Why in news:

• The Union Territory administration of Jammu and Kashmir has announced partnership with hospitality tech company OYO to launch a rural tourism initiative.

Key Points:

• The rural tourism initiative, named 'Crown of Incredible India', has been launched across the Union Territory to give a boost to the distressed tourism industry and turn the youth into start-up entrepreneurs in Jammu and Kashm.
• Under the tourism initiative, OYO will also partner with the Centre's 'Mission Youth' programme to open homestays across 75 villages to promote entrepreneurship and create self-employment opportunities.
• According to the concerned officials, the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the OYO Group launched rural homestay under project 'Crown of Incredible India' to encourage micro-entrepreneurs in the villages. The administration is hopeful that this It will revitalise local art and crafts and redevelopment of rural areas. "
• As per the mandate of the partnership, the Union Territory administration’s mission youth department has identified 75 villages under the tourist village network. They will partner with OYO, not just to generate jobs, but to improve the local economy and infrastructure.
• The Union Territory administration has further underlined that rural homestays in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra have started to rival conventional tourism. Having the most beautiful locales in the country, Jammu and Kashmir is determined to catch up with the emerging trends. This partnership is being touted to mark the start of a new chapter in the region which will potentially lead to increase in prosperity of rural areas and create new employment opportunities.