While the state government may have come up with a policy to promote homestay tourism in Gujarat, heritage property owners are seeking a dedicated policy for themselves. Apparently, heritage property owners in Gujarat are in talks with the state government for a special policy on heritage tourism.
The Department of Tourism, Government of Gujarat, has proactively helped heritage hotels through media promotions and advertising. The recent homestay policy is also encouraging for owners of heritage properties, some of whom have already registered for the benefits under the policy. However, there are few interactions between the government tourism authorities and the heritage hotel owners who are stakeholders in such policies.
Currently, out of over 100 heritage properties, only 12-14 have been converted into heritage hotels. Industry players, however, believe a dedicated policy could boost supply with heritage property owners being encouraged to convert to heritage hotels.
"Currently, the homestay policy is restricted upto six rooms wherein properties are considered for no taxation or subsidised electricity duty at residential rates. We are asking government to increase the cap from 6 to 10 so as to allow heritage hotels to benefit. Also, we have been in talks with the government for a special policy on heritage hotels," said Harendrapal Singh Poshina, Secretary of Heritage Hotels Association - Gujarat (HHA).
While the Heritage Hotel Association - Gujarat began in 1994-5 with just 4 members, today, there are more than 30 heritage properties listed with the association from small four room colonial-period houses to grand palace hotels, including some that are under renovation. Moreover, an interesting heritage homestead cluster is developing in Sidhpur that could be a new trend in heritage tourism in Gujarat.
"The clientele of heritage hotels in the past had largely been foreign tourist groups, special interest tourists (eg birdwatchers, culture tourists, architecture enthusiasts, etc) or leisure travelers looking for old world charm and a royal experience. But now the clientele is much more diverse with even soap operas, realty shows and TV programs now being filmed on location at many properties, including heritage hotels in Gujarat," said Singh adding that property owners are waiting for a good heritage policy.
As per the association, the MICE Tourism market is also now going beyond hotel ballrooms to look at different opportunities for corporate events.
"Domestic holiday tourism has also grown rapidly in recent years with many more families from cities like Ahmedabad going for weekend breaks. New luxury trains have also started operations in India like the Maharaja's Express which stops at heritage hotels. All these are now target audiences that heritage hotels need to look at when building their marketing plans," Singh added.
