters for rural tourism
iv. Marketing support for rural tourism
v. Capacity building of stakeholders
vi. Governance and institutional framework

(b) to (d): Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned following projects for development of Rural Circuits under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme in the country:-
(Rs. in Crore)

S. No.	Name of State	Name of Circuit & Year	Project Name	Amt. Sanctioned	Amt. Released
1.	Bihar	Rural Circuit
(2017-18)	Development of Gandhi Circuit: Bhitiharwa- Chandrahia- Turkaulia	44.65	35.72

2.	Kerala	Rural Circuit
(2018-19)	Development of Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project	80.37	23.77

Total	125.02
59.49