Special tourism distt status proposed for Nagpur
* Consultation paper on ‘Tourism Policy-2016’ proposes to attract investments to the tune of Rs 30,000 crore
* It is proposed that MTDC may develop Vidarbha as special tourism zone
Staff Reporter
Maharashtra Government is gearing up to launch a new Tourism Policy next year, and has proposed a slew of measures to attract investments to the tune of Rs 30,000 crore and developing a strategy to create 10,00,000 jobs. A consultation paper released on Wednesday proposes various measures that may be beneficial for Nagpur and Vidarbha region.
As per the consultation paper, status of special tourism districts is proposed for Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Sindhudurg. Under special focus to utilise rural landscape, Nagpur has been identified for its identity linked to Oranges. Nagpur and Vidarbha figure in the plans for development of Buddha Circuit under the initiative of religious, heritage, nature, culinary, education, Tiger eco-tourism, medical tourism etc. The Government has identified Vidarbha as well as Konkan, Aurangabad regions for development as special tourism zones through Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC).
The consultation paper moots the idea of MTDC developing international-level tiger eco-tourism parks on public-private-partnership (PPP) basis and developing state-of-the-art facilities at Tadoba and Pench tiger reserves. Under the tiger eco-tourism initiative, it is proposed that MTDC will design special programmes and infrastructure to connect tiger eco-tourism parks to tiger safaris and tourism estates with tourist amenities, ‘which will act as gateways to tourist destinations in the area’.
Under ‘Nature Tourism’, it is proposed to designate Melghat, Tadoba, Pench etc as nature tourism zones and promote these. Department of Tourism and MTDC will evaluate and create special tourism estates around nature parks, wildlife reserves etc, within 10 km radius of the zone. In these zones, the Government envisages promoting special ‘experiential tourism’ involving local culture, cuisine, yogic exercise, wellness centres, and other unique local experiences. MTDC and Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM) will consider zoning of nature and wildlife reserves allowing specific access to restricted areas.
Further, many ‘virgin and emerging’ areas in Vidarbha region have been included under the head of ‘Adventure Tourism’. Apart from Mumbai and Pune, Nagpur has been identified for development as possible education hub through which tourism-related studies and research can be promoted. Under this initiative, it is suggested that tie-ups with world-renowned institutes will be organised and promoted for student-exchange programmes. Interestingly, the famous ‘Saoji’ dish has found a place for Nagpur under ‘Culinary Tourism’, which will be promoted through special culinary events and festivals in the State.
Among other initiatives are formation of District Tourism Promotion Committees, setting up Institute of Travel and Culture, creating PPP Transaction Advisory Cell under Department of Tourism, developing caravan tourism parks, launching ‘seamless travel ticket’ system or ‘smart ticketing’ to major tourist destinations, conversion of certain sections of select forts into heritage hotels on the lines of Rajasthan, making available certain sections of some forts as exclusive wedding, launching mobile application for tourist information and safety, etc.
Mumbai, suburbs, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations have been classified as Tourism Zone ‘A’. Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Sindhudurg are being considered for the status of special tourism districts. Barring these, all municipal corporations in the State are proposed to be included in Zone ‘B’. Apart from these, all districts in the State are proposed to be categorised into Zone ‘C’.
The Government has invited suggestions on the consultation paper, from the people, till December 21. The draft has been made available on the website of the State Government.
Incentives proposed for special tourism districts
For being eligible to get incentives as special tourism district, Nagpur will have to make a minimum fixed capital investment of Rs 50 lakh in a span of 15 months since it getting such a staus. Special tourism district status entails incentives such as 100 per cent reimbursement of Value Added Tax (VAT), 100 per cent exemption in luxury tax, entertainment tax, electricity duty, stamp duty and registration charges. Total exemption from property tax and non-agricultural tax is proposed to all tourism projects run/owned by MTDC. Water and electricity tariff also is proposed to be levied at prevalent industrial rate.
Further, a 100 per cent refund of Employees’ State Insurance and Employees’ Provident Fund has been proposed for respective eligibility periods. As additional incentive, no increase in water and electricity tariff for 10 years has been proposed, though actual increase in cost of operation of these services shall be recovered from user. There will be ‘full exemption’ of entry tax on tourist vehicles for 10 years in special tourist districts.
