Ranchi, July 10: The Jharkhand government on Friday highlighted the state’s growing tourism potential and invited private investment in the sector during the second day of the National Stakeholders’ Consultation 2026 held at Hotel Taj Palace in New Delhi.
The session, titled “Destination Jharkhand: Driving Tourism Investment and Inclusive Development,” brought together policymakers, tourism experts, industry representatives and development partners to discuss strategies for positioning Jharkhand as a leading tourism and investment destination in the country.
Officials said the state is emerging as a diversified tourism destination, supported by its natural landscapes, religious sites, tribal heritage and expanding infrastructure.
They noted that Jharkhand recorded 5.85 crore tourist visits in 2024, including 4.4 crore pilgrim visits, underlining the sector’s growing contribution to the state’s economy.
The government said granting Industry Status to tourism has opened new opportunities for private investment, institutional finance and infrastructure development.
Alongside religious tourism, the state is promoting eco-tourism, wildlife tourism, adventure tourism, water sports, mining tourism and community-based tribal tourism to diversify its tourism offerings.
The consultation also highlighted a series of policy initiatives aimed at improving the investment climate, including the proposed Tourism Policy 2026, Homestay Policy 2026 and a digital single-window registration system.
Tourism infrastructure is being strengthened through Central Government schemes such as PRASHAD and Swadesh Darshan, while new destinations and visitor facilities are being developed across the state.
Addressing the gathering, Tourism, Art, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sudivya Kumar said Jharkhand’s natural beauty is one of its greatest strengths and should receive recognition alongside its mineral wealth.
He invited tourists and investors from across the country to explore the state’s cultural, spiritual and ecological attractions.
The minister said the proposed Homestay Policy would promote community participation in tourism while generating sustainable livelihoods in rural areas.
He added that the government is committed to creating a transparent and investor-friendly environment to encourage investment in tourism infrastructure and hospitality projects.
The state has invited private participation in the development of hotels, resorts, ropeways, skywalks, houseboats, floating restaurants, camping sites, water sports facilities and other experiential tourism projects, backed by incentive-based support.
Several ministers, including Deepika Pandey Singh, Sanjay Prasad, Irfan Ansari and Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperation Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey, were present during the consultation.
