CCEA okays merger of two tourism infrastructure schemes

New Delhi, Aug 31 (UNI) In a move aimed at developing world class tourism infrastructure in the country, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today gave the go-ahead to the merger of two existing schemes for assisting tourism infrastructure development into one scheme titled "Product/Infrastructure Development for Destinations and circuits".

Announcing this after the CCEA meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi told newspersons here that the existing schemes "Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits" and "Product/Infrastructure and Destination Development" will be merged into the proposed scheme.

The CCEA also approved removing the ceiling on the project cost for tourism infrastructure development of the identified destinations and circuits, he said.

The Centre's contribution will now be capped at Rs 25 crore for destination development and Rs 50 crore for circuit development instead of Rs 5 crore and Rs 8 crore respectively for selectively identified circuits and destinations based on tourist traffic.

The approved revision will lead to the development of world class tourism infrastructure in at least 15 identified major tourist destinations or circuits in the country, the Minister said, adding that in addition one major circuit and two major destinations per state will be also be taken up as priority in consultation with the state/UT Governments concerned.

The implementation of this scheme will result in improved experience for tourists visiting these places. The increase in tourist traffic will result in more employment and better socio-economic conditions for the region.

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