Mega desert circuit @ 50 crore

Talking about the focus areas for promotion of tourism in 2015, Principal Secretary Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, SK Agarwal says they are looking at better air connectivity, developing new circuits, and the launch of the revised Tourism Unit Policy.

QIn

his budget speech the Finance Minister mentioned providing resources to Kumbalgarh and other hill forts in the state. What is happening in that direction?

Kumbhalgarh and other hill forts like Amber, Chittorgarh, Gangron, Jaisalmer, and Ranthambore have been declared World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO. The state government will be doing the needful to develop these hill forts. That the Union Budget has earmarked funds for its development is surely a welcome step. We are also making efforts to enlist fresco paint-

The funds are being used to develop tourism infrastructure, new circuits, upgradation of museums and monuments.

QWhat

are your focus areas for promotion of tourism in 2015?

There are a number of focus areas for Rajasthan, among them are MICE, spiritual, health and wellness, adventure, wildlife and wedding. It would be appropriate to mention here that in the latest budget the state government has given high priority to the tourism sector. For instance, there is a 68% hike in allocation for tourism art and culture in 2015-16 vis-à-vis the last financial year. A

` sum of 35 crore has been earmarked for the development of tourist destinations while

` another 20 crore has been earmarked for the development of various museums and panoramas. The travel mart, Great Indian Travel Bazaar, will be once again held in Jaipur. The year 2015 will finally see Rajasthan becoming an all-important tourism hub. There will be development in new circuits, infrastructure, and increase in night tourism, creation of more rooms and the launch of the revised Tourism Unit Policy. We are also hoping for improved air connectivity in cities like Kota, Udaipur and Jodhpur.

QWhat

is the tourist influx that you are looking at this year? Have you developed any new circuit for promotion this year?

There has been an increase of 9% on the arrival of tourists in the financial year 2014-15. With concerted efforts both in marketing as well as development of infrastructure and new circuits – it is hoped that increasingly more tourists will visit Rajasthan. The state is developing the mega desert circuit (Jaisalmer-JodhpurBikaner-Sambhar-Pali-Mount Abu) at the

` cost of 50 crore. The state is also planning new circuits on ‘handicrafts’, ‘birding’ and ‘spirituality’.

QFor

the first time, forts and monuments will remain open at night. What was the tourists’ reaction?

Well, we have recently begun night tourism with the Amer Fort. The response has been encouraging with over 200 tourists and visitors each evening. The number is gradually increasingly. In times to come Night Tourism will also be introduced in other forts and monu- ments. Adequate arrangements are being made for security. The Sound and Light Show is already operational at Amer Fort, Jantar Mantar, Kumbhalgarh and Akbari Quila in Ajmer. More monuments will soon have this facility.

QThe

Archaeological Survey of India is planning to open the 5,000-year-old Kalibangan site for tourists. How are you planning to develop the site?

Since ASI is opening the Kalibangan site, the state government will surely look into how the area can be developed and its connectivity improved.

QWhat

are the MICE opportunities that you plan to tap?

We will be pitching Rajasthan as an ideal destination for MICE. In fact, a large number of hotels have been successfully organizing prestigious international conferences and conventions. The newlydeveloped Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre ( JECC) at Sitapura near Jaipur has become a popular venue for MICE events. Jaipur’s Birla Auditorium is known pan-India for its prestigious and international conferences.

QHow

has swine flu affected tourism in Rajasthan?

There has been negligible effect of swine flu in tourist arrivals in the state. The situation is under control.

QWhat

are your expectations from Rajasthan Divas 2015?

The expectations are that the event becomes a popular annual draw for the visitors and tourists. We are hoping that the Rajasthan Festival will attain the same dimensions as the Jaipur Literature Festival in terms of popularity.

The state is developing the mega desert circuit (Jaisalmer-Jodhpur-BikanerSambhar-Pali-Mount Abu) at the cost of 50 crore. The state is also planning new circuits on ‘handicrafts’,

‘birding’ and ‘spirituality’