The Project
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in India have partnered the promotion of 31 such rural locations, under the Endogenous Tourism Project/Rural Tourism Scheme. The initiative aims to enable local communities introduce visitors to their art and craft and cultural and natural heritage.
Endogenous Tourism: A new initiative to strengthen rural livelihoods
The Government of India-UNDP Country Programme (2003-2007) is the principal development co-operation partnership of UNDP with the Government.
The main objectives of this Programme are based on the Tenth Five Year Plan goals of the Government of India, and on the United Nations Development Assistance Framework priorities of strengthening decentralization and promoting gender equality.
It also aims to promote new and innovative approaches to build livelihood opportunities in rural areas through community action. Aptly named the Endogenous Tourism Project, its focus, with the Rural Tourism Scheme, is to develop the culture, craft and sustainable dimensions of rural life, as a means to viable livelihood opportunities for low-income rural communities.
