Gujarat Seeks Pvt Funds For Tourism

Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd (TCGL) has drawn up a plan to promote tourism in the state with private investments of up to Rs 600 crore.

TCGL has also appointed Perth-based international consultancy firm, Studio C, to submit a plan to popularise submerged Dwarka as a major international tourist spot.

The consultancy firm report will also cover the techno-fesibility aspects and options for visiting the ancient ruins of Dwarka which is currently submerged under the sea.

The state will float global tenders in a month's time for setting up special tourism parks at Ahmedpur Mandvi and Kutch Mandvi through private investment by the build own transfer (BOT) route.

"Already Rs 450 crores worth of investments have been made in the state in setting up hotels, theme parks, tourist infrastructure, resorts, amusement parks, heritage hotels and in other areas," said Jayant Parimal, managing director of The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd

"The scale of investments will cross Rs 1000 crore by the turn of the century," the tourism corporation managing director said.

Companies like Essel World and Priya Village Food Show have decided to invest Rs 13 crore each to set up separate multiplexes in and around Ahmedabad.

Another firm Group Beautiful is investing in a Rs 70-crore mega multiplexes project near Ahmedabad.

"Two five-star beach resort projects are also coming up," Parimal said. Also a Rs 32-crore ropeway project has been taken up by Usha Martin subsidiary Usha Breco at Pawagadh, Parimal said.

Under the New Incentive Policy 1995-2000 for tourism related industry, the state government grants 100 per cent tax incentives to such projects for ten years subject to the ceiling of investments made.

The state budget allocation has been increased from Rs 3.5 crore to Rs 13.5 crore in 1998-99 with the target of Rs 50 crore in 1999-2000.

The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd in a joint venture with Indian Railways is currently running the luxury train service, Royal Orient Train.

At present 13 heritage hotels in the state have already been developed for tourism purposes.