A Study on the Role of Smart Tourism Tools in Advancing the Jharkhand Mining Tourism Circuit: Digital Pathways to Mining Tourism

Abstract

Since the launch of the Jharkhand Mining Tourism Circuit under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation (JTDC) and Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), mining tourism has recently become a forefront aspect of destination development in Jharkhand. The initiative’s long-term success depends on integrating digital and smart-tourism capabilities that improve accessibility, safety, and tourist engagement, even as it aims to turn industrial heritage into an educational and experiential asset. This study explores the impact of smart-tourism methods in advancing Jharkhand’s mining tourism strategy using secondary data collected from government reports, media coverage, academic research, and international standards of excellence. According to the findings, digital pathways may significantly boost the circuit’s appeal. This includes online booking, mobile applications, GIS mapping, virtual tours, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), and digital safety briefings. Mining heritage sites’ evidence shows immersive technology may improve educational outreach while providing an efficient alternative to risky or restricted areas. According to an analysis of recent publications, Jharkhand has a strong institutional base thanks to the JTDC–CCL partnership. Still, it lacks an adequate digital transformation strategy, sufficient financing sources, and local capacity to adopt modern technologies. According to the report, digital tool integration into the mining circuit is a structural necessity for sustainability, safety, and inclusivity rather than just an advertising strategy. With a focus on collaborations with Indian virtual heritage companies, safety-first procedures, and community engagement in digital storytelling, it concludes with a proposed framework for progressive digital integration. Such initiatives could establish Jharkhand as India’s competent industrial heritage tourism leader.