The government’s flagship schemes have brought about a significant transformation in tourism infrastructure across India. A total of 76 Swadesh Darshan projects and 54 projects valued at over Rs 1,700 crore under the PRASHAD scheme have played a key role in this development. These initiatives have focused on enhancing visitor amenities, connectivity, and overall tourist facilitation infrastructure.
Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme’s first phase, an investment exceeding Rs 5,000 crore has been channeled into 15 tourist circuits nationwide. Notably, 75 projects have already been completed, leading to tangible improvements in various tourist destinations. The PRASHAD pilgrimage scheme, on the other hand, has approved 54 projects, with a special emphasis on enhancing convenience and safety at popular spiritual sites like Somnath, Srisailam, and Govardhan in Uttar Pradesh.
Moreover, the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) has given the green light to 40 projects spread across 23 states, with a total outlay of Rs 3,295.76 crore. The primary objective of this scheme is to elevate potential destinations into world-class tourism hubs. India has witnessed a significant influx of international visitors, with 181.25 million international arrivals and 93.35 million foreign tourist arrivals recorded from 2014 to 2025.
Over the past decade, more than 100 destinations have undergone upgrades, and the proposed development of 50 key destinations is expected to further enhance their quality, amenities, and overall tourism readiness. The country has also made strides in strengthening travel facilitation, particularly through the expansion of the e-Visa system, which has made India more accessible to visitors from numerous countries. India is steadily establishing itself as a prominent global tourism destination, currently holding the eighth position among the world’s top tourism economies.
The tourism sector in India is a significant contributor to the national economy, generating $231.6 billion. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has forecasted that India is poised to climb to the fourth spot globally in the tourism sector over the next decade.
