In an attempt to boost tourism sector, the government will soon launch six tourist circuits. These circuits are Ramayan Circuit, Desert Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit and Rural Circuit. The government aims to create better infrastructure for facilitating tourists to visit more places. Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma said that Work on Ramayan Circuit was already on and the government would soon come out with a detailed plan for other circuits as well.
Sharma also said that the government has finalized a blue print for growth of tourism and more tourist circuits will be added soon. Tourism Ministry has already been working on launching spiritual circuits across the country which includes Buddhist Circuit, Jain Circuit and Sufi Circuit.
The minister highlighted that India has picturesque beaches and mountain ranges; however its tourists prefer to go abroad and the sector was losing on account of 'perception'.
In the previous financial year, the government had launched two schemes - Swadesh Darshan and National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD). Under `600-crore Swadesh Darshan scheme, five circuits - Buddhist, Himalayan, Coastal, Krishna and Northeast - were identified to be developed to attract national and international tourists. In addition, 12 cities including Puri were identified under PRASAD. The government had approved Rs 131.05 lakh for four rural tourism sites in 2014-15.