Tourism in Gujarat gets a welcome boost as the state finance minister Kanu Desai, on February 24, presented his third budget in a row. During his budgetary speech, Desai focused on infrastructure development, promoting tourism, EV ecosystem and more.
The key focus areas of the 2023-24 state budget will be tourism, pilgrim places and civil aviation sectors, which received an increment of 346% funds.
Desai further emphasised, “The government has taken several measures to give momentum to the tourism sector in the state and thereby create new employment opportunities. These efforts are showing perceptible results. I announce an increase of 346 per cent in the budget for this division (tourism, pilgrim places and civil aviation).”
Moreover, a spending of Rs 10,000 crore has been proposed for the development of heritage and eco-tourism in Gujarat. Several perks have also been announced to boost tourism activities in Gujarat.
To ease the travelling of tourists to places of pilgrimage, a total allocation of Rs 2,077 crore is announced; Rs 706 crore will also be utilised for the coordinated development of iconic tourist locations and Rs 640 crore for the development of places that fall under religious, heritage, adventure and ecotourism.
Desai has also promised the development of Ambaji and Dharoi dam area with the allocation of Rs 300 crore as an international tourist destination and pilgrimage; and Rs 565 crore for Statue of Unity as tourist footfalls increased recently. The finance minister plans to set up a drive-in safari and museum in the vicinity of the monument. To facilitate the tourists, the finance minister has earmarked Rs 215 crore to develop the airstrip and airport.
Moreover, Rs 33 crore is allocated for heritage and cinematic tourism policy; there is good news for hospitality players as the minister has also announced a package of Rs 20 crore for the construction of tent cities at Shivrajpur beach, Nadabet, Dholavira, Kadana dam, and Dharoi.
State finance minister has also plans for the establishment of Yatradham Corridor to encourage tourism in Dwarka. In his budget speech, the minister also said that a new airport would come up at Dwarka and Keshod airport will be revamped.
An amount of Rs 8000 crore is proposed for the development of five tourist spots including SOU, Ambaji, Dharoi, Gir-Somnath, Dwarka Shivrajpur Beach.
Notably, the central government, in its union budget, introduced a few incentives to strengthen the tourism sector of the country.
Praveg Limited, with its core competence in hospitality and tourism, is all set for exponential growth as the company is successfully running three resorts at Narmada, Kutch, and Varanasi respectively. In addition to these resorts, Praveg has plans to launch several other resorts and theme parks at tourist-friendly destinations like Daman, Diu, Adalaj, and Rajasthan.
