New Delhi, Aug 5, 2025: The Lok Sabha was informed on Monday that the Tourism Ministry engages with social media influencers to promote tourism destinations, products, experiences, and events through collaboration requests and public engagement initiatives. Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in a written reply, said the Ministry also actively promotes the country's tourism destinations, products and various activities through its official social media platforms.

In response to another question, Mr Shekhawat said the Ministry launched its 'Swadesh Darshan scheme (SDS)' in 2014-15 with the idea to develop tourism infrastructure under identified thematic tourism circuits in the country.
52 projects have been approved as a result of the scheme's rebranding as "Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)" to promote sustainable tourism destinations that are focused on tourists and destinations.

Under the "Challenge Based Destination Development" (CBDD) sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan, the Ministry has also approved 36 projects. 40 projects in the country have also been approved by the government as part of the "Special Assistance to the States for Capital Investment (SASCI)" program. Upon receiving the project proposals from the states, their evaluation, the availability of funds, and inter-se priority, the projects in the above scheme were approved. The Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme recognizes that in order to minimize the negative impacts and maximize positive impacts, sustainable and responsible tourism is key.
He stated that it encourages the adoption of sustainable tourism principles, such as economic sustainability, sociocultural sustainability, and environmental sustainability. In order to enhance the tourist experience, the scheme focuses on the development of a variety of tourism projects, including new emerging trends. Mr. Shekhawat stated that the government has also announced the launch of a modified UDAN program to serve 4 crore passengers and expand regional connectivity to 120 new national destinations over the next ten years. Smaller airports and helipads in hilly, aspirational, and North East Region districts will also be supported by the plan. The Ministry has launched the revamped version of Incredible India Digital Platform (IIDP) as a comprehensive resource for travellers and stakeholders interested in exploring the country's rich cultural heritage, natural beauty and diverse attractions.

The IIDP uses an AI-powered tool that personalizes visitor experiences by offering real-time weather updates, city exploration, and essential travel services, the Minister said.

Additionally, the portal has collaborated with a number of stakeholders and Online Travel Agents (OTAs) to facilitate the streamlined booking of tickets for ASI monuments, hotels, cabs, and buses.