Rajasthan Tourism Unit Policy 2024 Senior industry leaders hailed the policy's ease of starting and operating tourism businesses, as well as provisions such as discounted bar licenses for heritage restaurants. The Rajasthan government has launched several projects to boost tourism. These initiatives include developing the Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit, the Krishna Gaman Path, and the Braj-Dwarka pilgrimage routes. 1. Eco Tourism Unit: The policy is expected to increase investment, entrepreneurship, and employment within Rajasthan's tourism industry. Under its provisions, starting and running tourism businesses in Rajasthan should become easier as licensing requirements will become more flexible; tourism businesses such as hotels and restaurants will now be eligible to purchase government land at agricultural or residential rates rather than commercial rates and receive 10-year licences (instead of just 1 or 10), along with fire safety certificates which last three years rather than just one. Kuldeep Singh Chandela and Virendra Singh, President and Secretary General, respectively, of the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan, lauded its focus on sustainable tourism growth and the innovative measures taken by state authorities. They highlighted ecotourism units, film cities, heritage restaurants, and hotel housing as key benefits of tourism development in Rajasthan. They praised cheaper bar licenses for heritage hotels as a major boon. The state government of Rajasthan is investing an estimated Rs 5,000 crore in destination development, expansion of tourist facilities, and branding initiatives to promote Rajasthan globally. To assist this initiative, the Rajasthan Tourism Infrastructure and Capacity Building Fund (RTICBF) was created. Maharana Pratap tourist circuit development projects are underway in Chawand, Haldighati, Gogunda, and Kumbhalgarh, among other locations associated with Maharana Pratap. Khatushyamji Pushkar Nathdwara is creating comprehensive religious tourism circuits, while restoration and development work is currently underway at 252 religious sites throughout Rajasthan. 2. Studio Complex: An integral studio complex that spans 10 acres dedicated to filmmaking. Features flexible outdoor shooting areas. It may also serve as a tourist attraction with attractions such as gardens, parks, museums, and shopping. A dedicated tourism circuit for Maharana Pratap, including Chawand, Haldighati, Gogunda, Kumbhalgarh, as well as other places associated with his legendary life. Senior hospitality leaders have applauded the Rajasthan Tourism Unit Policy 2024 for its focus on sustainable growth and its innovative provisions that encourage investment in the sector. These leaders particularly noted financial incentives such as stamp duty exemptions, development and conversion charges waivers, concessional bar licenses for heritage hotels and restaurants, and freehold lease opportunities for heritage properties as significant inducements to encourage investment in these sectors. 3. Resort: Since 4 December 2024, Rajasthan has implemented a new policy to promote tourism and boost its growth. This makes it much simpler to open and operate businesses in this sector, which should further spur its development. Furthermore, lesser-known destinations will benefit from being designated as focus tourism destinations or regions (FTD/FTRs), enabling coordinated action to bolster infrastructure and investment projects. The government offers incentives such as waiving motor vehicle taxes for 22-seater buses, permitting restaurants to buy land at lower rates than agricultural or residential sites, and making bar licence applications easier for heritage hotels/restaurants. The state government of Delaware has set itself the ambitious target of hosting 232 million domestic tourists and 2 billion international visitors by 2030, reflecting its commitment to increasing global tourism appeal through new policies that support this goal, according to industry leaders. Kuldeep Singh Chandela and Virendra Singh, president and secretary general, respectively, of the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism in Rajasthan, applauded its new policy provisions for ecotourism units, film cities, heritage restaurants, and innovative categories that align with its ambitions. Furthermore, these strategic measures -- including waiving stamp duty and conversion charges on heritage buildings -- should stimulate substantial investment. 4. Hotel: To promote tourism, the new policy makes it easier to start and run businesses. For instance, tourism projects that cost Rs 100 crore or more can purchase government land at agricultural or residential rates. Tourism experts have welcomed this change as it will fuel investment opportunities while helping build Rajasthan's global profile. The new policy also includes provisions such as 10-year hotel licenses and 3-year fire safety certificates (previously 1 or 10). Tourism businesses investing in hotels, integrated studio complexes, or resorts can now sell tickets directly and waive the motor vehicle tax for 22-seater buses and larger. Further, this policy allows for the development of hotels in heritage buildings (forts, palaces, and havelis) certified under the Rajasthan Heritage Policy, helping preserve cultural heritage while drawing tourists. Additionally, heritage restaurants can obtain discounted bar licences. Furthermore, the state is also actively supporting the Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit with plans to build sites associated with his legendary heroism. Rajasthan Tourism Infrastructure and Capacity Building Fund was also established, supporting tourism development works worth up to Rs 5,000 crore. Thus far, 662 havelis have been identified for conservation under the Shekhawat Haveli Conservation Scheme, while 62 heritage hotels/properties have received their heritage certificates under this program. 5. Hospitality Complex: Hotel located within a historic building (forts, palaces, and havelis built before 1.1.1950 and certified as part of the Rajasthan Heritage Policy. Exempt from minimum investment/plot size requirements while upholding its original architecture - new construction should not exceed 50% of the total built-up area. Tourism projects offering adventure, recreation, games, and entertainment to all age groups require at least 10 lettable rooms on land with an investment of Rs 2 crore. Tourism stakeholders applauded the new policy, believing it would drive investment and employment within the sector. They noted its provisions, such as concessional bar licenses for heritage hotels and restaurants to preserve Rajasthan's cultural heritage while enriching tourist experiences, and its reduction of motor vehicle tax on 22-seater coaches, which encourages more tourists to travel by road. The state government of Rajasthan is currently undertaking various projects to boost the tourism industry and attract more visitors, such as developing the Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit at Chawand, Haldighati, Gogunda, Kumbhalgarh, Dever, and other locations associated with the legendary king Maharana Pratap. Also under construction are tribal tourist circuits and religious sites, such as Khatushyamji Temple and Tanot Mata Temple, both near the India-Pakistan border. In all these projects, the Rajasthan Tourism Infrastructure and Capacity Building Fund (RTICBF) has been established by state authorities to support destination development, expansion of tourist facilities, and branding initiatives. 6. Integrated Tourism Village: Integrated Tourism Villages will boost Rajasthan's tourism infrastructure, encourage ecotourism, and create employment opportunities. These villages will feature accommodation, restaurants, and a range of recreational activities. This policy will also support the development of studio complexes and resort housing, aiming to boost tourism in areas of natural beauty and ecological significance. Furthermore, it will make it simpler for businesses to open tourism-related businesses. Tourism businesses will soon be allowed to buy 10% of government land near their projects at agricultural or residential rates. They will have access to 10-year licenses instead of having to choose between 1- or 10-year permits. They'll also be able to purchase commercial vehicles at reduced rates. Senior industry leaders predict the new policy will benefit both the state's economy and tourism, positioning it as a global tourism leader. They lauded its emphasis on motel-way-side amenities and resort housing development, as well as the waiver of the motor vehicle tax for 22-seater coaches. This new policy also seeks to foster responsible and sustainable tourism while empowering local communities to lead their own development. ITDP has supported initiatives at Lake Toba that improve tourist facilities while giving local people greater control over managing tourism effectively; for example, an Anti-Tourist Assistance Force campaign beginning 15 February 2024 that saw action taken against 1,075 miscreants.