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Rural tourism in India has gained momentum in recent years as travellers seek authentic rural experiences away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Recently, Central Nodal Agency– Rural Tourism and Rural Homestays (CNA – RT and RH) under the Ministry of Tourism has identified six niche experiences for tourism in rural areas. These six niche experiences include agritourism, art and culture, ecotourism, wildlife, tribal tourism and homestays.
What is Rural Tourism? What are the Different Forms of Rural Tourism in India?
Rural Tourism- Rural tourism in India is a form of tourism that focuses on exploring and experiencing the rural lifestyle and culture. It activities focus on rural areas with low population density, landscape and land use dominated by agriculture, forestry, traditional and social structure, rural lifestyle, heritage, and nature.
Rural tourism was first prioritized through the eleventh five-year plan (2007-2012) by providing infrastructural development in rural areas.
Different Form of Tourism
| Tribal Tourism | This form of tourism focuses on showcasing tribal customs and culture. For ex- Tribal Tourism in Majuli Island which is dominated by tribals where the Sattriya Culture is centre of attraction for tourists. |
| Agricultural Tourism | The agricultural system in the lush green nature attracts tourists towards these places. For ex- Farm of Happiness in Ratnagiri District, Maharashtra, where visitors are encouraged to be actively involved in the farming process. |
| Eco Tourism | This form of tourism attracts tourists based on the unique ecology of the region. For ex- Eco tourism in Madla, Madhya Pradesh which has all three natural geographic characteristics within one kilometre (Ken river- the cleanest in Asia, Panna National Park and Khajuraho- UNESCO site) |
| Art and Culture Tourism | The unique art and culture of these rural areas becomes a centre of attraction for the tourists to experience it in its true form. For ex- Arjrakh print artwork in Ajrakhpur, Gujarat draws many tourists. |
What is the significance of Development of Rural Tourism?
1. Economic Development in Rural India- It is instrumental in the economic development of rural India. It is also a valuable foreign exchange earnings, thereby bolstering our forex reserves. For ex- There was an inflow of $21.4 bn due to tourism in 2022.
2. Revitalisation of local art and crafts- It helps in revitalization of local art and crafts. Thereby, it prevents viable traditional occupations from being displaced from their roots. For ex- Sikki Grass craft workers of Bihar.
3. Employment Generation- It also results in generation of local employment and creation of new business opportunities for people in rural areas. For ex- Hospitality and transportation related business.
4. Promotes the Vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’- Rural tourism helps in the revitalization of local art and crafts which is aligned with the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat‘ and the mantra of ‘Vocal for Local‘.
What are the Challenges in the Development of rural tourism in India?
1. Lack of Infrastructure- Rural areas often lack basic amenities such as good roads, electricity, and healthcare facilities, which deters tourists from visiting. Further, the Inadequate infrastructure makes it difficult for local communities to provide quality services to visitors.
2. Threat to Ecologically fragile regions- Overcrowding, pollution, and destruction of natural habitats can harm the local ecology and culture of the rural areas. For ex- Ecological vulnerability of Himalayan states like Himachal and Uttarakhand has increased due to overcrowding of tourists.
3. Safety Concerns- Rural areas are generally perceived as unsafe by tourists due to a lack of proper security arrangements. For ex- Recent rape attempt at a tourist in Jharkhand.
4. Limited Awareness- Lack of awareness about rural tourism among tourists and local communities often hinders its growth. For ex- Limited awareness in regions of north-east about the tourism potential.
| Read More- Rural Tourism development potential |
What Steps have been taken by the Government ?
| Swadesh Darshan Scheme | It was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in 2014-15. It aims to develop theme-based tourist circuits on the principles of high tourist value, competitiveness and sustainability in an integrated manner. |
| PRASHAD Scheme | The National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in the year 2014-15. It is a Central Sector Scheme launched with the objective of integrated development of identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations. |
| Adopt a Heritage Scheme | It aims to ensure quality & inclusive provision of amenities and facilities across heritage, natural, & tourist sites through active participation of private and public sector organizations. |
| Best Tourism Village Competition Portal | It was launched recently to select the best tourism village from across the country, and also to promote rural tourism in the country. |
What Should be the Way Forward?
1. Innovative approaches to boost and promote different tourism segments- Government must adopt innovative approaches to boost and promote different tourism segments such as niche tourism, wellness tourism, adventure tourism, and spiritual tourism.
2. Learning from Successful models of rural tourism- Villages must learn from successful models of rural tourism to achieve maximum output with minimum inputs. For ex-Strategies of Pochampally Village in Telangana State can be adopted. It was selected as one of the best Tourism Villages by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 2021.
3. Focus on Infrastructural Development- Modern buses and stations at reliable frequency, taxi, shared mobility, App-based integration of guides, parking, charging and refueling facilities must be developed for rejuvenating rural tourism.
4. Addressing security concerns- The security concerns prevailing in the hinterland must be addressed to attract more tourists to those areas.
| Read More- The Hindu UPSC Syllabus- GS 3 Indian Economy |
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