Centre issues guidelines to boost tourism infrastructure

The ministry of tourism has framed fresh guideline for states and union territories, which will help them in designing their tourism projects in line with the emerging trends in world tourism.

States should create all-weather circulation networks and connectivity, including creation of barrier-free environment in and around tourist destinations. The state authorities should also encourage free and frequent distribution of high quality tourist maps, guides, CDs, posters,  tourism calendars, fold and take along maps, describing the country's vibrant and diverse culture, as per the new guidelines.

Announcing the guidelines at a workshop on tourism, tourism secretary Sujit Banerjee said if a project sanctioned by the ministry has not been started due to non-availability of land even after one year, the project will be dropped and the funds will be recovered or adjusted.

 He further asked states to set up wayside amenities and signages within every 50 km, conforming to international code.

States should also follow international norms and guidelines/UNESCO charters for world heritage sites, Banerjee reminded.
 
The ministry also recommended that states should use solar lighting and renewable energy, and discourage large-scale illumination.
In his letter to the chief secretaries of state and union territories, Banerjee has urged them to implement the guidelines, which would form the basis of any further tourism development project in the state/union territories.

These guidelines have been framed by the ministry on the basis of recommendations made at a workshop on Development of World Class Tourism Infrastructure, organised by the ministry of tourism under the chairpersonship of Ms Selja, minister for tourism and housing & urban poverty alleviation.