Telangana, will release their Tourism Policy for the State by New Year. According to B Venkatesham, Secretary-Tourism, Government of Telangana, the proposed policy will have innovative proposals to incentivise the investors to attract more private investments into the Tourism sector in the State. Venkatesham was speaking at the National curtain raiser of Bathukamma Festival, a popular festival of Telangana, organised by PHD Chamber in Delhi.
Speaking to the media, the Tourism Secretary said that the State government is committed to improve the tourism infrastructure in the State to attract more tourists. Home stays will be promoted in a big way in the State, he said. Similarly, budget accommodation units under the State Tourism department will be upgraded. Venkatesham said that the department will also ask the organized hotel industry to lower their rates and introduce all inclusive packages. “We might also look at declaring either year 2016 or 2017 as Visit Telangana Year,” he said.
Telangana is the real heart of India and the meeting point of North and South, he said. The state is endowed with panoramic nature, rich culture and heritage, and other attractions. Pilgrim spots associated with Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, and Islam are in the state. “Venkatesham said that besides Hyderabad which is a city of international stature, the state would be promoting Warangal, Nagarjunasagar, Badrachalam, and Adilabad as key tourist spots in the State. “We will be participating in key travel and tourism exhibitions both in India and overseas to promote our destinations,” he added.
When asked about the niche tourism products that the State wanted to highlight in the international market, the Tourism Secretary said that the State has unparalleled infrastructure in Medical Tourism, MICE Tourism, and Academic Tourism. Hyderabad is both a Medical Tourism and MICE Tourism hub of India, he said. Lot of people visit Hyderabad for superior medical treatments from Central Asia, Middle East and Africa.
Talking about Bathukamma Festival, he said that the festival is associated with the cultural identity of Telangana. It is the only festival which is celebrated exclusively by women folk. He said that the endeavour is to promote the festival on a global level as it celebrates six core elements such as women, girl child, flowers, water, nature, and festival. The government has plans to organize various competitions, events, etc. around Bathukamma Festival from next year to build awareness and spread the message of the festival globally.
