Telangana to Fast-track Tourism Projects with Private Sector Participation

Hyderabad: As part of the plan to accelerate tourism projects through private sector participation, the government would soon invite expressions of interest (EOIs) for the development of selected tourism destinations, said Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao. For the shortlisted agencies, the government would bear the cost of project designs and estimated project reports, he said.

The government was committed to transforming Telangana into a globally competitive tourism destination and positioning tourism as a major engine of economic growth, Krishna Rao said, while addressing the tourism conclave ‘Destination Telangana – Road Ahead’ at the national institute of tourism and hospitality management (NITHM), Gachibowli, on Saturday. The conclave was organised as part of the government’s 99-days ‘Praja Palana – Pragathi Pranalika’ initiative and marked the culmination of Tourism Week celebrations.

Inviting industrialists, investors and tourism entrepreneurs to come forward with investments, the minister assured that proposals along with detailed project reports would be processed on priority and approvals would be granted without delay.

The minister stated that underutilised government assets could be offered on long-term lease for tourism development projects, enabling easier implementation and professional management of tourism infrastructure. He encouraged stakeholders to bring innovative and creative tourism concepts to Telangana.

Rao observed that some locations lacked basic amenities such as drinking water, restrooms, accommodation and restaurants. He appealed to private investors and hospitality operators to partner with the government in developing modern tourism infrastructure including mobile glass houses, eco-tourism facilities, canvas tents and other visitor-friendly amenities.