State expects 50 million tourists by year end, meeting its 2020 target

Pradeep Kumar Borar, director department of tourism, said that the state had received 47 million tourists in 2017.

jaipur Updated: Jul 19, 2018 22:51 IST

Tourists enjoy their trip to Hawa Mahal with a folk dancer in Pink City.(HT FILE PHOTO)

Rajasthan is expecting 50 million tourists to visit the desert state by the year-end, meeting its 2020 target, a senior official said.

Pradeep Kumar Borar, director department of tourism, said that the state had received 47 million tourists in 2017.

“The state witnessed more than 20% growth in arrivals of domestic and foreign tourists in the first quarter of this year. The hotel industry had occupancy of almost 65% in the state in 2016-17,” said Borar.

“The Palace on Wheels, Rajasthan’s famous luxury heritage train, has also registered the highest occupancy of over 60%. The aggressive and creative marketing campaign of Rajasthan Tourism has translated into an impressive increase in tourist arrivals. The state government is focusing on tourism which gives a big economic boost,” he added.

Addressing a press conference organised by Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart (RDTM) Borar said that RDTM will be organised from July 20 to July 22 in Jaipur. The inaugural session will be held at Hotel Clarks Amer, the pre-scheduled B2B meetings will be held on July 21 and July 22 at the BM Birla Convention Centre.

Senior vice-president, Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR) Randhir Vikram Singh said that as many as 200 domestic tour operators and travel writers from 29 States and seven Union Territories will be taking part in the mega event.

“The RDTM 2018 will witness around 69,00 pre-scheduled, structured B2B meetings over two days,” he said. He added that RDTM is focused on developing and promoting the lesser known destinations such as Shekhawati, Bikaner, Khimsar, Luni, Jaisalmer and Kumbhalgarh.

Singh said the RDTM has been organised by the tourism department in association with FHTR.

Secretary general, FHTR, Gyan Parakash said that special preference is being given to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. “New tourism products will be unveiled during the RDTM, which is a first-of-its-kind event being organised in India,” said Prakash.