PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Centre is providing varied assistance to the States including Uttarakhand for encouraging religious, cultural and adventure tourism. A sum of about Rs 75 lakh was provided to the State during the past three years to encourage various programmes and efforts related to these activities. Union Tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said this in response to a question asked in the house by Rajya Sabha member and Bharatiya Janata Party State president Mahendra Bhatt.
The Rajya Sabha member had asked about the Centre’s schemes for encouraging religious, cultural and adventure tourism. The Union minister informed that along with religious, cultural and adventure tourism, the government encourages various tourist spots and tourism products in order to establish India as a popular destination in markets where tourism is generated and increase the nation’s share in the global tourism market. Among publicity activities, participation is facilitated is travel fairs and exhibitions, road shows, seminars and workshops are organised, Indian cuisines and cultural festivals are encouraged.
Further, brochures are provided to tour operators, global media campaigns are undertaken and joint advertisements and publicity with airlines, tour operators and other organisations are also organised. Central financial assistance is provided to the States for fairs, festivals and tourism-related programmes. This scheme assists States and Union Territories to encourage special tourism experiences and strengthen religious, cultural, adventure tourism and various other tourism products, Shekhawat said. It also encourages the local economy and community participation in the sector. The Union minister further informed that Rs 25 lakh was provided in 2023-24 and Rs 50 lakh in 2025-26 to encourage various tourism related programmes and activities in Uttarakhand.
