Dark sky reserves, astro tourism on Rajasthan's new agenda as Dy CM Diya Kumari pushes global vision
Jaipur, June 3
Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari on Wednesday called for a mission-driven approach to position the state as the world's leading tourism destination, directing officials to fast-track key projects and strengthen global branding efforts.
During a high-level review meeting of the Tourism Department, she emphasised innovation-led tourism development, including Astro Tourism, desert adventure tourism, AI-based visitor services, and year-round destination marketing, while stressing the timely completion of all flagship initiatives.
Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari has directed officials to work with renewed commitment and urgency to establish Rajasthan as the leading tourism destination on the global map.
Emphasising timely execution of projects, she said every tourism initiative must be completed within stipulated deadlines to position Rajasthan Tourism at the forefront of international travel and hospitality.
The Deputy Chief Minister chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the Tourism Department at Paryatan Bhawan on Wednesday.
The meeting was attended by Omkar Singh Lakhawat, Chairman of the Rajasthan Heritage Authority; Suchi Tyagi, Tourism Secretary; Rukmani Riar, Tourism Commissioner; Anand Tripathi, Tourism Additional Director; along with senior departmental officials.
Reviewing the progress of key tourism projects and the department's media strategy, Deputy CM Diya Kumari instructed officials to accelerate implementation and ensure strict adherence to timelines.
She also reviewed media-buying plans and stressed the need for aggressive branding and marketing of Rajasthan Tourism through innovative campaigns, digital platforms, and social media outreach.
Highlighting the importance of expanding Rajasthan's presence in domestic and international markets, the Deputy Chief Minister called for more roadshows, promotional events, and tourism outreach programmes.
She urged government officials to embrace innovation and adopt modern marketing tools to strengthen Rajasthan's position amid growing global competition.
A major focus of the meeting was the immense potential of Astro Tourism in Rajasthan.
Referring to expert assessments highlighting Rajasthan's clear skies and low light pollution, officials discussed the possibility of developing parts of western Rajasthan as 'Dark Sky Reserves', making them premier destinations for stargazing and astronomy-based tourism.
The Deputy Chief Minister also reviewed proposals for promoting Observatory Tourism in Mount Abu and directed officials to prepare an action plan to advance astro-tourism initiatives in the state.
She also called for transforming the Jaisalmer-Barmer belt into a world-class desert adventure destination on the lines of Dubai, leveraging Rajasthan's unique desert landscape and tourism potential.
Diya Kumari emphasised the need to develop an AI-powered tourism application to provide seamless travel information, personalised recommendations, and enhanced visitor experiences.
The meeting also reviewed development works at the Mira Bai Temple in Merta, plans for a dedicated wedding tourism promotion event, and the organisation of a Ghoomar Festival in Udaipur to showcase Rajasthan's rich cultural heritage.
The Deputy Chief Minister discussed preparations for celebrating 300 years of Jaipur's foundation on November 18, 2027.
She directed government officials to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for year-long celebrations that would highlight Jaipur's history, culture, architecture, and global significance.
She also reviewed proposals for beautifying the Shekhawati havelis and Jaipur's Walled City through the restoration and promotion of traditional fresco art.
In addition, discussions were held on promoting Rajsamand, Mount Abu, Udaipur, Jawai, and Kumbhalgarh under the theme "Pick Your Summer Escape", aimed at positioning Rajasthan as a year-round tourism destination.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Love the idea of transforming Jaisalmer-Barmer belt into a desert adventure destination on lines of Dubai! 🏜️ But we need to be careful about environmental impact. Also, Mount Abu observatory tourism sounds promising - it's already a popular hill station.
Deputy CM Diya Kumari is doing good work. But actions speak louder than words - these projects need proper funding and execution. AI-based visitor services and year-round marketing is the need of the hour. Let's see if this translates into actual tourists visiting beyond Jaipur and Udaipur.
Wow! Astro tourism is such a unique concept for Rajasthan. The dark skies of western Rajasthan are truly underutilized. Personally excited about the Ghoomar Festival in Udaipur - our traditional dance needs global recognition. Also happy to see Shekhawati havelis restoration getting attention.
As someone who's traveled to 10+ Indian states, Rajasthan has immense potential. Dark Sky Reserves could attract serious global travelers who love stargazing. Just hope they don't commercialize it too much and spoil the natural beauty. The 300-year Jaipur foundation celebration in 2027 is also exciting!
One suggestion - instead of copying Dubai model, we should create our own identity. Rajasthan's charm lies in its heritage and authenticity. For astro-tourism, also consider setting up small observatories with telescopes for tourists. The AI app idea is great for personalization. 👍
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.