JOIN US''Rural tourism connects the visitor from the frenetic present with the traditional assets of communities whose domain lies off the beaten track. It recognises the role of women in civil society, the primacy of human development and preservation of heritage,” said Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar while launching the book.
So far 139 rural tourism sites in 27 states have been sanctioned by the ministry including 36 rural sites in which the UNDP has partnered by providing financial support for capacity building of rural community.
Chandrasekhar noted that no other country is successfully implementing such a project on this scale.
The book captures on-site features of the project’s skilled rural communities and their traditional ways of life branded as Explore Rural India.
The target beneficiaries are the rural poor, especially women and unemployed youth through the formation of self help groups and empowered village level institutions.
Tourism Secretary Sujit Banerjee said that among the ministry’s many initiatives, the Visit India Year 2009 launch carries Rural Eco holidays covering 15 rural sites where incoming visitors can avail of a free one night stay.