Voting for Dekho Apna Desh, People’s Choice 2024 Shaping India’s Future Tourist Attractions. Voting is now open for ‘Dekho Apna Desh, People’s Choice 2024’, an initiative launched by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India to identify India’s most loved tourist destinations. This nationwide poll allows the public to vote for their favourite tourist spots across various categories. Voting will continue until 15th September 2024, and the results will help shape the future of India’s tourism landscape.
Voting for Dekho Apna Desh, People’s Choice 2024 Shaping India’s Future Tourist Attractions
What is Voting for ‘Dekho Apna Desh, People’s Choice 2024’?
The ‘Dekho Apna Desh, People’s Choice 2024’ is India’s first-ever nationwide Intellectual Property (IP) focused on tourism. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 7th March 2024 in Srinagar, this initiative aims to engage the public in identifying the most preferred tourist attractions in the country. By gathering public opinions, the Ministry of Tourism seeks to promote lesser-known destinations, preserve cultural heritage, and make India a global tourism hub.
Key Details:
- Voting ends on 15th September 2024.
- Citizens can vote online through the portal Dekho Apna Desh Portal.
- Categories include Spiritual, Cultural & Heritage, Nature & Wildlife, Adventure, and Others.
Purpose Behind the Initiative Voting for Dekho Apna Desh
This poll is not just a voting exercise; it is a step towards understanding the preferences of ‘Bharat ki Janta’ (the people of India). By collecting feedback on preferred tourist attractions, the government aims to enhance and develop these destinations into world-class tourist spots. This will be done through a mission-mode approach by aligning efforts from various stakeholders.
Benefits of the Initiative:
- Development of Tourist Attractions: The most preferred destinations will receive investments for infrastructure, safety, and promotion.
- Preservation of Cultural Heritage: The initiative will support efforts to preserve India’s rich cultural landmarks and traditions.
- Tourism Growth: By promoting hidden gems and lesser-known locations, the initiative will diversify tourism and reduce the pressure on popular destinations.
Categories in the Poll
The poll focuses on five key tourism categories, giving voters the chance to select their favorite destinations based on different interests.
1. Spiritual Tourism
India is known for its rich spiritual heritage, with countless temples, mosques, churches, and monasteries spread across the country. The spiritual tourism category invites people to vote for sacred sites that have personal and cultural significance. This category includes places like Varanasi, Rishikesh, Amritsar, and Bodh Gaya.
2. Cultural & Heritage Tourism
India’s historical monuments, forts, palaces, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites define the essence of this category. Tourists can select destinations such as the Taj Mahal, Hampi, Jaipur’s City Palace, or the Konark Sun Temple.
3. Nature & Wildlife Tourism
India’s diverse wildlife and natural landscapes make this a must-include category. From Jim Corbett National Park to the backwaters of Kerala, this category lets voters choose their favorite national parks, wildlife reserves, and natural wonders.
4. Adventure Tourism
Adventure tourism is growing rapidly in India, with places offering activities like trekking, rafting, paragliding, and skiing. Popular destinations for adventure enthusiasts include Manali, Leh-Ladakh, and Rishikesh.
5. Other (Open Category)
This open category gives voters the freedom to nominate personal favorites, especially hidden gems or unexplored locations. It also includes new and emerging tourism sectors like:
- Wellness Tourism: Centers around yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda.
- Wedding Tourism: Growing popularity of India as a destination for grand weddings.
- Vibrant Border Villages: Promoting villages near international borders as tourism hotspots.
How to Vote
Voting for ‘Dekho Apna Desh, People’s Choice 2024’ is easy and accessible. The public can cast their votes online by visiting the Dekho Apna Desh Portal. Users are required to log in with either their mobile number or email ID to participate. Once logged in, they can select their preferred destinations across the different categories.
Step-by-Step Voting Process:
- Visit the portal: Go to Dekho Apna Desh Portal.
- Log in: Use your mobile number or email ID.
- Select categories: Choose from the five categories: Spiritual, Cultural & Heritage, Nature & Wildlife, Adventure, and Others.
- Cast your vote: Pick your favorite destinations and submit.
Role of the Ministry of Tourism
The Ministry of Tourism, through this initiative, aims to understand the current trends in tourism and identify destinations that need to be developed into world-class tourist attractions. The focus is not only on promoting popular locations but also on uncovering lesser-known places that have the potential to attract tourists.
Key Goals of the Ministry:
- Promote India’s heritage: Encourage the preservation of cultural landmarks.
- Enhance tourist experiences: Improve infrastructure and services at tourist spots.
- Discover hidden gems: Promote unexplored tourist destinations.
- Sustainability: Ensure the long-term preservation of natural and cultural attractions.
Promoting Viksit Bharat@2047
This initiative aligns with India’s long-term goal of Viksit Bharat@2047. By 2047, the nation aims to be a developed country, and tourism will play a significant role in achieving that vision. The ‘Dekho Apna Desh, People’s Choice 2024’ initiative supports this journey by focusing on the development of tourist attractions in the short and medium term through a ‘Whole of Government’ approach.
Viksit Bharat@2047 Objectives:
- Create world-class tourist destinations.
- Promote sustainable tourism practices.
- Strengthen the tourism economy.
- Provide a platform for international tourists to experience the best of India.
How Voting Helps India’s Tourism Sector
The outcomes of the voting will not only help determine the Top Tourist Attractions in India but will also guide the government’s future investments in tourism infrastructure. The Ministry will work with various stakeholders to ensure that these chosen destinations get the necessary support in terms of facilities, safety measures, and promotional activities.
Impact of Voting:
- Better Infrastructure: Voting will highlight destinations that require more attention in terms of infrastructure development.
- Improved Tourism Services: Investments will be directed toward enhancing services like accommodation, transport, and guided tours.
- Increased Visibility: Lesser-known places will gain attention and attract more tourists.
Conclusion
The ‘Dekho Apna Desh, People’s Choice 2024’ initiative is a landmark effort by the Ministry of Tourism to shape the future of India’s tourism sector. It engages citizens in a meaningful way, allowing them to vote for their favorite tourist destinations. By identifying and developing these attractions, India is taking a step closer to becoming a top global tourism destination by 2047.
With voting open until 15th September 2024, every citizen has the opportunity to contribute to the nation’s tourism vision. Participate in the poll, make your voice heard, and help India discover its next world-class tourist destinations!
