Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has been given the charge of the Culture and Tourism Minister in the new Cabinet that took oath of office on Sunday.
A senior member of the BJP, Shekhawat has been an elected MP from Jodhpur constituency in Rajasthan since 2014.
Along with him, Suresh Gopi, a first time MP From Thrissur, Kerala and Rao Inderjit Singh have been given the mantle as Ministers of State for Tourism and Culture, respectively.
The Rajasthan government, under the Parvat Mala Yojana, has unveiled plans to construct 16 ropeways across 12 districts, with notable connections including one between Roothi Rani Mahal and Hawa Mahal on Jaisamand Lake in Salumbar.
Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari recently discussed the ropeway project in Rajasthan under the Parvat Mata Yojana with Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari in Delhi. Subsequently, a comprehensive plan was developed to establish ropeways at 16 locations spanning 12 districts in Rajasthan.
To kickstart the project, proposals will be formulated and submitted to the Central government for approval. The Public Works Department and the Tourism Department have been tasked by the state government to identify suitable locations for the ropeways. Within five days, 16 locations across 12 districts were selected and submitted to the government.
In the initial phase, the Public Works Department and NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) will collaborate to set up the ropeways in Sawai Madhopur, Bundi, Jaipur, Salumbar, Rajsamand, Sikar, Jodhpur, Dausa, Baran, Banswara, Ajmer, and Chittorgarh.
The state government anticipates that the implementation of these ropeways will facilitate easier access to various religious sites in Rajasthan, consequently boosting tourism across the state. This ambitious project aims to enhance connectivity and accessibility, making significant cultural and heritage locations more accessible for both locals and tourists.
Tracking travel trends across India, OYO has published its World Tourism Day report focusing on India’s top spiritual, culture and heritage destinations.
As per the data analysed between January and June, 2023, Jaipur has emerged as the top cultural and heritage destination, followed by Agra, Mysore, Udaipur, and Jodhpur. Interestingly, Rajasthan alone contributes to 76% of the top bookings in this category, with Jaipur observing over 60% of the total bookings. This indicates a strong desire among travellers to explore the rich heritage and culture of the state.
In term of growth, Thekkady, situated near Periyar National Park in Kerala, takes the lead with a 103% increase in bookings compared to the same period last year, followed by Mysore at 42%, showcasing a growing preference among travellers for the Southern states.
Top Heritage Destinations- Zone Wise
North- Agra
South- Mysore
West- Jaipur
East- Bodh Gaya
The spiritual travel category is also witnessing a steady growing in India, fuelled by the desire to pursue enlightenment and self-discovery among millennials and Genz. Among the top spiritual destinations, Varanasi continues to take the lead with 33% of the bookings, followed by Tirupati, Puri, Amritsar, and Haridwar. Compared to H12022, Puri has clocked the maximum growth this year at 22%, followed by Haridwar and Amritsar at 18% and 11% respectively. Other destinations that continue to witness an uptick in demand in this category are Shirdi, Deoghar, Mathura, Vrindavan, and Madurai.
Top Spiritual Destinations- Zone Wise
North- Amritsar
South- Tirupati
West- Shirdi
East- Varanasi
Commenting on the summer travel trends, Shreerang Godbole, Chief Service Officer, OYO said, “As we celebrate the diversity of India’s travel landscape this World Tourism Day, we are happy to observe a shift in travellers’ preferences. More and more people are prioritizing meaningful experiences over luxury and materialism. Spiritual and cultural travel has always been important for India’s tourism, but it’s interesting to see how much it has grown in recent years. Destinations like Varanasi, Tirupati, Puri, and Rajasthan have consistently been popular since 2021. As India’s interest in cultural and spiritual travel grows, we’re committed to supporting local hotels and homeowners, creating job opportunities and boosting the local economy in the process.”
In an ambitious initiative aimed at transforming the state’s tourism landscape, the Rajasthan Tourism Department is actively identifying and developing new tourist destinations across all districts. This comprehensive endeavour encompasses development, restoration, and conservation efforts for two distinct tourist spots in each district. These projects are already underway, fuelled by the Tourism Development Fund, with the overarching goal of expanding tourism’s economic benefits to every corner of the state.
