TOURISM TAKES NEW PROFILE

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The Government has taken several steps during the last 3 years to give new profile to Tourism. It has been declared a priority area in view of its economic potential, accordingly significant increase in financial allocations, new infrastructure projects at micro level, new integrated tourism circuits, cultural hubs in each State and other initiatives have been taken. After assuming charge, the present Government combed tourism with culture to fulfil long felt need of establishing synthesis between two.

New Tourism Policy

New National Tourism policy announced by the Government to position tourism as a major engine of economic growth and to harness its multiplier effects for employment generation and economic development. The new policy attempts to position India as a global brand to take advantage of the burgeoning global travel and trade and the vast untapped potential of India as a destination. It acknowledges the critical role of private sector with Government working as a pro-active facilitator and catalyst. The policy creates and develops integrated tourism circuits based on India’s unique civilization, heritage, and culture in partnership with states, private sector and other agencies. It also ensure that the tourist to India gets physically invigorated, mentally rejuvenated, culturally enriched, spiritually elevated and "feel India from within".

Tourism and Cultural hubs in each State

In order to synthesis elements of tourism and culture the centre has decided to set up at least one hub in each State which will work as a Centre to project art and cultural heritage of India. Places of tourism interest and cultural heritage will be linked at the hub with improved infrastructure. Documentation centre and interpretation centre, handicrafts emporium and other similar facilities will be crated at these hubs to familiarise rich heritage and civilisation values. Tourists visiting these hubs will be physically invigorated, mentally rejuvenated, culturally enriched and spiritually elevated. First of this kind hub has already been set up at Ajanta in Maharashtra.

Five-fold increase in tourism allocation

Realising the importance of tourism in the all round development of economy and job generation, Tenth Plan allocation for the sector has been increased five fold, from Rs. 595 crore to Rs. 2900 crore. Annual allocation for 2002-03 also enhanced from Rs. 150 crore to Rs. 225 crore.

Incentives to Travel & hospitality Industry to promote tourism

Several incentives for tourism and travel industry announced in order to provide boost to infrastructure development which include interest subsidy to the hospitality industry, exemption of air travel tax for north-east, increase in threshold limit for levy on expenditure tax.

Collaboration with technological institute for conservation of monuments

The engineering/scientific departments have been involved in scientific studies in the preservation for centrally protected monuments. The Taj Mahal will be taken care of by Central Building Research Institute, Rurkee, Structural Engineering Research Institute, Ghaziabad, Earthquake Engineering Department, Rurkee and National Geographical Research Institute, Hyderabad. The IIT, Khargpur will conserve the Jagannath Temple, Puri. National Geographical Research Institute, Hyderabad, will maintain Char Minar, Hyderabad. The Ajanta and Allora Caves have been handed over to the Geo-technical Studies of Rock through Geological Studies of India. IIT, Chennai has been roped in to study the earthquake-affected monuments of Gujarat.

National Cultural Fund

In order to encourage private sectors’ participation in the preservation, restoration and upgradation of infrstructure of the historical monuments, a new scheme has been initiated which enables institutions and the public at large to contribute for culture related activities. Work at Humayun’s Tomb, Jantar Mantar, Qutub Minar, Taj Mahal, Khajuraho, Konark and Hampi have already initiated under the scheme.

Nizam’s Jewellery and Picasso : metamorphoses 1900 to 1972 at display

The exhibition of ‘Nizam’s Jewellery the rarest cultural treasure of the country was displayed. It attracted a large number of visitors from abroad also. Picasso : Metamorphoses 1900 - 1972 was also organised to apprise of the work of legendary painter.