Money for spots will help revive tourism
VARANASI: A provision of Rs 100 crore in the UP budget for 2021-22 made for the development of tourism facilities and beautification of tourism spots in Varanasi will help promote religious tourism in the constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said experts.
“Proper planning and focused approach are required to revive the tourism sector eagerly waiting for the arrival of foreign tourists,” said Atul Tripathi, professor at department of history of arts and tourism management, BHU.
“It is good that the UP government made a provision of Rs 100 crore in its budget for development of tourism facilities. To promote tourism in Varanasi, there is need to develop facilities to promote eco-tourism,” he said.
“Facilities for tourists at tourism spots, including waterfalls in Chandauli and other natural locations like in Sonbhadra and Mirzapur should be developed,” said Prof Tripathi.
Promotion of eco-tourism will increase stay duration of foreign tourists in Varanasi and thus tourism sector will get a boost.
Rahul Mehta of Varanasi Tourism Welfare Association is of the same opinion.
“Lakhania Dari, Devdari in Chandauli, Windham fall in Mirzapur and several other scenic hills covered with forests and Salkhan fossil parks in Sonbhadra may be the most soughtafter locations in Eastern UP, if eco-tourism in promoted,” he said.
Padma Shri Dr Rajnikant, a social worker and GI expert, said the provision of funds in the budget for welfare of craftsmen will help promote and conserve handicraft items made in Varanasi and surrounding region. The handicraft items with GI tag will go global from local.
An official of tourism department said the provision would help materialize project of Tent City along the Ganga.