New Delhi — The Ministry of Tourism has significantly expanded the scope of the revamped Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 (SDS 2.0). Launched originally in 2014-15, the scheme has evolved from circuit-based development to a destination-centric and tourist-focused approach, incorporating a wide array of emerging tourism trends.
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The Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, along with its sub-schemes — Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) and Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) — has led to the sanctioning of 52 SDS 2.0 projects, 36 CBDD projects, and 40 SASCI projects, totalling thousands of crores in investments.
These projects include tourism experiences tailored to new demands such as:
- Beach, cave, and waterfall trails
- Eco-tourism, tribal culture and biodiversity zones
- Wellness and meditation centers
- Submarine tourism and historical theme parks
- Digital and AI-powered travel personalization via the revamped Incredible India Digital Platform (IIDP)
Sustainable Tourism at the Core
Swadesh Darshan 2.0 emphasizes environmental, socio-cultural, and economic sustainability. Each destination is planned to minimize negative impacts while enriching local communities and preserving cultural heritage. Experiences like the Julley Leh Biodiversity Park (Ladakh), Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (Kerala), and the Meghalayan Age Cave Experience (Sohra) are among several that highlight this inclusive and eco-sensitive approach.
Boosting Connectivity for Tourism Growth
In addition to infrastructure development, the Ministry is ensuring last-mile connectivity, with direct support from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Under the UDAN Scheme, 53 tourism-specific regional routes have already been operated with 100% Viability Gap Funding (VGF). A modified UDAN version is in the pipeline to connect 120 new destinations and support helipads in remote and hilly regions.
Incredible India Goes Digital and Smart
To support these destinations, the AI-powered Incredible India Digital Platform has been relaunched with tools for real-time planning, city exploration, and integrated bookings — offering a unified interface for flights, accommodations, cabs, and monument tickets.
Representative Projects Under SDS 2.0:
- Suryalanka Beach Experience – Andhra Pradesh
- Buddhist Meditation Centre at Bodh Gaya – Bihar
- Mechuka Adventure Park – Arunachal Pradesh
- Tribal Cultural Retreat at Midway – Nagaland
- Shivsrushti Historical Theme Park (Phase 3) – Maharashtra
This holistic approach is seen as a step forward in future-proofing India’s tourism infrastructure and enriching its offerings in alignment with global tourism trends.
The announcement was made by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
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