Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on March 17, 2025, stated that the Ministry of Tourism has opted not to pursue a separate National Tourism Policy at this stage. Instead, the Ministry has integrated key elements and action areas from the draft policy into various existing schemes and initiatives to ensure the sector remains aligned with the latest developments.
The government had previously been working on a draft National Tourism Policy aimed at modernizing and streamlining the sector. However, over time, the Ministry has effectively incorporated these strategic elements into various flagship programs such as Swadesh Darshan, Challenge-Based Destination Development, PRASHAD, Dekho Apna Desh, Chalo India, Meet in India, Paryatan Mitra/Paryatan Didi, and Hunar Se Rozgar Tak. These initiatives actively address critical areas such as tourism promotion, industry competitiveness, skill development, infrastructure enhancement, and sustainable tourism practices.
The Ministry emphasized that its whole-of-government approach includes continuous collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including other Central Ministries, State and UT Governments, and the tourism and hospitality industry. By leveraging these partnerships, the government aims to ensure sustained growth and holistic development of the sector.
At present, the focus remains on strengthening and effectively implementing these ongoing initiatives, rather than drafting a separate policy document. The Ministry reiterated its commitment to monitoring the evolving needs of the tourism sector and making necessary enhancements based on national priorities and stakeholder inputs.
