Disha Shah Ghosh - Mumbai Uttar Pradesh is taking significant strides to promote experiential heritage tourism, drawing inspiration from Rajasthan’s successful model. At the ‘Heritage Conclave’ held on Saturday, Prateek Hira, Chairman of FICCI UP, highlighted how Rajasthan has effectively transformed its forts, havelis, and palaces into self-sustaining tourism hubs, leveraging the adaptive reuse of heritage structures.
“The desert state has created a self-sustained economy through the reuse of heritage buildings. Similarly, heritage tourism has the potential to transform U.P.’s economy and identity,” Hira stated.
Organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, the conclave brought together over 60 royal families and key stakeholders to explore ways of revitalising Uttar Pradesh’s heritage sites into major tourism destinations.
Heritage Policy 2024 Unveiled
A key moment of the event was the unveiling of the Heritage Policy 2024 by Eesha Priya, Special Secretary, U.P. Tourism. The policy focuses on adaptive reuse of heritage buildings and includes incentives such as subsidies for property owners.
“Under the new policy, any building over 100 years old can be converted into heritage hotels, homestays, convention centres, wellness retreats, or boutique properties,” Priya explained. The policy is designed to work on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, stimulating growth in the hospitality sector while ensuring sustainable development of heritage tourism.
Transforming Heritage into Experiences
Industry experts shared successful case studies of converting historic buildings into luxurious properties while preserving their original architectural charm. By incorporating modern amenities like gardens and swimming pools, these restored sites have gained global recognition.
Prakhar Misra, Director of Tourism, emphasized that heritage properties can offer tourists a unique and immersive experience. “By integrating ethnic food, local cuisine, and locally sourced staff, we can create a deeper connection between visitors and the region’s cultural legacy,” he said.
The initiative underscores Uttar Pradesh’s commitment to leveraging its rich heritage for tourism, with hopes of replicating Rajasthan’s transformative success and turning its historic sites into economic and cultural assets.
