Shillong conference: Shekhawat emphasizes public private partnerships for tourism growth

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 3, 2024

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, chaired a Tourism Ministers’ conference in Shillong on September 2, spotlighting the importance of public-private partnerships (PPP) in advancing India’s tourism industry. Tourism Ministers from the North Eastern, Eastern States, and Union Territories participated in the conference.

Shekhawat highlighted that this event is the third in a series of regional meetings aimed at enhancing collaboration between states and Union Territories to foster national tourism growth. Previous meetings were held in Chandigarh and Goa for the northern, central, and western regions.

“These meetings focus on developing iconic tourist destinations globally, enhancing alternative sites, and improving marketing, promotion, safety, connectivity, cleanliness, and ease of doing business in the tourism sector,” the Minister stated. He further revealed that the tourism industry is looking for investments from private players for a greater push as part of the public private partnership (PPP) model.

Shekhawat reiterated that India has set new benchmarks under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership over the past decade. “India has seen substantial economic progress. Under PM Narendra Modiji’s able leadership, our country is advancing economically. Infrastructure has significantly improved over the past decade and the global perspective on India has evolved. People around the world are now looking at India with renewed enthusiasm, eager to explore its historical richness,” he said.

The Minister highlighted several government initiatives aimed at bolstering tourism. “The Swadesh Darshan scheme, launched by Prime Minister Modi, provides financial assistance to state governments and Union Territories for tourism development. From 2014-15 to 2018-19, the government undertook 76 projects worth Rs 5,000 crore, including 16 in the Northeast,” he explained. “We have revamped the Swadesh Darshan scheme to focus on sustainability and responsible tourism. Under the revised scheme, 57 destinations across 32 states and UTs have been identified, with 23 projects worth Rs 715 crore launched under Swadesh Darshan 2.”

Additionally, the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) scheme, focusing on pilgrimage and spiritual tourism, has seen significant progress. “So far, 46 projects worth Rs 1,624 crore have been initiated under the PRASAD scheme,” the Minister said. “We have also introduced a new sub-scheme under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 dedicated to developing child-friendly destinations.”

The Minister urged states to submit proposals for tourism development in various sectors. “We encourage states to submit proposals for spiritual tourism, culture and heritage, vibrant village programs, eco-tourism, and Amrit Dharohar sites. The Ministry has selected 42 destinations across various tourism themes in 25 states and UTs for development under this scheme,” he noted.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Tourism has released operational guidelines to support capital investment in tourism projects. “Our ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ initiative invites citizens to vote for their preferred destinations, which will be developed to enhance the tourist experience,” the Minister said. “We have also launched the ‘Chalo India’ campaign and other promotional activities.”

Shekhawat also emphasized ongoing efforts to improve the Incredible India website. “We are revamping the Incredible India website to provide a world-class experience and have requested states to contribute their observations, content, videos, and photographs,” he added.

During the marathon meeting, which lasted over seven hours, the Minister expressed appreciation for the presentations and commitment shown by the states. “I am excited about the presentations and the dedication shown by each state. I would like to extend my gratitude to all states, ministers, and officials for their valuable contributions,” he remarked.

Addressing sector challenges, Shekhawat acknowledged the need for improvements in connectivity and the development of homestays. “We have noted all observations and challenges, and we are committed to finding solutions to enhance our tourism sector,” he concluded.