How is the Tourism Ministry Collaborating with Influencers to Promote Destinations?

New Delhi, Aug 4 (NationPress) The Tourism Ministry actively collaborates with social media influencers, utilizing both incoming partnership requests and public engagement initiatives to showcase tourism destinations, products, experiences, and events, as reported to the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat noted in a written response that the Ministry also promotes the nation’s tourism assets and various activities through its official social media channels.

Responding to another inquiry, Shekhawat revealed that the Ministry initiated the ‘Swadesh Darshan scheme (SDS)’ in 2014-15, aiming to enhance tourism infrastructure within identified thematic tourism circuits across the country.

The scheme has since been updated to ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’, focusing on developing sustainable tourism destinations with a tourist-centric approach, having approved 52 projects.

Additionally, the Ministry has sanctioned 36 projects under the ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’, a subset of Swadesh Darshan.

Through the ‘Special Assistance to the States for Capital Investment (SASCI)’ scheme, the government has also authorized 40 projects nationwide.

The aforementioned projects were approved based on project proposals from the States, their evaluation, fund availability, and priority.

The Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme emphasizes minimizing negative impacts while maximizing positive outcomes through sustainable and responsible tourism.

It advocates the principles of sustainable tourism, incorporating environmental, socio-cultural, and economic sustainability, according to Shekhawat.

The scheme seeks to develop a variety of tourism projects, including emerging trends, to provide tourists with an enhanced experience.

Shekhawat announced the introduction of an updated UDAN scheme to boost regional connectivity to 120 new destinations across the country, targeting 4 crore passengers over the next decade.

This scheme will also support the establishment of helipads and smaller airports in hilly, aspirational, and North Eastern districts.

The Ministry has unveiled a revamped version of the Incredible India Digital Platform (IIDP), serving as a comprehensive resource for travelers and stakeholders eager to explore the nation’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and diverse attractions.

The IIDP features an AI-powered tool that personalizes visitor experiences by providing real-time weather updates, city exploration options, and essential travel services, according to the Minister.

The platform has also partnered with multiple Online Travel Agents (OTAs) and stakeholders for seamless booking of flights, hotels, cabs & buses, and tickets for ASI monuments.