Rural tourism
Rural tourism
Rural Tourism is an activity that takes place in non-urban areas that showcases the art, culture, heritage and native life at the rural locations. Activities in which the visitors experiences a wide range of products and services linked to nature and agriculture like farming, fishery, craft and various aspects of rural lifestyle.
Rural tourism activities focuses on rural areas with low population density, landscape and land use dominated by agriculture, forestry, traditional and social structure, rural lifestyle, heritage, nature etc.
India’s large part is rural and a large population resides in rural areas. The village life in India is where you meet the real India. So, the Rural tourism has a high potential to stimulate rural India’s economic growth and also social change, because of its complementarity with other activities like, creation and retention of jobs, creation of new business opportunities, revitalization of local art and crafts being aligned with the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and also with the mantra of “Vocal for Local”.
National Strategy and Roadmap for the Development of Rural Tourism in India
Vision
To leverage India's rural heritage in creating a vibrant and responsible tourism segment by creating engaging rural experiences thereby promoting indigenous jobs, and preserving local culture and heritage.
Mission
To facilitate an enabling environment comprising of Government, Industry, NGO, Community for development and promotion of rural tourism in the Country.
Objectives
- To identify strategies for development of Rural Tourism and stimulate job creation
- To bring synergy and convergence in the Central and State programs for development and promoton of Rural lourism in the Country
- To facilitate coordination of rural tourism development initiatives amongst relevant stakeholders
- To create a platform to share knowledge of best practices, development opportunities and challenges in rural areas for tourism development
- To ldentify and recommend strategic areas clusters for tourism development in rural areas within the sector
Key Strategic Pillars
- Model policies and best practices for rural tourism.
- Digital technologies and platforms for rural tourism
- Developing clusters for rural tourism
- Marketing support for rural tourism
- Capacity building of stakeholders
- Governance and institutional Framework
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Central Nodal Agency Rural Tourism and Rural Homestay
The Ministry of Tourism has established the Central Nodal Agency Rural Tourism and Rural Homestay (CNA RT & RH) for the effective implementation of the initiatives for Rural Tourism.
Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel management, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India is the Central Nodal agency to support the Ministry of Tourism in coordinating and implementing the plans and schemes for promotion and development of rural tourism and rural homestays in the country.
The nodal agency assists the Ministry in undertaking the following functions.
- Preparation of detailed Action plan for implementation of strategy.
- Identifying national and global best practices and prepare tool kits for their replication by the states and rural tourism destinations.
- Benchmarking state policies and standards and prepare model policies and minimum standards for rural tourism including B&B, Farm Stays, Homestays etc.
- Capacity building measures including setting up of Resource centers and Center of excellence.
- Toolkits and guidelines for identification of clusters for rural tourism and preparation of development plans for clusters.
- Facilitating adaptation of digital technologies for rural tourismand rural homestays.
- Formulation of dedicated schemes to support development of rural tourism in the country.
- Any other support, which can facilitate the Ministry of Tourism in development of rural tourism and rural homestays in the country.
Source : Rural Tourism portal
Related resources
Last Modified : 12/4/2023
