RAJASTHAN is breaking the mould of lauding its heritage draws, as it gears up to promote itself as a destination for wildlife, eco- and adventure tourism, while dangling incentives for hotel development.
“We are changing the positioning of Rajasthan to a multiple-interest destination, attractive to diverse tourist groups from India and abroad,” said the state’s tourism minister, Bina Kak, at the inauguration of the Great Indian Travel Bazaar.
New tourism circuits are on the anvil, covering places such as the Keoladeo National Park Darrah Sanctuary, Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary.
In Ranthambore and Sariska, which are part of the traditional and popular circuits, the total area of tiger reserves is also being augmented from about 400km2 to 720km2.
Welcoming the creation of niche itineraries, Creative Travel joint managing director, Rohit Kohli, said: “Rajasthan has the natural landscape as well as centuries of history and culture around which multiple-interest itineraries can be built.”
In addition, new incentives are being offered to spur hotel development, said Rakesh Srivastava, principal secretary – tourism, Government of Rajasthan.
These include a 50 per cent reduction in luxury taxes in the low season for new hotels in selected locations, land conversion charges at about 20 per cent lower than commercial market rates and higher floor area ratios for the construction of hotels and resorts.
Rajasthan attracted 30 million tourists in 2012, of which 1.5 million were international arrivals.
