The ambitious plan to add dozen of rural tourism sites to the 'Incredible India' campaign is on the way ahead. 15 rural tourism sites have already come up and another 14 will start operating from this October. Than there are plans to bring up 36 more of rural tourism sites in the country. Development of the rural sector will provide ample food for thoughts to the tourists, where recreation, entertainment and cuisine in elegant manner will come alive with local flavors.
Tourism Secretary S.Banerjee said that the rural tourism is being given the highest precedence as it ground breaking tourism product and it benefits the society as the whole. He is of the opinion that this phenomenal explosion of the tourism industry is an inevitable by product of the economic development in the country. The efforts taken by the tourism ministry coupled with the on going programme will usher in the new era of self sufficiency and productive employment paving the way for the employment assurance in the rural areas and reverse migration of the people from the urban to the rural discussions. India will remain the favorite offshore destination due to the diverse adventure activities.
The sites that have already been completed include Hodka (Kachchh district in Gujarat), Kumbalanghi (Ernakulam district in Kerala), Naggar (Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh and Ballavpur Danga (Birbhum district in West Bengal). Than the sites that would be complete by October 1 are Kazhugumalai (Thoothukudi district in Tamil Nadu), Jageshwar (Almora district in Uttarakhand), Nagarnar (Bastar district in Chhattisgarh), Raghurajpur (Puri district in Orissa), Anegondi (Koppal district in Karnataka) and Mukutmonipur (Bankura district in West Bengal).
S.Banerjee advised the stake holders to search for the effective marketing arrangements, including tie up with the travel trade at the regional, national and international level. He said the focus should not only be on the foreign tourists but also on the domestic tourists.
India is the ideal location for the development of the rural sector, as it is blessed with the rich cultural heritage. The priority is given on promoting tourism that is sustainable and is in harmony with the surroundings and does not conflict the sentiments of the locals. It is infact the great opportunity to elevate the art, craft and culture of the country and find new patrons as well as new markets to boost the social and economic conditions
