Tourism sector got a fillip in the Union Budget with the allocation to the tourism ministry hiked by Rs 87.66 crore.
The allocation for the Ministry this year is Rs 1297.66 crore while it was Rs 1210 crore in the Union Budget 2012-13 and Rs 1110.96 crore in 2011-12.
The budget allocation for plan projects/schemes for the benefit of North East region and Sikkim has been hiked from Rs 121 crore to Rs 129 crore.
The allocation under tourist infrastructure is for construction of budget hotels, wayside amenities, tourist reception centers, refurbishment of monuments, special tourism projects, adventure and sports facilities, sound and light shows, illuminations of monuments, providing for improvement in solid waste management and sewerage management, procurement of equipments directly related to tourism and rural tourism projects etc.
This provision also relates to large revenue generating projects, generating revenue through levy of fees or user charges like tourist trains, cruise vessels, cruise terminals, convention centre, golf courses etc. And creation of land bank for hotels to provide hotel accommodation by purchasing land and build hotels through public private partnerships.
The provision also includes Externally Aided Projects including UNDP Endogenous Tourist Projects and assistance to central agencies for tourism infrastructural development.
