The Department of Tourism, Uttar Pradesh, recently hosted the influential Rural Tourism Conclave 2025 at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Lucknow, with Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh as the Chief Guest. The event convened senior officials, farm stay operators, and policy experts to design a vibrant roadmap for village-led tourism, focusing on authentic rural experiences and sustainable growth.
Minister Jaiveer Singh highlighted the profound cultural roots of India’s villages, stating that “India’s stories of gods, values, and culture begin in villages,” and urged tourism development that goes beyond monuments to embrace the warmth of rural kitchens and genuine hospitality. He positioned rural tourism as a key driver for empowerment, entrepreneurship, and environmental stewardship under the visionary goals of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s Viksit Bharat @2047 initiative.
With 234 villages identified as tourism hubs and over 750 homestays in development, the state is actively promoting rural tourism as India’s “soft power,” according to Principal Secretary Tourism Mukesh Kumar Meshram. The conclave underscored initiatives such as training 285 rural youth, engaging NGOs, and rolling out financial benefits including subsidies and stamp duty exemptions to encourage participation and investment.
Sessions at the conclave featured expert insights on natural farming, agri-tourism success stories, investment prospects, and community environmental rejuvenation, presented by leaders such as Pandurang Taware and Annadani Malligavad. Over 40 farm stay and homestay owners were felicitated, recognizing their role in setting new standards for immersive rural hospitality.
A special FAM Trip was announced to showcase Uttar Pradesh’s rural tourism potential, including visits to renowned farmstays and interactions with self-help groups and women artisans. This initiative aims to highlight local cuisines, crafts, and community-led growth as the foundation of an inclusive, sustainable rural tourism ecosystem.
Minister Singh concluded by emphasizing that rural tourism is more than a travel trend—it is a movement to restore dignity, income, and identity to villages, making Uttar Pradesh the true living heart and soul of India.
