30,000 hotel rooms shortage expected in 2010 in NCR

New Delhi, Dec 7 (UNI) Projecting the growth in tourist arrival at the rate of 12 to 15 per cent till 2010, the Tourism Ministry today assessed the consequent shortage of hotel rooms at 30,000 in the National Capital Region of Delhi alone.

Tourism Minister Ambika Soni said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha that the demand for increased hotel rooms in NCR of Delhi was also for accommodating the visitors to 2010 Commonwealth Games.

She said her Ministry had been in regular touch with the various land owning agencies like DDA, L&DO, Government of Haryana, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Indian Railways, Airports Authority of India for allocating more sites for hotels and also for adopting annual rental payment in place of outright auction of plots to promote budget hotels.

These agencies have also been requested to consider higher FAR for hotels and other steps including allowing land use change so that private entrepreneurs owning land are also allowed to build hotels.

The Tourism Ministry had also introduced a scheme of "Incredible India Bed and Breakfast" under which residents, who have vacant rooms can offer these for use of tourists.

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