Old photo. Used for indicative purpose only
New Delhi/Shimla, Feb 12,
Today Centre listed tourism schemes for Himachal in Rajya Sabha. Read: https://tourism.gov.in/parliament-questions-rajyasabha?
The Union Government on Thursday outlined the range of schemes and policy measures supporting tourism development in Himachal Pradesh, stating in the Rajya Sabha that while destination development is primarily the responsibility of the State Government, the Centre continues to provide financial and strategic assistance through multiple national programmes.
In a written reply to Unstarred Question on February 12, 2026, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed the House that the Ministry of Tourism promotes destinations across the country, including Himachal Pradesh, through Central Financial Assistance and thematic schemes.
The Minister stated that under the Domestic Promotion and Publicity including Hospitality (DPPH) scheme, financial assistance is provided to State Governments and Union Territories for organising fairs, festivals and tourism-related events.
Also read:Asia’s longest Zipline, Ice Skating Rink and daily flights: Himachal Cabinet clears tourism push
Infrastructure development support is extended under flagship schemes such as Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD, which focus on thematic tourism circuits and pilgrimage destination rejuvenation respectively
The Ministry has revamped Swadesh Darshan into Swadesh Darshan 2.0, adopting a destination-centric and sustainability-based approach in consultation with States and Union Territories.
As part of this framework, guidelines have been issued for Challenge Based Destination Development aimed at holistic enhancement of tourist destinations and improving visitor experience across the value chain.
Operational guidelines have also been circulated for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment for the development of iconic tourist centres to global standards.
In addition, the Assistance to Central Agencies scheme supports central bodies such as ITDC, WAPCOS, BECIL, ASI, Port Trust of India and the Ministry of Railways for tourism-related infrastructure development.
On employment and skill development, the Minister informed that the Capacity Building for Service Providers scheme provides training and certification to tourism service providers across the hospitality sector. The objective is to enhance employability and facilitate transition from informal to formal employment, leading to improved earnings and working conditions.
The reply further stated that two national strategies have been formulated to position India as a preferred destination for adventure tourism and eco-tourism at the global level.
In the Union Budget 2025–26, the Government announced collateral-free institutional credit through Mudra loans for homestays to encourage their establishment across the country, including in Himachal Pradesh.
The measure is intended to strengthen small hospitality enterprises and expand tourism capacity.
With regard to rural tourism and lesser-known destinations, the Ministry referred to the National Strategy and Roadmap for Development of Rural Tourism in India, which focuses on model policies, digital platforms, cluster development, marketing support, capacity building and governance mechanisms.
A Task Force under the Chairpersonship of the Secretary (Tourism) has also been constituted for rural tourism development, comprising representatives from central ministries, State Governments and industry stakeholders.
The Ministry also informed that two editions of the Best Tourism Villages competition have been conducted so far, under which 71 villages have been recognised for promoting community-based values and sustainable tourism practices.
The written reply did not indicate any separate State-specific allocation in rupees for Himachal Pradesh under a new special rural tourism scheme but reiterated that ongoing national initiatives remain applicable to the State.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