* It is proposed that MTDC may develop Vidarbha as special tourism zone
Staff Reporter
Maharashtra Government is gearing up to launch a new Tourism Policy next year, and has proposed a slew of measures to attract investments to the tune of Rs 30,000 crore and developing a strategy to create 10,00,000 jobs. A consultation paper released on Wednesday proposes various measures that may be beneficial for Nagpur and Vidarbha region.
As per the consultation paper, status of special tourism districts is proposed for Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Sindhudurg. Under special focus to utilise rural landscape, Nagpur has been identified for its identity linked to Oranges. Nagpur and Vidarbha figure in the plans for development of Buddha Circuit under the initiative of religious, heritage, nature, culinary, education, Tiger eco-tourism, medical tourism etc. The Government has identified Vidarbha as well as Konkan, Aurangabad regions for development as special tourism zones through Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC).
The consultation paper moots the idea of MTDC developing international-level tiger eco-tourism parks on public-private-partnership (PPP) basis and developing state-of-the-art facilities at Tadoba and Pench tiger reserves. Under the tiger eco-tourism initiative, it is proposed that MTDC will design special programmes and infrastructure to connect tiger eco-tourism parks to tiger safaris and tourism estates with tourist amenities, ‘which will act as gateways to tourist destinations in the area’.
Under ‘Nature Tourism’, it is proposed to designate Melghat, Tadoba, Pench etc as nature tourism zones and promote these. Department of Tourism and MTDC will evaluate and create special tourism estates around nature parks, wildlife reserves etc, within 10 km radius of the zone. In these zones, the Government envisages promoting special ‘experiential tourism’ involving local culture, cuisine, yogic exercise, wellness centres, and other unique local experiences. MTDC and Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM) will consider zoning of nature and wildlife reserves allowing specific access to restricted areas.
Further, many ‘virgin and emerging’ areas in Vidarbha region have been included under the head of ‘Adventure Tourism’. Apart from Mumbai and Pune, Nagpur has been identified for development as possible education hub through which tourism-related studies and research can be promoted. Under this initiative, it is suggested that tie-ups with world-renowned institutes will be organised and promoted for student-exchange programmes. Interestingly, the famous ‘Saoji’ dish has found a place for Nagpur under ‘Culinary Tourism’, which will be promoted through special culinary events and festivals in the State.
Among other initiatives are formation of District Tourism Promotion Committees, setting up Institute of Travel and Culture, creating PPP Transaction Advisory Cell under Department of Tourism, developing caravan tourism parks, launching ‘seamless travel ticket’ system or ‘smart ticketing’ to major tourist destinations, conversion of certain sections of select forts into heritage hotels on the lines of Rajasthan, making available certain sections of some forts as exclusive wedding, launching mobile application for tourist information and safety, etc.
Mumbai, suburbs, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations have been classified as Tourism Zone ‘A’. Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Sindhudurg are being considered for the status of special tourism districts. Barring these, all municipal corporations in the State are proposed to be included in Zone ‘B’. Apart from these, all districts in the State are proposed to be categorised into Zone ‘C’.
The Government has invited suggestions on the consultation paper, from the people, till December 21. The draft has been made available on the website of the State Government.
Incentives proposed for special tourism districts
For being eligible to get incentives as special tourism district, Nagpur will have to make a minimum fixed capital investment of Rs 50 lakh in a span of 15 months since it getting such a staus. Special tourism district status entails incentives such as 100 per cent reimbursement of Value Added Tax (VAT), 100 per cent exemption in luxury tax, entertainment tax, electricity duty, stamp duty and registration charges. Total exemption from property tax and non-agricultural tax is proposed to all tourism projects run/owned by MTDC. Water and electricity tariff also is proposed to be levied at prevalent industrial rate.
Further, a 100 per cent refund of Employees’ State Insurance and Employees’ Provident Fund has been proposed for respective eligibility periods. As additional incentive, no increase in water and electricity tariff for 10 years has been proposed, though actual increase in cost of operation of these services shall be recovered from user. There will be ‘full exemption’ of entry tax on tourist vehicles for 10 years in special tourist districts.
(02-12-15)
Nice Information.. Thanks for blog.
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