“I AM COMMITTED TO TAKE BACK RTDC TO ITS OLD GLORY” -Dharmendra Rathore

– Different hotel associations express gratitude to the Chief Minister for the Tourism-Friendly Budget
-Chairman, RTDC, Rathore also joins the press briefing
-With the industry status to Tourism, the investment likely to leapfrog in tourism projects

“I AM COMMITTED TO TAKE BACK RTDC TO ITS OLD GLORY”

-Dharmendra Rathore
Chairman, RTDC

Jaipur, 25 February: It was a pleasant surprise when the Chairman, Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC), Dharmendra Rathore joined the press briefing today called by the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR) in Jaipur. The objective of the briefing was to express gratitude to the Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot for a hugely tourism-friendly budget which will lend wings to the tourism sector, which had been suffering owing to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Rathore, while appreciating the budget which is benefitting all sectors, especially emphasized on the tourism discipline it will give a fillip to. He said that the industry was upbeat on hearing the budget announcements and were gearing up to take the sector back to its original status. He said that he stood committed to solve all problems and settle all issues pertaining to RTDC. In a day-long VC with the Unit Heads, he has understood the varied problems and will be working on a war footing to solve them. He said he was shocked to learn even the salaries were not being paid on time to RTDC employees, but beginning March will be paid on first of each month.

President, Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR), Mr Apurv Kumar said that in 75 years, this is a milestone budget by Rajasthan that has set a benchmark for the rest of India. This budget encourages investment, employment generation, inclusive growth and ease of doing business. A major benefit to the tourism sector has been receiving the long-pending benefits of industry status. This will give a huge boost to tourism in the State. The tourism industry will boost the rural economy and improve employment generation, investment and infrastructure across every region of the State. The benefits received for rural tourism, stamp duty, heritage tourism and Land Conversion Act will encourage the private sector to further invest in rural areas.

Past President, Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR) and President, Indian Heritage Hotels Association of India (IHHA), Mr Randhir Vikram Singh said that it is for the first time that tourism has been recognized in the budget. It is a frontrunner for all businesses and contributes 10% to the GDP of the country. If tourism flourishes then other businesses will also do well.

President, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Rajasthan (HRAR), Kuldeep Chandela said that with the new budget, new destinations have opened up for tourism in Rajasthan. Rural tourism and war tourism (access to borders for visitors) will be given a boost with the all-inclusive state tourism budget.

Committee Member, IHHA, Rajendra Pachar said that the new budget will prove advantageous for all categories of hotels in the state. With the renewed focus on rural and religious tourism, Rajasthan will soon outshine all the other states of the country.

Joint Secretary, HRAR, Ranvijay Singh said that it is noteworthy that the tourism marketing budget of Rajasthan is INR 400 Crore, which is almost equivalent to the national tourism marketing budget.