U.P can boast of having 4 World Heritage sites in and around Agra namely Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri and Sikandra. Monuments like Etmaduddaulah in Agra and Bauddha Vihara in Sarnath are also heading for listing as world heritage sites. The oldest living city of the World, Varanasi is also located in UP.

Ghats of Bithur have generated worldwide interest as the place is said to be center point of the mother earth, which first witnessed the creation of mankind being the seat of Brahma. Besides this the State is full of palaces and buildings. UP Tourism has decided to enter into the most wanted market of heritage hotels and meeting recently held with the representation of erstwhile princely States has paved the way for starting heritage hospitality business in the State under the patronage of these princely families in at least six or seven palaces/forts.

It was in the year 1997-98 when construction of wayside amenities was launched in various places of the State along with the floodlighting of Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort and a light and sound show at Agra Fort. Major improvements were made in the facilities for the yatris on Char Dham Yatra and Kailash- Mansarovar Yatra routes. Facilities for Adventure Sports were created in Garhwal Region. Funds were provided to improve the facilities in existing units of the UP State Tourism Development Corporation at Haridwar, Bareilly Moradabad, Agra, Jhansi, Balrampur and Sonauli. In order to boost pilgrim tourism infrastructure development programmes costing Rs. 17.50 crores were launched for Ayodhya, Varanasi, Vindhyachal and Braj sectors.

An Agra heritage fund was constituted with Rs. 4.56 crores from the income of the Yanni Show and Rs. 1.91 crores were allocated for the improvement of historical monuments in Lucknow. Steps were taken to set up a Paryatan Bhavan at Lucknow with all modern facilities and to start a joint venture 5 Star Hotel with ITDC at Lucknow. Boating facilities were introduced at Allahabad and Lucknow Water Sports Centers. Efforts were made to promote film shooting in Uttar Pradesh to give popularity for its tourist sport through celluloid screen. With improved national and international publicity and marketing campaigns Uttar Pradesh has marched ahead of other States and has been adjudged and awarded as the Best Performing State in Tourism for 1997-98. This Award was presented to India Tourism Day this year on 25^th January.

Schemes to develop Patna Bird Sanctuary near Agra and Samaspur and Sandi Bird Sanctuaries near Lucknow have been launched to develop more attractions near major tourist destinations. Launch of direct Indian Airlines flights from Lucknow to Sharjah and allocation of Rs. 20.98 crores under Ayodhya Package to develop basic infrastructure in Ayodhya area have been the highlight of the year 1998-99. Similarly of Vindhyachal Package of development costing about Rs. 10.00 crores has been launched. Under Western Uttar Pradesh Development Package schemes to develop food craft institute and a Tourist Bungalow at Aligarh have been initiated.

The biggest highlight of the activities last year has been the announcement of a new Tourism Policy for the State.

A Corpus Fund called Vikas Nithi are being created for the development of basic amenities, conservation and maintenance in places of natural, religious and historical importance. Dovetailing of funds from different public and private sources will be undertaken to raise such funds. Tourism Development Corporation will be subject to the up gradation, modernization and profitable management to provide better services. New products like Yoga, spiritual knowledge, Ayurveda, Naturopathy adventure sports, water cruises, film locales, diverse cuisines, traditional attire, village life etc. will be developed and publicized to attract more tourists. Eco-tourism will be promoted widely in hills, forests and areas with water bodies.

UP Tourism has drawn a detailed action plan and Calendar of Events to celebrate Explore India Millennium Year fruitfully. These events in the state were launched in a traditional ceremony at Varanasi Ghats on the April, 1999 by the Hon. Union Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Shri Ananth Kumar. UP Tourism has set its goals for next decade through the new tourism policy and is marching ahead in a planned manner to gain supremacy in the field of Indian Tourism.

By Vipin Vijay

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