New tourism circuits being developed in Rajasthan to promote desert, tribal tourism

New tourism circuits being developed in Rajasthan are set to promote the State’s desert and tribal areas as global tourist destinations by showcasing the tribal culture and the activities near the international border. The State has already registered a 22% increase in the arrival of international tourists in 2024.

Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari said at the Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart (RDTM)-2025 in Jaipur on Saturday (September 13, 2025) that the tribal circuit in Banswara and Dungarpur and the desert circuit at Tanot in Jaisalmer and Sanchu in Bikaner would help promote the “lesser-known places”.

The fifth edition of RDTM started at B.M. Birla Convention Centre in Jaipur with the focus on the State’s cultural heritage and tourism promotion. Inaugurating the two-day event, Ms. Kumari said the tourism and hospitality sector was contributing 12% to the State’s gross domestic product and creating lakhs of direct and indirect jobs.

“Tourism in Rajasthan is not just an industry, but it forms the basis of livelihood and culture. As many as 18 crore domestic and 18 lakh international tourists came to the State in 2023, and an increase of 22% was recorded in the foreign tourists’ arrival in 2024,” Ms. Kumari, who holds the Tourism portfolio, said.

The Deputy CM called upon the industry representatives and tour operators to go beyond business transactions and design new tours and experiences, forge partnerships and showcase the culture, festivals and “hidden treasures” of Rajasthan to the world.

Ms. Kumari said new policies were being implemented to promote concert tourism, destination weddings and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) tourism in the State. The State government’s focus on infrastructure, including airports, roads and digital platforms, and the presentation of this year’s “green budget” would pave the way for sustainable tourism, she said.

The RDTM-2025 was organised under the joint aegis of the State government’s Tourism Department and the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR). FHTR president Kuldeep Singh Chandela said the travel mart had brought together tradition and modernity, while the collaboration between buyers and sellers would lay a strong foundation for tourism.

The travel mart provided one stop solution for the tourism and hospitality-related services, while an exhibition, open to the general public, showcased the rich and diverse dimensions of tourism in the desert State. The event was described as a bridge for investment, employment and development of local communities, helping Rajasthan emerge stronger on the global map.

The individuals and institutions that have made significant contributions in the tourism sector were honoured on the occasion. The awards were given in the categories of enduring impact on tourism, women’s empowerment in hospitality, and the legacy of heritage and tourism. The hall of fame award was conferred on Rajiv Mehra, former president, Indian Association of Tour Operators.

Principal Tourism Secretary Rajesh Yadav, Commissioner of Tourism Rukmani Riar, and FHTR general secretary Virendra Shekhawat were among those who participated in the RDTM.