Friday, December 1, 2006

UP Tourism Planning Innovative Strategies for Revenue Generation

A whole new set of projects and plans are underway at UP Tourism, so as to increase the revenue generation from present infrastructure and tourist destinations falling within the state of UP. The plans also include giving a new push to the much talked about public-private partnership, so that more revenue is generated at minimum investment by the tourism department for the state exchequer.
The new plans are sure to add to the present tourist and entertainment infrastructure in various towns and cities in UP, very much on the lines of Jaypee Hotel in Agra, which is built on nearly 25 acres of land provided by UP Tourism. Projects for resorts and hotels, water parks and other entertainment infrastructure are up-for-grab for those willing to invest in this sector.
Additionally, the tourism department is planning to develop the new tourist circuits further like the Mahabharat circuit including the regions of Baghpat, Indraprastha, Maripat and Bijnaur alongwith the villages related to the Pandavas that now fall under Haryana. Adding to the existing facilities in the Buddhist circuit is also on prime focus.
Another area of major focus is the 150th anniversary celebrations of the First War of Independence, 1857. Since most of the cities that became centres of unrest and uprising against the British colonial forces now fall under Uttar Pradesh, the state is planning to give this a major push, with several programs and events lined up during the entire year of celebration.
All this information was shared by the present managing director of UP Tourism, Dr. Om Prakash, in an exclusive tete-a-tete with The Hi Time Express.
It is Dr. Prakash’s intuitive genius alone that has resulted in arguably the most innovative of all marketing plans developed by UP Tourism so far. Perhaps taking cue from the idea of highway tourism initiated by Reliance through its upcoming chain of budget hotels on major highways across the country, UP Tourism is drawing plans to start Tourist Clubs in its various tourist hotels and guest houses, to rope in the local residents. Special membership drives will be promoted in various cities, where there are such properties. These include the cities of Moradabad, Kannauj, Raibareilly and Nawabganj on the strategic Kanpur-Lucknow highway to start with.
Dr. Prakash is of the view that through this membership drive, they will be able to rope in several local residents as permanent members of the Tourist Clubs, who will eventually patronize the restaurant and various other amenities within these premises on discounted rates. Indoor game facilities like TT and carrom-board, special dal-bati parties, local kitty parties and musical or folk evenings can be organized on regular basis to attract members. It is hoped that this new plan will not only generate some added money to change the age-old crockery, furniture, etc. in these properties, refurbish them further and also bring more money for UP Tourism, which is always welcome.

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