Miscellaneous Schemes under Ministry of Tourism

National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD Scheme)

• Type: Central Sector Scheme
• Aim: The scheme is about creating infrastructure that makes pilgrimage destinations more accessible and attractive. This includes:
  • Entry points (road, rail, water transport)
  • Last-mile connectivity
  • Basic tourism facilities (Information/Interpretation Centers, ATMs, eco-friendly transport, etc.)
• Objectives:
  • Integrated development of pilgrimage destinations.
  • Harness pilgrimage tourism for employment generation and economic development.
  • Enhance the tourist attractiveness of these sites.
  • Promote local art, culture, handicrafts, and cuisine.
• Special Feature: Involves PPP (Public-Private Partnership) mode and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) funds.

👉 In simple terms, PRASAD is about making pilgrimage sites not only spiritually enriching but also economically beneficial and attractive to tourists.

Adopt A Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchan Project

• Aim: Encourage private and public stakeholders to take responsibility for developing and maintaining heritage sites.
• Objectives:
  1. Develop basic tourism infrastructure around heritage monuments.
  2. Promote cultural and heritage value, ensuring livelihood opportunities for locals.
  3. Enhance the tourist experience and inclusivity.
  4. Develop sustainable tourism infrastructure.
• Implementation:

• Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) lead this project.
• Collaboration: Corporate bodies and private/public sector companies contribute under CSR.
• Monument Mitras:

• These are private companies that “adopt” monuments and maintain them under CSR.
• No financial burden on the Ministry of Tourism.
• The legal status of monuments remains unchanged.
• Limited, regulated access is provided only to non-core areas.

👉 This is like a “heritage adoption programme” where corporates showcase their CSR responsibility by maintaining monuments and boosting tourism.

Paryatan Parv

• Aim:
  • To propagate the message of ‘Dekho Apna Desh’, encouraging Indians to explore their own country.
  • Spread the spirit of ‘Tourism for All’.
• Major Components:
  • Dekho Apna Desh – Campaigns to motivate Indians to travel within the country. Includes competitions like blogs, videos, and photos to showcase India’s diversity.
  • Tourism for All – Organising tourism events in all states with public participation. Activities include cultural programs (dance, theatre, music) and exhibitions showcasing cuisine, handicrafts, and handlooms.
  • Tourism & Governance – Workshops and sessions with stakeholders to focus on:

• Skill development in the tourism sector
• Innovation in tourism
• Developing rural tourism in emerging destinations

👉 In essence, Paryatan Parv is like a nationwide tourism festival highlighting India’s cultural diversity, encouraging domestic tourism, and improving governance in the sector.

India Tourism Mart

• Purpose: Provides a platform for B2B (business-to-business) interaction between Indian tourism stakeholders and foreign buyers.
• Organised by: In partnership with the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH).

👉 Think of this as a “global trade fair” for Indian tourism, where Indian stakeholders can showcase their services and attract international tourists.

Incredible India 2.0 Campaign

• Aim: Double the number of tourists—both domestic and foreign.
• Shift in Strategy:
  • Earlier, promotions were generic.
  • Now, the focus is on specific promotional plans and product-specific creatives.
  • Heavy emphasis on digital presence and social media campaigns.
• Focus Areas:
  • Prime existing markets → Strengthen tourism in countries already sending tourists.
  • New potential markets → Explore new countries where India can attract more visitors.
  • Niche Tourism Products → Promote specialized experiences like:

• Heritage Tourism
• Adventure Tourism
• Cruise Tourism
• Rural Tourism
• Wellness & Medical Tourism
• MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions)
• Golf tourism, etc.

👉 So, Incredible India 2.0 is essentially a modernized marketing push where India sells “specialized experiences” instead of just generic travel destinations.

Paryatan Mitra & Paryatan Didi Initiative

• Purpose: Promote tourism for social inclusion and economic growth, by training locals to be “tourist-friendly.”
• Vision: To ensure that tourists experience ‘Incredible India through Incredible Indians.’
• Pilot Phase Coverage:
  • Six destinations:
    • Orchha (Madhya Pradesh)
    • Gandikota (Andhra Pradesh)
    • Bodh Gaya (Bihar)
    • Aizawl (Mizoram)
    • Jodhpur (Rajasthan)
    • Sri Vijaya Puram (Andaman & Nicobar Islands)
• Training Focus Areas:
  • Hospitality
  • Cleanliness
  • Safety
  • Sustainability
• Target Groups:
  • Cab & auto drivers
  • Hotel & restaurant staff
  • Homestay owners
  • Tour guides
  • Police
  • Vendors & shopkeepers
  • Students
  • Transport staff
• Special Focus: Women & youth are trained to develop new tourism products and experiences such as heritage walks, food trails, nature walks, handicraft tours, etc.

👉 This initiative creates a support system where locals become ambassadors of Indian tourism—adding warmth, safety, and authenticity to the tourist experience.

Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale Scheme

• Purpose: To reduce the pressure on already high-traffic tourist sites and ensure a balanced spread of tourists across India.
• Background:
  • SASCI is originally a scheme of the Ministry of Finance.
  • The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) issued operational guidelines for developing iconic tourist centres under this framework.
• Aim:
  • Provide long-term, interest-free loans to states (repayable in 50 years).
  • Support the comprehensive development of iconic tourist centres, including branding and marketing them at a global level.
• Funding Structure:
  • Maximum ₹250 crore per state.
  • Multiple projects can be selected by states.
  • Ceiling for individual projects: ₹100 crore (exceptions possible).
• Implementation Process:
  • States must submit proposals.
  • Selection is done through challenge-mode competition (i.e., states compete on merit).
• Operations & Maintenance:
  • Responsibility lies with the State Government.
  • PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model is encouraged.

👉 In short, this scheme finances states to create globally competitive tourist hubs, thereby easing pressure on overcrowded sites and diversifying India’s tourism map.