Strong presence of Rajasthan on national and international tourist maps prompts many travellers to equate the India Experience with the Rajasthan Experience. It's time to take it to the next level by taking steps to establishment and promote Rajasthan as environmentally conscious and responsible destination. Rajasthan Tourism in association with the Outlook Group is introducing The Indian Responsible Tourism State Awards 2022 &ndash Rajasthan, to honour entrepreneurs who shape Responsible Tourism in Rajasthan.
People of Rajasthan have always celebrated myriad colours of everyday life and the ecosystem surrounding it. And this, as we know, is the very bedrock of Responsible Tourism. Despite having a strong presence across the globe for its diverse tourism, Rajasthan has managed to preserve its intangible culture, nuances of its rich heritage and sustain its biodiversity and its flora and fauna.
&ldquoAfter the pandemic, it has become imperative to celebrate, encourage and amplify the efforts of inspiring travel businesses and individuals, who are quietly carrying the torch of responsible tourism in the state.&rdquo said Ms. Gayatri Rathore Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan.
The Indian Responsible Tourism State Awards initiative by Outlook has been in the &hellip front of identifying such people and entrepreneurs through India&rsquos villages and towns, coasts and forests, since 2015. Over the last 7 years, the annual Outlook Indian Responsible Tourism Awards (IRTA) &mdash India's only responsible tourism awards &mdash has become a touchstone for best practices that transform destinations and impact local lives in sustainable ways.
&ldquoRajasthan is taking a giant step to re-discover this strength, even as it reinforces its foundations of sustainability to support greener, low-impact, local-friendly tourism,&rdquo said, Dr. Rashmi Sharma, IAS, Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan.
With the state awards in Rajasthan, IRTSA is aiming to become more inclusive, to widen its reach and celebrate deserving awardees working at the grassroots levels. The association between Rajasthan Tourism and Outlook will be the stepping stone for local and established travel enterprises in Rajasthan to work towards a common goal, and further increase their responsible tourism footprint.
The award categories for this year are
1. Sustainable Leadership Hotels (Tariff Rs. 5,000 & above)
2. Sustainable Leadership Homestays
3. Sustainable Leadership BnB&rsquos & Guesthouses
4. Sustainable Enterprises in Eco-fragile Landscapes
5. Sustainability Champions Pathfinders
6. Sustainability Champions Grassroots Heroes
7. Heritage Conservation
8. Wildlife Conservation
The 'Indian Responsible Tourism State Awards and Summit Rajasthan 2022' will be held in Jaipur in the last week of November with expected participation from 1,000 local business owners, across all fields of tourism in the state. The Responsible Tourism Mission of the State of Rajasthan aims to ensure that the tourism grows in a sustainable responsible manner in the State and its benefits reach wider communities and tourist alike. And each stakeholder is able to contribute to preserve the heritage and environment to the best of his abilities.