Published on : Wednesday, July 4, 2018
The knowledge paper suggested measures like launching tourism-specific Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) rankings greater private sector participation to improve tourism infrastructure in the country. As per the paper, ‘EoDB Tourism State Rankings’ can be introduced with comprehensive parameters for assessment of state initiatives. A uniform format can be introduced for collection and publishing of tourism data and statistics across states and districts to facilitate easier decision making by investing. and measure impact of initiatives of various states and other stakeholders.
“The way forward is a focused approach for evolving tourist places under the aviation connectivity scheme and expanding existing routes under UDAN scheme including helicopter routes in hilly and north-eastern regions. This will provide good infrastructural support to the tourism sector,” said Usha Padhee, joint secretary, civil aviation at the launch of the report.
There is a huge inventory of tourism infrastructure owned by state tourism departments as well as interconnected sectors like forest bungalows, many of which boast of exquisite locations that are lying idle or have further potential to upgrade and attract more visitors.
The private sector can be roped in to operate, improve or refurbish such properties and thus also boosting the room inventory. Promoting the MICE sector, attracting investments for medical and wellness tourism and creating an on . repository of land banks were some of the other suggestions.