Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced on Friday that the government is preparing to release a dedicated master list of tourist sites to drive their holistic development and elevate India’s rich heritage on a global platform. Speaking at an event held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi to mark World Tourism Day, Shekhawat emphasized that this new effort aims to bring the lesser-known and incredible sites of India into the global spotlight, enhancing the “Incredible India” campaign.
In his address, Shekhawat highlighted the upcoming “Chalo India” campaign, where one lakh foreign tourists will be exempted from paying visa fees, further promoting tourism in India. Additionally, the minister introduced a new initiative by the Ministry of Tourism—”Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi.” This program will span 50 key tourism destinations across the country, promoting local engagement and empowering communities to play a role in tourism development.
The selected destinations include iconic locations like Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bodhgaya in Bihar, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. Shekhawat emphasized the importance of tourism as a connector of cultures and nations, reinforcing the Indian belief in “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” meaning “the entire world is one family.”
By promoting India’s breathtaking sites and fostering cultural exchange, these initiatives aim to solidify India’s place as a top global tourist destination, highlighting both its natural beauty and cultural diversity. The government’s focused efforts on holistic development, infrastructure, and policy relaxation will undoubtedly boost tourism and bring more international visitors to the country’s extraordinary landscapes and historical wonders.
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