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Haryana Tourism Adopts Aggressive Route
Neeti Chopra - New Delhi
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We are developing different parts
of Haryana to cater to different segments in tourism. For instance, Morni
offers adventure tourism, while Kurukshetra is conducive to promoting
religious tourism and Sohana is the perfect place to enjoy health tourism
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In a bid to push its tourism aggressively, Haryana Tourism is focussing on
developing its properties as complete tourist destinations rather than a stopover
under its Destination Development Programme. Yadavindra Gardens at Pinjore,
Badkhal Lake and Surajkund in Faridabad are the three heritage sites that have
been chosen for conservation and restoration under this scheme. The two lakes
at Karnal and Rohtak, namely Karna Lake and Tilyar Lake respectively, will also
be developed as major tourist attractions. Restoration work at Jyotisar and
other historical shrines at Kurukshetra has already been initiated under this
scheme.
Though a major share of the funding for the conservation and development plan
has been given by the Government of India, the state government too is contributing
for it. Vijai Vardhan, director, Haryana Tourism & managing director, Haryana
Tourism Corporation, mentioned, "Hotel Rajhans at Surajkund is being developed
as convention and conference centre for corporate companies. A conference hall
with a capacity of 1000 people will be ready in next three months along with
four other convention halls each with a capacity of 100 people. An investment
of Rs 5 crore is being made into this project. We are also planning to introduce
a spa and a health club at Surajkund."
A sum of Rs 5 crore has also been earmarked for the conservation of the Mughal
Gardens at Pinjore and all 'bowlis' (water bodies) in the surrounding areas.
"The restoration work will begin by January 2006. The Tourism Department
is trying to hire consultants to identify how the Mughal Gardens can be beautified
and explore the scope of restoration work of buildings like Rang Mahal, Jal
Mahal and Sheesh Mahal," informed Vardhan. Among various other initiatives,
Haryana Tourism is also looking at setting up a master plan for Kurukshetra.
As per the plan, the tourism ministry would appoint consultants to conduct an
in-depth research of the destination with the purpose of identifying promising
tourism spots in the region.
Haryana Tourism Corporation seems to be in robust health as it recorded a turnover
of Rs 136 crore and earned a profit of Rs 1.5 to 2 crore during last year. Commenting
on the marketing strategy to increase inbound numbers into Haryana, Vardhan
said, "We are developing different parts of Haryana to cater to different
segments in tourism. For instance, Morni offers adventure tourism, while Kurukshetra
is conducive to promoting religious tourism and Sohana is the perfect place
to enjoy health tourism. In this way each of these products have their own value
and it would attract both the inbound and domestic tourists. Presently, we are
in process of consolidating and therefore we are not looking at opening up new
properties."
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