Despite economic uncertainty in some of the source markets, Rajasthan managed to achieve good growth in inbound and domestic arrivals in 2012. “We received 30 million tourists including 1.5 million foreign tourists. While the growth in foreign tourist arrival was approximately eight per cent, domestic tourists’ numbers were up by 6.75 per cent. Overall, the tourism industry witnessed 5.74 per cent growth in arrival,” Rakesh Srivastava, Principal Secretary (Tourism), Govt. of Rajasthan said. Rajasthan expects an increase of around seven to eight per cent in foreign arrivals in calendar year 2013, he revealed.
To achieve this aim, Rajasthan Tourism has initiated a slew of measures to expand tourism offerings and upgrade infrastructure at major tourist sites. “In our all plans, we have different types of development projects. We are opening new areas for tourists. We are developing Bisalpur dam area to promote eco tourism. We have taken steps to develop Sambhar (salt lake) as a tourist spot. Sambhar is the largest inland salt lake in the country. We are restoring basic tourist infrastructure to promote it as a unique destination,” he informed. According to him, Rajasthan Government will focus on restoration of British-era infrastructure including heritage buildings, the Salt Museum, Circuit House and rail tracks in the short run. “In the long run, public sector undertakings Hindustan Salts and India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) will further create tourism infrastructure and promote it,” he said.
Moreover, the state tourism department is also developing new destinations and circuits. “Our plan is to develop Jaisalmer-Jodhpur Desert Circuit and Ajmer–Pushkar circuit. We are also developing a mega tourism project in Jaipur. We have submitted the plan for the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur circuit and mega tourism project of Jaipur to the Union Tourism Ministry,” he revealed. According to him, Rajasthan has an investment-friendly policy such as low land conversion charges at select areas, liberal Floor Area Ratio (FAR), and 50 per cent remission of Luxury Tax for start-up ventures. “Our tourism Budget for 2013-14 is Rs 40 crores and we are also getting support from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. We will receive Rs 25 crores from Centre this year,” he said.
Replying to a question over the performance of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation’s (RTDC) property, Srivastava said that 22 properties are not performing well and we have taken a decision to hand over these properties to state government, State Power Finance Corporation. “In lieu of this, the state government will reimburse the market value of these properties to RTDC. The remaining 20 properties are performing well,” he said.
