Tag Archives: Rajasthan

Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (I/C) for Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, GoI, inaugurated the prestigious VISA-THSC Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Project in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, on 19 November. The Minister, who endorsed the MoU signing between THSC and VISA, has been instrumental in championing this transformative initiative, which is set to recognize, certify, and upskill over 20,000 individuals across India’s tourism and hospitality sectors over the next three years. In his inaugural address, Chaudhary underscored the profound impact of this project, stating, “Through the RPL initiative, we are not merely certifying skills; we are acknowledging and validating the hard work, expertise, and experience of our people. This project is a powerful step toward recognizing and empowering the skilled workforce in Bharatpur and Rajasthan, especially in tourism and hospitality—sectors integral to India’s growth and cultural heritage. By certifying these skills, we are laying a strong foundation for economic upliftment and sustained job creation.” Targeting the certification of nearly 7,000 individuals in its first year alone across India, the project focuses on roles such as Tour Guide, Customer Service Executive, Food Server, Walk Tour Facilitator, and Paragliding Ground Crew Chief. Bharatpur’s Keoladeo National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage site and major tourist attraction—offers an ideal setting for the project, enabling local residents to gain formal recognition and contribute as ambassadors of India’s heritage and hospitality. Rajan Bahadur, CEO of THSC, shared his vision for the VISA-THSC RPL Project, stating, “The Project aligns closely with THSC’s mission to bridge skill gaps in the tourism and hospitality sectors by providing individuals with industry-recognized certifications. This initiative will uplift livelihoods in Bharatpur and beyond, enhancing service quality across the industry. By raising service standards, …

After meeting the state’s tourism official, Kuldeep Singh Chandela, President, Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR) said, “The tourism department is likely to come up with Rajasthan Tourism Unit Policy in the upcoming budget session. In fact, they are also planning to recognise, the unrecognised hotels, tour operators, and travel agents in the policy.”

Tourism and hospitality sector in Rajasthan has been designated full-fledged industry recognition. As a result, investors are exhibiting a keen interest to invest in the state’s tourist sector. Rashmi Sharma, director of the tourism department , “ The Rajasthan Tourism Department is currently focusing on identifying and developing new, lesser-known tourist destinations within the state as part of its new tourism policy, which is continually luring Investors to invest in the state and allows them to conduct all of their business through a single window rather than compelling them to visit various places” Industrial Status: The department issues entitlement certificates to tourism units in order to grant industrial status benefits. The units that receive this certificate receive power at industrial prices, which are around 30% lower than commercial rates. At the same time, UD tax on these units is levied at industrial rates, which are 80% lower than commercial rates. There were 1,262 applications for entitlement certificates for industrial status received by the department, out of which 859 have been issued. Similarly, 41 applications have been received under the Rural Tourism Scheme 2022, of which 35 certificates have been issued. So far 25 guest houses have been registered by the department in the state. The state operates about 850 home stays (paying guests) by combining old and new policies. What is included in tourism units: Hotel and Motel, Heritage Hotel, Budget Hotel, Restaurant or Cafeteria, Resort, Sports Resort, Health Resort Spa, Camping Site, Amusement Park, Animal Safari Park, Convention Center / Mice, Museum, Rope Way, tourist luxury coach, caravan and cruise tourism.

Rajasthan aims to promote water activities and golf tourism alongside its existing attractions. Stakeholders predict a bright future for golf tourism in the state, with the RTDC already issuing an EOI for interested parties to develop and operate golf courses. 

The second edition of Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart (RDTM) 2022 was held from 22-24 July, where the Rajasthan Film Tourism Promotion Policy 2022 was also unveiled. Speaking at the inauguration, Usha Sharma, Chief Secretary, Rajasthan, said, “Rajasthan has maximum number of UNESCO sites, but we’re not doing justice to this. Hence, we need to ensure people get to explore these sites and make Rajasthan a world heritage state.” Gaj Singh, President Emeritus, Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA) said, “Domestic tourism has a lot of potential. It is a very strong segment that needs to be promoted. If domestic is strong we don’t need to be dependent on international travellers.”

Rajasthan government has accorded industry status to the tourism and hospitality sector in the state. The notification came through an official statement by Shanti Dhariwal, Minister of Urban Housing Development and Local Self Department. The announcement for the same was made in the budget announcement in February by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

Tourism is designated as an industry, and as such, it will benefit from government tariffs and levies in accordance with Industry norms. On Wednesday, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot presented the state budget for the years 2022-23. According to him, the tourism and hospitality would be recognised as a separate industry in the state. The budget’s main focus was on jobs and healthcare.

Sumita Saroch, JD, Tourism, Rajasthan, speaking at the Expo 2020, has said that Rajasthan offers multiple picturesque settings and culture. During her presentation, she showcased Rajasthan as a social events destination. “Rajasthan Tourism Policy 2020 strongly focuses on promotion of wedding tourism in the state,” she said while presenting the various offerings and facilities for such events.

The Rajasthan Assembly passed the Rajasthan Tourism Trade (Facilitation and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2021 with a voice vote. According to the new section 27-A inserted in the Rajasthan Tourism Trade (Facilitation and Regulation) Act, 2010, the offence will be cognizable and bailable. If the offence is in Section 13 (3) then whoever commits subsequent offence of touting shall be arrested without warrant by police and, on conviction, be punished with rigorous imprisonment of up to three years or fine of up to Rs.30000 or both.

The IATO Executive Committee recently reviewed and restructured the IATO Regional and the State Chapters to expand its wings and strengthen its membership base in Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Dadra, Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu. In continuation, IATO has further expanded its wings by appointing Co-Chairman and in-charge in various states and union territories. Rajasthan being a large state with a strong membership basis was considered to have a Co-chairman and Mahendra Singh of Holidays N Vacations, Jaipur has been appointed as Co-Chairman of Rajasthan. It was for a long time in the mind of IATO EC to have a Co-Chairman of Uttar Pradesh who should be based in Varanasi, keeping in view the importance of Varanasi as a big tourist attraction,  both for international and domestic tourists and Bhuvanendra Vikram Singh of Prime Value Tours Pvt. Ltd has been given this responsibility. Sikkim being a prime tourist destination needed a Co-Chairman, keeping in view the distance between North Bengal and Sikkim.  Namgyal P Sherpa of Namgyal Treks & Tours, Gangtok has been appointed as co-chairman to assist the Chairman of Sikkim and North Bengal Chapter who is based in Siliguri, Darjeeling. Similar is the case of Andaman & Nicobar and Mohamed Jadwet has been appointed as Co-Chairman in Andaman & Nicobar to assist the Chairman based in Chennai. Besides the above, two-state in-charge have been appointed in Manipur & Tripura to assist Chairman of IATO North East Chapter and H Radhakrishna Sharma, of Seven Sisters Holidays and Soumen Dutta of Hindustan Tour & Travels have been appointed State In-Charge of Manipur and Tripura respectively. Rajiv Mehra, President of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) expressed his happiness and mentioned …