Rustic TrailsAn initiative to promote tourism in rural Shekhawati, Rajasthan, by showcasing rural life, art, culture, and heritage.

Background

The tourism industry is growing at an annual rate of 4%, nature travel is growing at a rate of 10-30%. Tourism is third largest foreign exchange earner. These facts are overwhelming for an odd layman. Interestingly, tourism creates 47.5 jobs directly and 85-90 jobs indirectly. And when we consider that 67% of Indian population lives in rural areas, we see where the actual opportunity lies. Tourism is one of the most enriching acts, and if it is carried out in a rural place, offers tranquillity and hospitality in contact with the environment. This is the new alternative of tourism, to the one that was traditionally carried out, demanded by the society in the last years, providing a great chance in the development of rural areas. Rural tourism has become the solution of some of the major problems that have emerged in these areas. Therefore, it is necessary to offer a product adapted to the demand of the tourist consumer, and for that, it is essential to offer a product fixed to the current consumer’s needs. Interestingly, Ministry of Tourism has commissioned only 52 sites across India for rural tourism; showing the wide untapped opportunities ahead.

Problem Statement

There is minimal scope of rural getaways in India providing authentic rural experiences to travellers.

Our Initiative

A pre-defined travel package in the hinterlands of Churu to showcase rural lifestyle, art, culture and heritage thereby benefiting the local community economically and socially, reducing rural exodus and generating alternate income; and the travellers by enabling interaction with the locals for a more enriching tourism experience.

Objective

Rustic Trails is an initiative with the objective of benefitting the local community of faraway, yet serene villages of India economically and socially, by giving them a platform to deliver authentic community immersion and showcasing their lifestyle, cuisine, culture, and heritage to travellers for an enriching tourism experience.

Outcome

Secondary Income opportunities for local community. Promote and hence preserve rural arts and culture. Conservation of natural resources and ecology of the region. Alternatively improving the education, health, sanitation, and drinking water facilities.

Delivery Model

Synergize with the local

governing body

Identification of Partner family and resource management

Collaboration with tourism

businesses and youth hostels

Inclusion of Local schools,

PHCs and SHGs

Delivering tour package to

tourists, which also includes an opportunity to

volunteer

Innovation

Very few organizations are interested in bringing the hinterlands on the tourism map, and the government wishes to focus on it with the help of a few organizations. Today’s traveller wishes for offbeat experiences and we will be providing just that.

Challenges

Finding the right kind of travellers who would appreciate opportunities like ours. Safety of the travellers. Hassle prone immersion in the community. Inactive partner families. Apathy among travellers to the village environment.

Budgeting

For Estimated CostMarketing and advertising Rs.3000/ monthEntertainment Rs.2500/ groupFood & Lodging Rs.2000/ personTransfer from points Rs.500/ carMiscellaneous Rs.2000