World Tourism Day, celebrated every year on September 27th, emphasizes the importance and value of tourism and its development. Tourism contributes immensely to developing several sectors worldwide and fostering human connections and cooperation. With different countries hosting World Tourism Day each year, in 2024, Georgia, with its rich landscapes, hosts this significant day highlighting the theme “Tourism and Peace,” showcasing the country’s efforts on sustainable and eco-friendly practices while preserving and conserving its cultural wealth and eco-friendly practices while preserving and conserving its cultural wealth.
The Ministry of Tourism in India, to protect, promote, and develop tourism infrastructure in India, launched 3 schemes in the year 2014-15, which include the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, the PRASHAD Scheme, and the CBSP Scheme. This article focuses on 15 different theme-based tourist circuits and destinations that fall under one of these schemes. Let’s delve in!
The Swadesh Darshan Scheme, one of the tourism schemes by the central government, aims to promote and increase domestic travel throughout India. This scheme recognizes and develops thematic tourist circuits across the nation, spanning different cultural, historical, and geographical contexts.
The goal of this ecotourism circuit is to establish a positive relationship between tourists and the natural environment while optimizing the user experience through eco-friendly practices, materials, and technologies. The circuit aims to create spaces that benefit the environment and nature, attracting and catering to both domestic and international tourists, and allowing them to immerse themselves in India’s unique ecotourism offerings. This initiative is supported by the states of Kerala, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Mizoram, and Jharkhand.
Integrated Development of Adventure Sports, Eco-Tourism, and Tourism-Related Infrastructure for Tehri Lake and Surroundings Development as a Travel Destination in the year 2015-16.
With 36 Unesco World Heritage Sites and another 36 on the proposed list, India is endowed with a vast and vibrant legacy of cultural heritage. With an emphasis on preserving, sustaining, and enhancing interpretive factors while exploring and acknowledging the integration of heritage sites with natural elements, the heritage circuit intends to satisfy the desires of international tourists. Rajasthan, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Puducherry, Punjab, Uttrakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana are the states included in this circuit.
Development of Franco – A Tamil Village, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam in the year 2017-18.
India’s position as the nation of “Sun, Sea, and Surf” is expected to be strengthened by the Coastal Circuit. Considering the climatic conditions of the coastal line, it is crucial to offer comfort to the tourists through climate-resilient and community-centric architectural infrastructure. The 7,517-kilometer Indian coastline, is partitioned among different states, including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Odisha, and West Bengal. The islands of Andaman and Nicobar are also part of the coastal circuit.
Development of Long Island, Ross Smith Island, Neil Island, Havelock Island, Baratang Island, and Port Blair in the year 2016-17.
India’s desert circuit is a specialized tourist attraction that invites travelers from all over the globe. India is blessed with large deserts in addition to flowing rivers and dense forests. This circuit’s approach to preserving vernacular styles in the form of forts, palaces, and exclusive embellishments plays a vital part in attracting architecture enthusiasts. Dunes, the unusually high temperatures of the Thar Desert, the arid regions of Kutch, and the barren and freezing slopes of Ladakh and Himachal draw a flock of tourists.
Development of Sambhar Lake Town and surrounding destinations in the year 2015-16.
India is a hotspot for wildlife tourism because of its wide range and diversity of wildlife creatures. The goal of the wildlife circuits is to promote sustainable, ecological, and nature-centered development throughout India’s myriad state and national wildlife sanctuaries and preserves while ensuring the balance through eco-friendly resorts, museums, and retreats. The states of Madhya Pradesh and Assam are included in the span of this circuit.
Development of Wildlife Circuit at Panna, Mukundpur, Sanjay, Dubri, Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Mukki, and Pench in the year 2015-16.
Focusing on tourism-oriented development of a region that includes cultural diversities, exuberant festivals, and breathtaking landscapes, the north-east circuit spans across Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Sikkim, offering off-beat destinations and indigenous traditions to national and international tourists.
Development of Umiam (Lake View), U Lum Sohpetbneng, Mawdiangdiang, and Orchid Lake Resort in the years 2016-17.
Celebrating the Indian Himalayan Region, which occupies the crucial location of the country’s whole northern border, is the Himalayan Circuit. States like Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the Northeast region are included in the Indian Himalayan Region, providing a fusion of different styles of architectural sites and marvels and a variety of activities like adventure sports, spiritual retreats, and unique experiences.
