Why in News?
- Recently, Rural Tourism and Rural Home-stays (CNA – RT and RH) under the Ministry of Tourism has identified six niche experiences for tourists wanting to visit rural India, involving agri-tourism, art and culture, ecotourism, wildlife, tribal tourism, and home-stays.
- The Ministry of Tourism is also working on introducing the State assessment and ranking criteria to assist foster competition and reach the overarching objectives of encouraging sustainable and responsible tourism.
Major Points of the Move-
- Objective- The push aims at sustainability, preventing massive infrastructure development.
- It aims to rope in local resources and communities to provide a distinctive organic experience and bolster employment opportunities in villages.
- The Ministry of Tourism is in the process of preparing a budget, with certain training modules at district levels being 100% centrally financed, and other aspects being 60% Centre and 40% State financed.
- Village Clusters- Clusters of five to seven villages will be recognized in close proximity.
- A cluster will provide more tourist attractions than rural tourism projects of individual villages separated by long distances.
- It can also help in the marketing of local products of a group of villages through craft bazaars.
About Concept of Rural Tourism-
- Rural tourism in India is a type of tourism that emphasis on exploring and experiencing the rural lifestyle and culture.
- It includes travelling to rural areas and participating in several activities like farming, handicrafts, and village walks, to obtain a deeper understanding of the local culture and way of life.
- For example, Tamil Nadu’s Kolukkumalai is the highest tea plantation in the world, Kerala’s Dewalokam is a yoga centre on the banks of a river, Nagaland’s Konyak Tea retreat takes visitors on a trip through tribal culture etc.
- Scope- India’s rural tourism potential lies in its diverse and vigorous culture, handicrafts, folk arts, festivals, and fairs.
- U.S-based market research firm Grand View Research estimates that agri-tourism alone will develop at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.4% from 2022 to 2030.
- Significance- Not only can rural tourism revitalize local art and crafts and stop viable traditional occupations from being displaced, it will also support redevelop rural areas and rejuvenate rural life, generate jobs and new business opportunities.
- Benefits-
- Decrease out-migration, Increase alternative business opportunities.
- Increase entrepreneurial scopes.
- Support in poverty alleviation.
- Community empowerment.
- Promotion of Art and Crafts.
- Heritage Preservation.
Challenges for Rural Tourism in India-
- Lack of Infrastructure- Rural areas usually lack basic amenities like good roads, electricity, and healthcare facilities, which can discourage tourists from visiting.
- Insufficient infrastructure can also make it difficult for local communities to give quality services to visitors.
- Limited Awareness- Less awareness about rural tourism among tourists and local communities can hamper its growth.
- Many people are uninformed of the potential of rural areas as tourist destinations and the benefits that tourism can bring to local communities.
- Low Income and Unemployment- Rural areas often suffer due to low-income levels and high unemployment rates.
- This can make it difficult for local communities to invest in tourism infrastructure and give quality services to visitors.
- Threat to Ecology- Rural tourism has the potential to have a negative impact on the environment and local communities if not managed rightly.
- Overcrowding, pollution, and destruction of natural habitats can damage the local ecology and culture, which can deter visitors in the long run.
- Safety Concerns- Rural areas can be perceived as unsafe by tourists due to a lack of proper security arrangements, which can make it hard for them to enjoy their experience and create a negative image of the destination.
Related Initiatives-
- The Government is exploring organic agriculture areas developed under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development in North East Region (MOVCD-NER) for development as rural tourist spots.
- Best Tourism Village Competition Portal was introduced recently to select the best tourism village from across the country, and also to encourage rural tourism in the country.
- The ‘Best Tourism Village Competition’ will be held in 03 stages, and will seek entries at district level, state level and national level.
- The Ministry of Tourism has launched Visit India Year 2023, emphasising on inbound travel to India, to highlight varied tourism offerings of our country and showcase them to the global tourists.
- PRASHAD (National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual and Heritage Augmentation Drive) scheme was introduced by the Ministry of Tourism in 2015.
- Till date, under PRASHAD scheme, a total of 45 projects for an amount of Rs.1586.10 Crore have been approved.
- Swadesh Darshan scheme in 2014-15 with focus on integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in the country.
- 76 projects were approved for an amount of Rs.5315.59 Crore under many themes such as eco, heritage, Himalayan, coastal theme etc.