The Gujarat government has decided to provide 50 per cent of the funds spent on basic infrastructure at new as well as existing tourism spots, provided the project will last for a minimum of five years.
The government says this step will boost the prospects of tourism at places where infrastructural facilities are not up to the mark.
While the government will provide infrastructure facilities such as roads and streetlights leading to the tourism projects, it will not provide financial assistance for facilities within the premises of the projects.
Any tourism project entailing a minimum expenditure of Rs 5 lakh and a maximum expenditure of Rs 50 lakh on infrastructural development will be eligible under the scheme.
The assistance will be given at 50 per cent of the total expenditure incurred by the promoter after the office of the commissioner of tourism has verified and determined the total expenditure following completion of work.
This scheme will be applicable to new as well as existing projects in all locations of the state other than the six municipal corporations.
The assisted project should remain in operation for a minimum five years from the date of disbursement of last installment of assistance.
In case the project closes down before five years, the promoter will have to pay back the amount taken as assistance from the state government.
The list of eligible projects for assistance to infrastructural development include eco-tourism projects, thematic festivals and water sports.
The list also includes aero-sports, spiritual and arshram tourism, rural and village tourism projects, upgradation of monuments, heritage hotels, golf courses, fossil parks and historical places of tourist interest.
Although the number of projects that are sanctioned under the scheme are not available, government sources said several existing as well as new projects are likely to make use of the scheme.
