IHHA Annual Meet

Chief Minister Smt. Vasundhara Raje has said that in view of possibilities of growth of heritage tourism in Rajasthan efforts are being made for multi-dimensional development of tourism sector. The state government was focusing on creation of a pleasant environment for domestic and foreign tourists along with new centres of attraction by way of organizing fairs, festivals, celebrations and other such events.

Smt. Raje was addressing the inauguration session of the 5th Annual Convention of Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA) at Udaipur City Palace on Sunday.

The CM said that with presence of various factors of heritage tourism such as art, folk culture, tradition and history, Rajasthan was a choice of all international and domestic travellers. She said that it was the home for 70% heritage properties in the country and efforts were being made with fresh new thinking to give this legacy a new identity by way of organizing various national and international events on PPP mode, which yielded encouraging results. She offered for partnering in more such events.

Smt. Raje said that innovative attempts were needed for promotion of tourism in Rajasthan. She called upon the members of the industry for innovations in conservation of heritage and development of tourism and give suggestions to the state government in this regard. She informed the gathering that several instruments had been put in place for timely disposals of tourism sector projects at gram panchayat and Revenue department level.

In the presence of Chief Minister, a MOU with signed between IHHA President and the Managing Director of Kaushal Bhaav Skill Solution (KBSS), Shri Shankar Laxman. She released a coffee-table book on heritage hotels, IHHA magazine and a series of publications Lesser Known Heritage of India: Small & Beautiful Hill Stations of India.

During this, IHHA President Shri Gaj Singh urged the Union Tourism Ministry for framing a national policy on heritage tourism. Shri Arvind Singh Mewar spoke on the concept of ‘living heritage’. Vice President of IHHA, Shri Steve Borgia outlined theme of the convention, while the General Secretary Shri Randhir Vikram Singh proposed vote of thanks.

Public Health and Engineering Department Minister Smt. Kiran Maheshwari, MPs Shri Arjunlal Meena, Shri Hariom Singh Rathore, Shri Harshvardhan Singh, Udaipur Mayor Shri Chandra Singh Kothari, Tourism Secretary Smt. Roli Singh, Divisional Commissioner Shri Bhawani Singh Detha, IG Police Shri Anand Shrivastwa. District Collector Shri Rohit Gupta, other public representatives and members of IHHA from different parts of the country were present.

Jaipur/Udaipur, 4th September 2016