Centre to promote niche tourism in Union Territories
From frozen marathons at Pangong Lake in Ladakh to underwater adventures like snorkelling and scuba diving in Lakshadweep, the Centre is promoting a wide range of niche tourism segments across Union Territories to boost the local economy, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.
Responding to a question, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said the Government is “actively promoting” various new types of tourism like astro-tourism, eco-tourism, nature/biodiversity tourism, heritage/cultural tourism, wellness tourism, along with adventure, cruise and rural tourism segments.
The question was asked by MP Darshana Singh, who sought to know whether the Government has taken “any concrete step to promote new types of tourism in the Union Territories” and whether efforts have been made to promote eco-tourism, particularly in island UTs. The minister also said various niche segments of tourism are being promoted in the UTs to showcase their unique tourism offerings of the UTs on the national and global front.
Among key initiatives, Rai highlighted the setting up of India’s first Dark Sky Reserve at Hanle, the development of seafronts and nature trails in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and the introduction of the Barren Island cruise in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, offering tourists a view of India’s only active volcano.
He also pointed to “hosting various niche sporting events and festivals like the Frozen Marathon at Pangong Lake”, along with ice hockey and ice climbing events in Ladakh.
In Jammu and Kashmir, winter trekking and gondola rides are being promoted, while Chandigarh is focusing on “development of inter-city tourist circuits and promotion of weekend tourism”.
Urban initiatives include the launch of a double-decker bus in Delhi to enhance tourist experience, while Puducherry is developing infrastructure for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism.
On eco-tourism in island territories, Rai said steps have been taken in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where “a letter of award has been issued for the development of eco-tourism resorts” in multiple locations, including Long Island and Shaheed Dweep.
In Lakshadweep, he said contracts have been awarded to develop lagoon villas at Kadmat and Suheli islands under the public-private partnership model, while 50 luxury tent resorts have been made operational at Bangaram island. The minister said these initiatives are aimed at positioning UTs as diverse and sustainable tourism destinations.
