Srinagar among 7 locations for Centre’s responsible tourism list

Ovaise Gul
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24 Apr 2026

4,382 individuals trained under initiative so far Move to enhance visitor experience at prominent spots

Srinagar, Apr 23: Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, has been identified as one of seven locations across India by the Ministry of Tourism under a national responsible tourism initiative.

The Ministry of Tourism (MoT), Government of India, has launched a national responsible tourism initiative titled ‘Paryatan Mitra/Paryatan Didi’ to enhance visitor experience at prominent destinations across the country.

As per the Annual Report 2025–26 by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, accessed by Rising Kashmir, seven locations have been identified for the pilot phase. These include Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir, Orchha in Madhya Pradesh, Gandikota in Andhra Pradesh, Bodh Gaya in Bihar, Aizawl in Mizoram, Jodhpur in Rajasthan, and Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

The report reveals that the initiative aims to create a network of ‘tourist-friendly’ individuals who act as ambassadors and storytellers for their regions.

As part of the programme, people engaged in tourism-related services such as taxi and auto drivers, hotel staff, restaurant workers, homestay owners, tour guides, police personnel, street vendors, shopkeepers and students are being provided training and awareness on the importance of tourism, cleanliness, safety, sustainability, and the need to offer tourists high standards of hospitality and care.

The effort is aligned with the ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ ethos and focuses on improving interactions between tourists and local communities.

Pertinently, the Ministry of Tourism launched the ‘Paryatan Mitra/Paryatan Didi’ initiative on August 15, 2024, which was formally rolled out on World Tourism Day (September 27, 2024).

Officials said since its launch, around 4,382 individuals have been trained under the initiative, marking a significant step towards strengthening India’s tourism ecosystem.