Rajasthan to Launch State Tourism Awards, Says Deputy CM Diya Kumari

Third Edition of Outlook Indian Responsible Tourism State Awards Rajasthan 2025 Held in Jaipur

Jaipur : Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Diya Kumari announced that Rajasthan’s Tourism Department will soon launch State Tourism Awards to honour outstanding contributions in the tourism sector. Speaking at the third edition of the Outlook Indian Responsible Tourism State Awards Rajasthan 2025, held at a Jaipur hotel, she emphasized the need for a dedicated Responsible Tourism Policy, much like the state’s existing tourism, tourism unit, and film policies.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to environmental protection and tourism development, Diya Kumari said, “Preserving the environment is our collective responsibility. Small lifestyle changes can help us conserve water, electricity, and trees.”

Rajasthan’s Tourism Leadership Recognised

She proudly shared that Rajasthan welcomed 230 million domestic tourists and 2.1 million foreign tourists in 2024, making it India’s fifth-most visited state by both domestic and international travellers. “Rajasthan’s identity is deeply tied to tourism, and we take pride in that responsibility,” she stated. She called responsible tourism a powerful concept rooted in inclusivity and respect for both people and the environment.

Focus on Responsible Tourism and Infrastructure

Diya Kumari stressed the importance of restoring every fort, developing road infrastructure, and promoting cultural sites across the state. She revealed the government has allocated ₹5,000 crore this year under the Rajasthan Tourism Infrastructure and Capacity Building Fund (RTICF) to build world-class, environmentally responsible, and culturally sensitive tourism infrastructure.

Women-Led Development in Tourism

Reaffirming the state’s focus on women-led growth, she said women’s participation in tourism is being expanded through home-stay management and entrepreneurship. On the occasion of the Teej festival, she encouraged women to wear leheriya, a traditional print symbolic of the monsoon and Rajasthani culture, and to promote it on social media.

Congratulating the Winners

Deputy CM Diya Kumari congratulated all award winners and expressed gratitude to those shaping a tourism ecosystem that values hospitality and heritage alike.

Rajesh Yadav, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Art & Culture, Archaeology, and Chairman of RTDC, said the event marked a significant step in preserving Rajasthan’s intangible heritage. He noted that alongside heritage tourism, tourists now seek experiential and new-age destinations, and the Indian Responsible State Tourism Award’s theme aligns perfectly with the state’s tourism vision.

Tourism Commissioner Rukmini Riar said Rajasthan is not just a place of visual splendour but is now emerging as a model for responsible and sustainable tourism. The event sends a clear message that the state is committed to encouraging local culture and sustainable practices through tourism.