"Uttar Pradesh Government Targets Rs. 32,000 Crore Investment in Hospitality Sector"

The Uttar Pradesh government is setting its sights on attracting investments totaling Rs 32,000 crore into the state's hospitality and tourism industry, revealed a senior government official.

Projections suggest that the annual tourist footfall in the state is expected to soar to 850 million by the year 2028. To address the burgeoning demand, the government aims to add approximately 80,000 accommodation units through the development of hotels, resorts, and homestays, thereby bridging the gap in room availability.

"The state is keen on fortifying its hospitality infrastructure by augmenting accommodation units in key tourism hubs like Varanasi, Ayodhya, Prayagraj, and Agra," stated the official.

In a bid to capitalize on its rich heritage, Uttar Pradesh is offering heritage properties, including forts and palaces, to the private sector for development. Additionally, the state government is optimistic about the prospects of homestays, particularly for budget-conscious travelers.

Encouraging homeowners to enlist their properties for homestays, and inviting owners of heritage properties to convert them into heritage hotels, Uttar Pradesh aims to cater to a diverse range of tourists.

Recently, the UP tourism department inked an agreement with rural homestay providers to cater to backpackers seeking a unique "farm stay" experience intertwined with local culture, cuisine, and folklore.

Jaiveer Singh, Minister of Tourism and Culture for UP, highlighted that the state also offers subsidies under the Tourism Policy 2022 to facilitate the establishment of distinctive countryside farm stays. Selected villages are transformed into rural tourism hubs under this initiative.

Furthermore, Uttar Pradesh is keen on developing multi-experience circuits, including wellness centers, and enhancing connectivity to Buddhist destinations like Sarnath and Kaushambi, linking them with popular tourist destinations such as Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya.

With a focus on diversifying tourism experiences, the state is actively developing adventure tourism, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions), wellness, and ecotourism.

Uttar Pradesh has already initiated approximately 500 tourism and related infrastructure projects in Ayodhya, Varanasi, Vrindavan, Prayagraj, Kushinagar, and Mirzapur, encompassing the development of hotels, resorts, guesthouses, and infrastructure enhancements.

BS