Uttar Pradesh’s Starts ‘Paying Guest’ Initiative to Boost Tourism
In the ambitious ‘Navya Ayodhya’ initiative by the Uttar Pradesh government, Ayodhya is undergoing a remarkable transformation. A key component of this project is the Paying Guest scheme introduced by the state tourism department, aiming to enhance the overall lodging and dining experiences for Ayodhya’s visitors.
Paying Guest Scheme Overview
This initiative primarily focuses on empowering local residents to provide paying guest accommodations and homestays for tourists, devotees, and travelers. Leveraging the rich Awadh culinary heritage, the scheme offers distinctive dining experiences, highlighting the inclusion of millet-based dishes.
Significance of the Paying Guest Scheme
The Paying Guest scheme not only opens up various income opportunities for locals but also creates avenues for self-employment. This spans from hosting to preparing traditional Awadhi meals, generating new employment opportunities in tandem with Ayodhya’s expanding tourism sector, supported by the government’s concerted efforts.
Ayodhya’s Emergence as a Tourism Hub
Ayodhya is fast becoming a sought-after destination, as indicated by a significant surge in travel searches on various tourism platforms. Hotel rates are witnessing a sharp rise, with accommodations like tents priced at 20-30k per night already sold out for Jan 20-27, coinciding with the temple opening. Major brands are gearing up for substantial investments, with over 350 crore expected in hotel infrastructure, anticipating a surge in tourist arrivals. The temple opening is projected to attract 300-500k daily visitors, with a tenfold increase in tourism expected by 2024.
The Impact of Paying Guest Scheme
Domestic tourism in Ayodhya has witnessed remarkable growth, jumping from 0.17 million in 2021 to an impressive 23.6 million in 2022. To improve connectivity, new semi-high-speed trains like the Vande Bharat Express have been launched, and airlines are planning additional flights to cater to the influx of devotees post-inauguration. The Paying Guest Scheme is strategically positioned to harness this immense potential, contributing to the economic upliftment of the local population.
How to Avail Paying Guest Scheme of Ayodhya?
Certification for participating in the scheme involves the submission of property documents, maps, IDs, tax information, and room images, among other requisites. Streamlined coordination between state leadership, district administration, development authority, and tourism department has facilitated swift approvals for homestay applications.
Current status of Progress Report
Currently, more than 460 individuals have successfully obtained certificates under the scheme out of a total of 600 applicants. Room bookings are facilitated through the Holy Ayodhya mobile app, developed by the Ayodhya Development Authority, offering tourists comprehensive information on availability, pricing, and amenities for their preferred homestays.
How many houses under Ayodhya Paying Guest Scheme?
The state has set an ambitious target of registering 1,000 houses in Ayodhya under the Paying Guest scheme. Various agencies are actively processing submissions to meet this goal, underscoring the commitment to promoting Ayodhya as a flourishing and inclusive tourism hub.
Visit Uttar Pradesh Current Affairs page for more details.
