TBM Staff - Mumbai The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department will host a ‘Heritage Conclave’ in Lucknow on December 7 in an attempt to “unlock the economic and cultural potential of the state’s heritage properties”, officials said.
Nearly 250 prominent hoteliers, investors, real estate professionals, and consultants from across the country will attend the event where they will engage with at least 60 members from erstwhile royal families who own some of the region’s most iconic heritage properties.
The state government plans to transform the forts, palaces, and mansions into heritage hotels, wedding destinations, wellness centres, resorts, and cultural hubs while preserving their original architecture, features, and historical essence, it is learnt.
The initiative, if successful, could position UP as a premier destination for heritage tourism, attracting travellers from India and around the world, an official said.
State Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said Uttar Pradesh has emerged as one of the fastest-growing states in the tourism sector in the recent years.
In 2023, the state welcomed over 48 crore tourists, with destinations like Ayodhya, Kashi, Mathura, and Prayagraj being the most popular attractions, he said.
“The state has an immense potential for heritage tourism having a large number of forts, palaces, and mansions. By promoting these heritage sites, the state can attract even more tourists. Following the example of states like Rajasthan and Gujarat in heritage tourism, the UP Tourism Department is gearing up to make similar development here,” the Minister said.
Under the initiative, the Tourism Department recently leased six properties—Chunar Fort in Mirzapur, Baruasagar Fort in Jhansi, Chattar Manzil in Lucknow, Barsana Mahal in Mathura, Shukla Talab in Kanpur Dehat, and Roshan-ud-Daula in Lucknow — on public-private partnership (PPP) model.
The department will sign memorandums of understanding (MOUs) for these properties during the Heritage Conclave. The department is also preparing to develop other properties on a similar model. The government, Minister Singh said, also aims to develop and repurpose numerous properties owned by royal families across the state.
(Source: The Indian Express)
