Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) organized a Heritage Tourism Conclave in Lucknow at Hotel Taj Mahal on Saturday 7 December to bring together, heritage property owners of the state, hotel groups, investors and hotel consultants on a common platform to discuss the draft of the new upcoming heritage tourism policy in order to enhance the draft policy before it is sent to the cabinet for approval.
Welcome address and the concept note was presented by FICCI’s UP Tourism Committee Chairman, Prateek Hira. Hira said that with the advent of new-age travel which lays emphasis on experiential travel, the subject of heritage tourism goes beyond just the visit and includes re-living the past, staying in almost the same environment and experiencing all that has been read, heard or narrated as a part of interpretation. Hira added “ The state of Rajasthan pioneered the concept of ‘Experiential Heritage Tourism, ‘Experiential’ because an element of experience was used by way of opening the heritage properties that included palaces, forts, havelis and even small old homes to the guests by putting these to adaptive reuse, which included stay and other activities. Because of this, not only a large part of Rajasthan’s tourism economy depends on its heritage character and properties but also, the properties have got a new lease of life to stand strong, continuing to tell the stories of the past and be a self-sustained economic model.”
The conclave, brought together over 50 royal families of the state, leading hotel groups that included Oberoi, Taj, Neemrana, MRS, Postcard, Accor, Apeejay Park, Mahindra etc., and hotel consultants for business to business meetings and possible alliance formations. Stakeholders discussed ways to revitalise U.P. ‘s heritage sites and turning them into key tourism destinations.
Mukesh Kr. Meshram, Principal Secretary and Director General – Tourism assured that the heritage properties that will come up in the state will receive full support from the department apart from the fiscal benefits etc. department of tourism will strengthen the infrastructure around it, provide publicity support and put up signages for visibility from the highways and expressways.
Meshram informed that some of the best forts and palaces that were under the State Archeology have been leased to hotel groups for adaptive reuse and the state will very soon see the projects taking shape very soon.
Special Secretary Tourism, Eesha Priya tabled the draft in the form of a presentation to invite views on the draft policy. Eesha said “The policy aims to encourage the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings and provide incentives in the form of subsidies for those who enroll under this policy which is set to be launched in 2024-25 after the approval of the cabinet”.
Prakhar Misra , Director – Tourism gave a presentation to highlight the heritage landscape of the state of Uttar Pradesh. Prakhar highlighted the environs around these properties and opportunities in terms of eco-tourism, adventure et al that can be clubbed to give a holistic experience to the visitors.
Heritage Experts and architects gave presentations on the subject and spoke in detail about how to protect the heritage sites and yet put them to reuse to make them commercially viable.
An open feedback session was organized at the end which was hosted and moderated by Prateek Hira. The aim of this session was to invite recommendations, comments and questions so as to make this upcoming heritage tourism policy robust and implementable. Senior officers of the department, Eesha Priya and Prakhar Misra took the questions, most of which were redressed upfront while others were noted for being taken up with the concerned departments of UP government.
Prateek Hira said “Heritage Tourism is a subject, which is very close to our Chief Minister Mr. Yogi Adityanath, and he envisions seeing Uttar Pradesh as a Heritage Tourism Destination, putting its old palaces, forts and mansions to sensible adaptive reuse.”
Hira added ”Department of Tourism of Uttar Pradesh under the very able leadership of its Minister Mr. Jaiveer Singh, Principal Secretary and Director General – Tourism, Mr. Mukesh Kumar Meshram, its Special Secretary & Director Ms. Eesha Priya and the Director Tourism Mr. Prakhar Misra – is on a mission to chart yet another growth story and make this a win-win situation for all the stakeholders of the state of Uttar Pradesh”.
Follow BOTT on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
Subscribe BOTT Channels on WhatsApp & Telegram to receive real time updates
