Chhattisgarh exchanged MoUs worth Rs12 crores for development of world-class tourist facilities during ‘Incredible India Tourism Investors’ Summit (IITIS)- 2016’ organized by the Ministry of Tourism in partnership with Confederation of Indian Industry and the Tourism Finance Corporation of India from September 21 to 23, 2016 in New Delhi to promote investments in Tourism sector in India.
Several key announcements were made at the valedictory session of the Summit.
The States like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Uttarakhand and Chattisgarh exchanged 86 MoUs during the session and many more are in the pipeline, aggregating close to Rs15,000 crores, officials informed.
At the summit, Gujarat exchanged MoUs close to 9,000 crores, Karnataka with 2600 crores, Rajasthan with 1000 crores ,Uttarakhand with 500 crores and Chhattisgarh with 12 crores. Also, B. R. Shetty Group is keen to invest 450 crores and Costa Cruise 750 crores and Triveni Singapore close to 800 crores in the country.
Notably, the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board (CTB) will also be aggressively promoting Home Stays segment for tourists , officials informed. It is inviting private participation to develop and market the Home stays segment in Chhattisgarh.
Companies that work as ‘Aggregators of Home stays’ would be selected for development of Home stays market , officials informed.
The task includes Branding and Marketing related to promotion of Home stay as a concept , opening up and verification of new Home stays in the area, training and handholding the Home stay owners towards the use of technology and operational practices necessary to develop their Home stays.
The task also involves development and implementation of technology framework for Home stays operations and also strategy, planning and for better Home stay service delivery.
Notably, CTB had earlier also has decided to offer special concessions to the travel agents and tour operators for further boosting tourist traffic in the State. Officials stated the Board will now charge an amount of Rs1,000 for three year registration from these agents in order to provide services to the tourists.
Earlier, one year registration and validity charge amounting to Rs1,000 was fixed for travel agents by the Board.
Notably, the Central Government has recently approved Rs99.94 crore based on a Detailed Project Report (DPR) submitted by CTB for development of the Tribal Tourism Circuit in the State under ‘Swadesh Darshan’ package. The approval was given in a Secretary-level meeting held in New Delhi recently, officials stated.
The objective of forming the tourism circuit is to highlight rich and ancient tribal culture and environment of Chhattisgarh’s tribal
dominated regions.
Under this tribal tourism circuit, Jashpur, Kunkuri, Mainpat, Ambikapur, Maheshpur, Ratanpur, Kurdur, Sarodhadadar, Gangrel, Nathiyanawagaon (Kanker), Kondagaon, Jagdalpur, Chitrakoot, Teerathgarh will be developed for tourism.
In this circuit, Jashpur, Ambikapur and Sarodhadadar would be developed as ethnic tourist village and Mainpat, Kurdur, Gangrel, Kondagaon, Jagdalpur, Chitrakoot and Teerathgarh are to be developed for eco-ethnic tourism while work for sight amenities will be carried out in Kunkuri, Maheshpur and Nathiyanawagaon.
The Union Ministry of Tourism will soon be allocating funds for the circuit and work in this regard would be carried out in a sequential manner.
The Central Government has put up the anticipated timeline for completion of the Tribal Tourism Circuit in Chhattisgarh to be 2019-20. The Tribal Tourism Circuit will provide an opportunity to the tourists to witness and experience tribal culture and traditions in Chhattisgarh, officials informed.The key components for development under the project are ‘Ethnic Tourist Village’ and ‘Ethnic Tourist Development’, Destination Development and Wayside amenities.The project would be developed by CTB.
The Tribal Tourism Circuit comprises Jashpur-Kunkuri-Mainpat- Ambikapur-Maheshpur -Ratanpur-Kurdar-Sarodadadar Gangrel- Kondagaon –Nathyanawagaon -Jagdalpur Chitrakoot -Tirthgarh in Chhattisgarh under Swadesh Darshan Scheme.