Development of tourist facilities at Anantnag, Pulwama, Kishtwar, Pahalgam, Zanskar Padum, Daksum, and Ranjit Sagar Dam in the year 2016-17.
The goal of developing Rural Circuit is to show visitors from both local and foreign countries about the true essence of India by using tourism as a force multiplier to revitalize the rural sector. This includes enhancing the quality of life while promoting the inclusion of local materials and cultural relevance through rural centers and adaptive reuse techniques. The circuit includes the Bhitiharwa, Chandraiah, and Turkaulia regions of Bihar Gandhi Circuit and the Rural Circuit of Malanad, Malabar, Cruise Tourism.
Development of the Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project in the year 2018-19.
The Indian tribal community has been able to maintain its traditional ceremonies and cultural practices amidst the contemporary world through sustainable methods and organic approaches. The purpose of the tribal circuits is to provide an up-close and personal look into India’s colorful tribal traditions, with its rich culture, festivals, handicrafts, art, and rituals. For the growth of this circuit, the states of Chhattisgarh, Nagaland, and Telangana are included.
Development of Tribal Circuit Peren, Kohima, Wokha in the year 2015-16.
This circuit, as the name suggests, includes the principal pilgrimage sites followed and visited by Buddhist tourists around the world. It includes the architectural and urban planning initiatives connected to Buddhist heritage sites. Furthermore, with a primary focus on locations important to Gautama Buddha’s life and teachings. The states covered in this circuit include Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh.
Development of Buddhist Circuit: Salihundam, Bavikonda, Bojjanakonda, Amravati, Anupu in the year 2017-18.
This Indian circuit targets to honor the ancient Sufi customs of the nation. The Sufi tradition and Sufi saints are still celebrated in the nation today, teaching the path of unity in variety, peaceful coexistence, and the development of their own distinctive music, art, and culture. Sufi circuit celebrates spiritual significance through different styles of architectural factors like decorative elements, courtyards, tombs, and arches. The state of Bihar falls under the Sufi circuit.
Development of Sher Shah Suri Tomb, Sasaram, Bihar in the year 1545.
Religious tourism and India are closely connected. Spirituality and religion have long been popular reasons for travel, leading to the development of numerous popular tourist locations. The architectural sites of this circuit underline artistic expressions, cultural centers, and conventional temples. The primary goal of the Krishna Circuit’s construction is to revitalize the locations connected to Lord Krishna. Also to represent the tales throughout several states, primarily in Rajasthan and Haryana.
Development of tourism infrastructures at places related to Mahabharata in Kurukshetra in the year 2016-17.
The main goal of the Ramayana circuit’s creation is to improve and facilitate the visitor experience at the sites linked to Lord Rama’s legends around the nation. The sacred sites in this circuit reflect the tales of Ramayana through celebratory places, cultural aesthetics, and architectural styles. Uttar Pradesh is the state that is the subject of this circuit.
Development of Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, in 2017-18.
It is obvious that India, known as “The Land of Spirituality,” However, it needs tourism facilities all around the nation for the more than 300 million people who come each year in search of spirituality. India, being the origin of four main world religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. A warm haven for all types of religions throughout history. It is a must-travel destination for tourists who are into spirituality both domestically and internationally. The states of Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Puducherry are the focus of the spiritual circuit.
Development of Gorakhnath Temple (Gorakhpur), Devipatan Temple (Balrampur), and Vatvashni Temple (Domariyaganj) in the year 2018-19.
Numerous Jain Shrines can be found all across the nation, and they are said to be associated with the lives and actions of the Jain Tirthankaras, who have always preached awakening, affection, and peacemaking through Jain teachings and traditions. The goal of the Tirthankar Circuit is to develop all the tourist-interesting locations, from distinctive styles of architecture to food, art, and crafts.
Development of Vaishali- Arrah- Masad- Patna- Rajgir- Pawapuri- Champapuri in the year 2016-17.
World Tourism Day serves as a gentle reminder to visit some of India’s must-see iconic places. While celebrating these tourist spots, it is essential to appreciate the efforts involved in maintaining and preserving destinations, especially heritage sites, through various initiatives and schemes. These efforts not only promote cultural heritage but also enhance tourist infrastructure. Thus, World Tourism Day invites not only international tourists but also residents to acknowledge the significance of local attractions.
Content Writing And Research By: Ar. Anusha Sridhar
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