International Conference and Exhibition on Rural Tourism
September 7-8, 2001, Udaipur, Rajasthan

Inaugural address of Shri Subhash Maharia, Hon'ble Union Minister of State for
Rural Development

Dr. Girija Vyasji, Honourable Member of Parliament from Udaipur, Shriji Arvind Singhji Mewar, Maharana of Udaipur, Shri Jairam Rameshji, Shri Chirayu Amin, President, FICCI, Shri Arvind Singhal, President, Udaipur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Ito, Deputy Chief of Mission, Japan, distinguished delegates from India and abroad, Members of the Press, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am indeed delighted to inaugurate the International Conference on Rural Tourism in India being organized today in Udaipur by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in association with the Udaipur Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

As you are aware, tourism is the largest and fastest growing global industry. For India, it is the third largest foreign exchange earner. However, so far, we have failed to tap the immense possibilities of growth in the tourism sector in spite of having rich cultural and religious heritage and varied natural attractions. It is high time that we wake up to the reality of introducing new initiatives towards making tourism a vital means for achieving the socio economic progress of the country. We also need to create conducive conditions for more foreign direct investment. Against this backdrop, the present International Conference on Rural Tourism in India assumes great importance.

India is a country of villages, which are the true repositories of Indian culture and heritage. Thus, the concept of rural tourism is now attracting the attention of the policy makers, right-thinking citizens and nodal industry agencies like FICCI. A conscious effort is currently on in promoting Rural Tourism as an important means to achieve increasing income, employment and improving the quality of life in rural areas.

With the increasing industrialization and urbanization, the rural areas are being transformed with the people getting educated and thereby acquiring awareness. The means of transport and communication have improved resulting in accessing even the remotest of locations. Thus, there is an imperative need to package Rural Tourism not only for the sake of international tourists but also to sustain interest in the traditional arts and crafts and other folk forms that are fading away.

Studies have revealed that an investment of Rs 1 million in tourism provides direct employment to 104 people. Indirect employment is also generated in the form of revival of traditional arts and crafts, development of infrastructure in the villages such as roads and means of communication, schools, hospitals, hotels etc.

Very soon, the National Tourism Policy will be announced in which the development of Rural Tourism is receiving utmost attention. India is being unveiled as a unique multi-attraction tourism destination capable of meeting the needs of such forms of tourism such as rural tourism, spiritual tourism, eco-tourism, adventure tourism, incentive tourism, conference & convention tourism etc.

The Rural Tourism in India is sought to be made vibrant by the schemes of the Ministry of Rural Development such as Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) and Rural Water Supply programmes etc. which are being implemented by the Panchayati Raj Institutions with the technical support from the Govt. Departments. Under the centrally sponsored PMGSY, all-weather roads are being constructed connecting villages having a population of more than 1000 to the main roads to increase rural connectivity. Under SGSY, a credit-cum-subsidy programme, assistance is given to poor families living below the poverty line in rural areas for taking up activities either individually or through groups, called Self-Help Groups for self-employment. Under this programme, funds are set aside for training and skill up-gradation as well as for special projects containing the initiatives of pioneering nature involving other Departments, semi-governmental organizations such as the Khadi and Village Industries Commission, Development Commissioner, Handicrafts, Commodity Boards etc. or International Organisations.

The National Agenda for Governance of the Government envisages providing safe drinking water to all the villages in five years. Towards the realization of this objective, Rs 2010 crores has been earmarked in the current year's budget under Rural Water Supply Programme and Rs. 514 crores has been set apart under the Rural Drinking Water component of Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojana (PMGY). Rural Sanitation is also receiving due attention and
Rs 150 crores is provided in the current year's budget. Under the Restructured Central Rural Sanitation Programme (RCRSP), 150 districts in the country have been identified on a pilot basis for the implementation of Total Sanitation Campaign.

Thus, it can be seen that the Ministry of Rural Development is pro-actively engaged in the effective implementation of these programmes which promote Rural Tourism with the active involvement of the Panchayati Raj Institutions, Local Bodies, NGOs and other community level institutions.

I am sure, new initiatives for the promotion of Rural Tourism would emerge from the presentations of the delegates participating in this International Conference. It would be worthwhile to learn from the Kerala experience in tourism promotion as well as the initiatives attempted in Indonesia, China, Finland, Hungary, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Greece.

I earnestly wish that this International Conference would be a benchmark in the promotion of Rural Tourism. If China is getting 26 million tourists every year, there is no reason why India, having such a rich cultural heritage and
monuments, should not at least touch the 10 million mark in the coming years?

Now the time has come to develop suitable strategies involving the locals and the local bodies in identifying locations and set of potential and attractive opportunities in terms of products / experiences to be offered both for domestic as well as international tourists. These strategies must be supported by adequate infrastructure in the rural areas such as road, electricity, water, sanitation and transportation and communication facilities.

Lastly, our efforts in promoting Rural Tourism must result in the benefits accruing to the rural people so that there is marked improvement in the quality of life therein. I warmly applaud the efforts of FICCI in organising this mega event and thereby focusing the attention on promotion of the novel concept of Rural Tourism in India.

I wish this International Conference and the Exhibition on Rural Tourism in India all success.

Thank you.

Jai Hind.