UTDB Envisages Rs 1,200 Crore From Private Sector For Projects & Master Plans

Alok Kumar Jain

Arun Srivastava

Uttaranchal tourism has a new team in place, which promises to strengthen the state's tourism prospects further. Alok Kumar Jain, principal secretary, Tourism, and chief executive officer, Uttaranchal Tourism Development Board (UTDB) and Arun Srivastava, director-marketing and publicity, UTDB, in an interview with Reema Sisodia, spell out the state’s tourism initiatives and plan

What are the plans and initiatives that have been taken up by the Uttaranchal Tourism Development Board?

• In the last couple of years, we have identified and started development work on following new circuits :

  a) Pauri - Khirsu - Lansdowne

  b) Joshimath - Auli - Badrinath

  c) Pithoragarh - Musyari - Berinag

  d) Raithal - Barsu - Dayara Bugyal

• Various infrastructure related development initiatives were taken, such as -

  a) Development of 44 Tourist Convenience Centres (TCC) / Tourist Information Centres (TIC)

  b) Development of national level Institute of Hotel & Catering Management in Dehradun.

  c) Development of Ghats under Great Green Vista project in Haridwar.

  d) Plastic Densification plant for the disposal of garbage which has been heaped over many years of unregulated tourism. This is important in a ecologically sensitive state like ours.

  e) Mobile help vans on the Char Dham route for tourists during Char Dham yatra period.

• Various feasibility studies were conducted :

  a) Ropeway in Rishikesh & Kedarnath

  b) Mountain airlines

  c) Golf Tourism

• Launch of training programme for the service providers such as - taxi and bus drivers, conductors, dhaba owners, porters, staff of various private sector small & medium size hotels & lodges.
• On the marketing and promotion front, we have adopted a very selective and focused approach both in domestic as well as International marketing. We have been focusing on Western Europe market and have also appointed an international public relations agency based in Germany to assist us in effective PR activities. We have organised media FAM groups from various important international publications. UTDB has been a participant at International Travel exhibitions such as WTM, ITB & ATM.

What are the developments in the area of private investment? What are the infrastructure development projects that are soon to be implemented?

A total investment of Rs 1,200 crore from private sector is envisaged for implementation of various projects and master plans.

Which are the hotels that are scheduled to set base in the state? When will the projects be operational?

Work is in progress for a 100 rooms budget hotel by Taj Group in Haridwar. It is expected to be completed by the end 2005. Country Inn Suites rooms- a 60 rooms tourist hotel has just started recently in Haridwar.

What are the plans with regards to spending in tourism building?

We have sought financial assistance from Government of India for various developmental initiatives. Under Phase I, proposal worth Rs. 33 crores have been submitted. Some of the key proposals are:

a) Development of tourist circuits & destinations such as Nainital - Almora - Ranikhet, Hemkund - Ghangharia - Valley of Flowers, destination development at Kedarnath and Gangotri. Development of village tourism in Loharkhet, Bacham Khati in Bageshwar district.

b) Feasibility studies for camping tourism, wellness tourism, ropeway between Dehradun & Mussoorie etc. are being proposed.

d) In Phase II, we aim to submit proposals for feasibility studies on golf and military tourism.

Could you provide details on the concept of mountain airlines?

The concept of mountain airlines is in a very preliminary stage as of now. The feasibility study is being carried out considering following

Development of mountain airlines had two strong focii :

• Development of suitable structure for operation of commercial airlines
• Development of suitable infrastructure at the airports

Since the market study was commissioned, the ground realities in the aviation sector had changed significantly (from operation of three large operators) to a number of operators (most of the new entrants being in the budget class). The focus of the study was initially to develop an appreciation of the market for aviation sector in Uttaranchal. The results of the market study have established a prima-facie case of attractiveness for the existing and new operators. The market study results shared in the New Delhi conference, further, evidenced the hypothesis. The study results indicate potential of about 30,000 to 40,000 (two way fares) for travel to Uttaranchal.

Apart from religious and adventure tourism what is it that the state aims to sell?

We aim to focus on promotion of rural tourism, eco tourism, spiritual tourism yoga and meditation, wildlife tourism.