Gayatri Rathod, Principal Secretary, Rajasthan Tourism Department while emphasizing the alignment of this initiative with the 22-23 Budget Announcement, said, “We are proud to announce that two unique tourist destinations have been earmarked for development in each district. “This visionary plan not only aims to enhance existing tourist spots but also envisions the creation of entirely new attractions for visitors.”
Dr. Rashmi Sharma, Director, Rajasthan Tourism Department, said, “Our dedicated efforts are geared towards revitalizing the state’s tourism sector, benefiting all associated businesses and communities. With a total investment of 70.06 crore, development and renovation activities are currently underway in districts including Alwar, Ajmer, Bhilwara, Bundi, Bharatpur, Banswara, Dausa, Dungarpur, Jodhpur, Jhalawar, Jalore, Jhunjhunu, Karauli, Nagaur and Sirohi including Bikaner, Chittorgarh, Hanumangarh, Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Kota, Pratapgarh etc. These initiatives are set to breathe new life into Rajasthan’s tourism scene, offering a unique experience in every district.”
Dr. Sharma further highlights the collaborative approach taken by the Tourism Department, working hand-in-hand with various government departments, including the Forest Department, Archaeology Department, and Public Works Department, as well as municipal bodies, to ensure the success of these projects. The rapid pace of work reflects the commitment to reinvigorate Rajasthan’s tourism industry and offer diverse experiences to travellers from near and far regenerate.
The Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot has approved an initial amount of approximately INR 25 crore to set up a MICE (Meeting Incentive Conference and Exhibition) centre in Jodhpur, which is becoming popular for hosting national and international events. A tourism department official said the MICE centre would be built on 5,650 square metres on the premises of the Women Polytechnic College, for which the Jodhpur Development Authority has allotted 65,000 sq mt. During the first phase, facilities such as an exhibition hall, registration and information centre, administration block, VIP lounge, meeting space for trade and business, and a parking area will be constructed, the official added.
MICE tourism, rapidly expanding in Rajasthan, offers numerous opportunities in the tourism industry. In his 2023–24 Budget, Gehlot announced the development of MICE centres for international level conventions and exhibitions in the popular tourism hotspots of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Ajmer. Each of these centres will cost approximately INR 100 crore.
To boost tourism, the budget of the Tourism Development Fund was increased from around INR 1,000 crore to INR 1,500 crore this year. “Rajasthan is becoming one of the primary choices for MICE tourism operators,” the official said.
In April, the state hosted the 12th Great Indian Travel Bazaar, in which 283 tour operators from 56 different nations participated. A similar event, the Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart (RDTM), was held this month, with participation from 200 sellers and an equal number of buyers. These events indicate that Rajasthan is well-prepared to become a leader in the MICE tourism sector as well.
Rajasthan possesses all the ingredients for a flourishing tourism sector, such as well-known tourist attractions, historical sites, distinctive heritage villages and Shilpgrams, experiential tourism, desert tourism, adventure tourism, wildlife and eco-tourism, tribal tourism, cultural tourism, craft and cuisine tourism, weekend getaway tourism, religious tourism, wedding tourism, wellness tourism (medical tourism), rural tourism, and film tourism, among others. (Source The Business Standard)
On July 7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh as part of his multi-state visit. The first train is the Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express, which is likely to be an eight-coach train and the first mini version of the semi high-speed train in the state. It will connect Gorakhpur, Ayodhya, and Lucknow, with a stop at Basti. The train is expected to cover a distance of 302 km via Ayodhya junction in less than four hours.
The second train is the Jodhpur-Sabarmati Vande Bharat Express, which will improve connectivity between Jodhpur in Rajasthan and Ahmedabad in Gujarat. It will connect cities like Pali, Abu Road, Palanpur, and Mehsana on its route. The train is expected to cover a distance of 400 km in about 6.5 hours. Currently, the journey on this route takes over 7.5 to 9 hours depending on different trains.
The Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express will benefit tourist places like Kushinagar, Siddharthnagar, and Sant Kabir Nagar, enhancing their connectivity. Similarly, the Jodhpur-Sabarmati Vande Bharat Express will improve connectivity between Rajputana and Ahmedabad.
The trial run of the Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express was conducted on July 4. The Jodhpur-Sabarmati Vande Bharat Express is expected to operate six days a week, excluding Sundays. The ticket prices for both trains are expected to range between ₹800 and ₹1600 per person.
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