Cruising high with rural touch in mind

Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Tourism, Independent Charge, talks about the need to promote rural and cruise tourism at the first meeting of National Steering Committee for new plan schemes of PRASAD and Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits

The first meeting of National Steering Committee for new plan schemes of PRASAD and integrated development of tourist circuits of Ministry of Tourism, in New Delhi, was chaired by the Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr Mahesh Sharma. The meeting was attended by the representatives of various ministries. The stakeholders gave details of some of the projects to promote Tourism being implemented by them and how they can be dovetailed with PRASAD as well as scheme of Development of Tourist Circuits.

Addressing the participants, the Minister emphasised the need for inter-ministerial cooperation and coordination to create proper synergy for the success of the schemes. Dr Mahesh Sharma said that there is a need to promote rural tourism since even urban India is not familiar with the rural life. Apart from this, India has rich resources like rivers which can be beneficial for developing Cruise Tourism which is non-existent in the country at present, he said.

Suggesting the need for speedy implementation of PRASAD and development of integrated circuits, the Minister said that there should be no delay in implementing those portions of the scheme which are within the ambit of the Central Government. He also urged the officials to launch within a week the projects already identified and in which a substantial ground work has already been done.

The representatives of various ministries promised to send their proposals as discussed in the meeting in writing to the Ministry of Tourism. They suggested that there is not only a need to focus on infrastructure but emphasis should also be placed on soft skills like training of guides and generating livelihood and employment among local communities.

Secretary(Culture), Ravindra Singh pointed out that the locations for the