Ahmedabad: Gujarat Government has announced the state’s first Heritage Tourism Policy. This was announced after the meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in Gandhinagar today. According to sources, the policy has provisions to permit use of pre-1950 historical buildings such as heritage palaces and forts, as heritage hotels, heritage museums, heritage banquet halls and heritage restaurants, provided that basic heritage structure is not disturbed. This decision paves a way for creating tourism attraction in unused historical buildings.
Under this policy, the State Government will provide an aid of five to ten crore rupees to new or existing heritage hotels for renovation and expansion. According to the policy provisions, the developers will be provided an aid of 45 lakh to one crore rupees, to start new or restore an existing heritage museum, heritage banquet hall and heritage restaurant. The restoration or expansion work should be done without altering or damaging the existing original structure. The State Government expects that the new policy will place Gujarat on the world heritage tourism map. International tourists will not only be able to enjoy the heritage sites, but also enjoy a stay at ancient palaces, forts owned by Kings and other ancient monuments.
