Uttar Pradesh to top the tourist destinations in the country under new ‘UP Tourism Policy, 2018’

To push Uttar Pradesh to the top of tourist destinations in the country, the Yogi Adityanath government approved a new ‘UP Tourism Policy, 2018’ with a target to generate 5 lakh jobs annually by investing Rs 5000 crore per year for the next five years. The new policy will also aim to achieve an annual increase of 15 per cent domestic tourists and 10 per cent foreign tourists arrival in the state. Announcing the new policy, Tourism minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi said in Luccknow on Monday that the policy, which will remain in force for five year, will grant the status of industry to all activities of tourism sector.

Besides, the policy will target one lakh additional tourists to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the state and will convert 10 heritage building to heritage hotels per year.  The policy was approved by the state cabinet last week after two months of discussion among 24 departments. The policy will give special focus to promote eco-tourism and drive local entrepreneurship avenues through execution of fairs and festivals while Tourism department will create land bank for promoting tourism in the state.

 “The Tourism policy will lay a foundation to make UP the most preferred tourism destination in the country by increasing tourist arrivals and recording highest tourist receipts, develop tourism circuits and providing other facilities. Safety and security of all tourists, especially women, will remain the utmost priority for the state government,” Joshi said. The minister, who will lead a high level team of the state officials to the five-day Berlin Tourism meet to be held from March 7, said that the new policy will provide a wide range of financial incentives and benefits to investors. Already, the state Tourism department has received an investment of over Rs 10,000 crore as 23 companies have shown interest. “All benefits would be offered within 20 kms of all tourist sites of 10 tourism circuits including Ramayan circuit, Krishna/Braj circuit, Buddhist circuit, wildlife and Eco tourism circuit, Bundelkhand circuit, Mahabharata circuit, Shakti Peeth Circuit, Aadhyatmik circuit, Sufi/ Kabir circuit and Jain circuit,” she said.

In the new policy, the interest subsidy would be 5 per cent of the loan amount with maximum of Rs 25 lakhs, 100 per cent waiver on stamp duty, conversion and development charges besides reimbursement of 100 per cent of hospitality related courses fee up to Rs 10,000 per year, per person.  The government will also provide Rs 5 lakh subsidy to individuals or groups involved in reviving indigenous and scarce art, music, craft, folk dance and cuisine of UP.

The new policy will grant a highest of 25 per cent subsidy to light and sound and lazer programmes, 20 per cent incentive to new budget hotels, tented accommodation, heritage sites, 15 per cent to new hotels, resorts, wellness centres and convention centres.

The new policy also focusses on introduction of Bed and Breakfast scheme, which is also applicable to Ashrams. “Under this scheme the establishment will remain under residential category and domestic rate for electricity and water tax will be charged,” the minister said.

Joshi said that the state government has enhanced Tourism budget to Rs 687 crores from Rs 347 crores with an additional Rs 650 crores to b provided by the Centre for different schemes. “ The state government has assured to provide Rs 1000 crores for the implementation of the new tourism policy of which Rs 70 crores have already been sanctioned,” Joshi said.

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Aiming to make Kumbh Mela an international event, the state government has made plans to invite foreigners to experience the religious grandeur. Besides, it  will also ensure that at least four people from each village of India visit Kumb slated for January, 2019 

“Just think of the magnitude of this Kumbh Mela when people from 6.5 lakh villages take part in this. This would be a top-notch event which will be showcased by the government for international  tourists,” Tourism minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi said on Monday.

She revealed that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and requested the Union government to  make efforts to woo foreign tourists at the Kumbh in January next year.

“This is important because UNESCO has declared Kumbh as Most Intangible Cultural Heritage of Mankind,” she said.

Disclosing details, Joshi said that the meeting between the CM and External Affairs minister was very successful and the state government is hoping a good number of international tourists during the Mela.

“The Tourism department will also provide security to domestic and foreign tourists and recommended setting up Tourist police stations in four more places in the state including Allahabad and Varanasi,” the minister said.