Press Release
With its forward-looking tourism policies such as Rural Tourism Policy, Film Promotion Policy, etc. Rajasthan is a role model for other states across the country. It is the first state to give industry status to tourism and hospitality sector and till now around 1000 hotels have also benefitted from this in areas such as UD Tax and electricity rebate, among others. The State Government has also increased the tourism development fund from Rs 1000 crores to Rs 1500 crores. Furthermore, 5 international golf course and 5 MICE centers are also coming up in the State. This was stated by Chairman, RTDC, Mr. Dharmendra Rathore at the inauguration of the 3rd edition of Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart (RDTM) at the Rajasthan International Center.
Earlier, the Mart was inaugurated with the cutting of the ribbon by the Rajasthan Tourism Minister, Mr. Vishvendra Singh. In his message he said: “Looking at the huge success of the Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart last year, it is only fitting that we are having yet another edition this year. Having taken a big hit by the pandemic – RDTM last year gave a fillip to domestic tourism in Rajasthan. I have no hesitation in saying that Rajasthan today is one of the most preferred destinations in the country. Not only because of its tourism products but also because of its tourism friendly policies, schemes and initiatives. I wish the RDTM 2023 all success and fruitful networking”
The RDTM is being organized by Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan and the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR). The theme of the Mart this year is Sustainable Tourism.
Chairman, Rajasthan Small Industries Corporation, Mr. Rajiv Arora said that due to Government initiatives, 206 new projects with a proposed investment of Rs. 4500 crores and 14856 rooms have been registered in the Year 2022, as compared to 187 projects in the year 2019. The upscale hotel chains have come to Jaipur and are under various stages of development. In the year 2022, 10.87 crore tourists visited Rajasthan as compared to 2.20 crore tourists during the year 2021. The increase in number of visiting tourists by 8 crores in one year is milestone achievement of Congress Government.
Principal Secretary, Tourism, Mrs. Gayatri Rathore said that to cover maximum number of tourism units under the umbrella of Industry benefits, the State Government has now considered tourism units in rural areas having conversion order by revenue department/district collector, hotels, motels, having 10 or more rooms, operating hotels on RIICO land allotted for hotel purpose, RTDC and RSHC hotels and Central and State Government museums. Rajasthan is not only a preferred destination for tourism but also for investment. New religious circuits are also being developed in the state. There is a need for a behavioural change towards practices like responsible tourism and adopting the best practices for sustainability, she added.
President, FHTR, Mr. Apurv Kumar said that with boosting tourism there is also a dire need to conserve the tangible as well as intangible heritage of our state and this is why the theme of the mart this year has been aptly kept sustainable tourism. He appreciated the efforts of the State Government and the Department of Tourism for its forward looking policies and enabling incentives.
On the occasion, a travel publication on ‘Regal Rajasthan – Sustainability Empowering the Future’ was also released by the dignitaries.
Also present on the occasion were, Patron of FHTR, Mr. Lalit K Panwar; Director, Tourism, Dr. Rashmi Sharma; FHTR, President Honour, Mr. Bhim Singh, Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA), President, Mr. Randhir Vikram Singh Mandawa, FHTR, Senior Vice President and Hotel and Restaurant Association of Rajasthan (HRAR), President, Mr. Kuldeep Singh Chandela, Vice President, FHTR, Mr. Khaled Khan, Rajasthan Association of Tour Operators (RATO), President, Mr. Mahendra Singh Rathore and General Secretary, FHTR, Mr. Mohan Singh Mertia.