Uttar Pradesh explores feasibility of orchard tourism

Uttar Pradesh Tourism department is exploring possibility of introducing orchard tourism in the state, to give visitors a chance to explore country life during the harvest season. Many hill states, besides Gujarat and Maharashtra are already offering such packages.

The government is working on formulating a policy to encourage farmers and land owners to build small hotels in the orchards and green areas where tourists can stay on a bed-and-breakfast deal. The government would provide external amenities like road, power supply and drainage system to aid the facilities.

"If integrated with Lucknow's architectural heritage, cuisine and tradition of dance and music, this package can work very well," said Prateek Hira, an international tour operator in city. He added that mango festivals can blend well with the concept.

UP Tourism director general Amrit Abhijat claimed the department has identified several spots in western districts, Terai region, Bundelkhand and Avadh (Lucknow-Faizabad region) for the purpose. "A feasibility study will begin shortly," he said.

Officials in tourism department said mango orchards in UP attract a lot of people and they can be drawn to the farms once the facilities come up. Notably, UP's mango belt spans over 4 lakh hectare area in north and central UP.

Single-window clearance of tourism investments in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh will consider all tourism investments in the state as industrial ventures and will offer single-window clearance, informed N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. He was speaking at a meeting that he chaired to finalise the state’s tourism policy. Andhra Pradesh will also look at setting up dedicated police stations for tourists, and a round-the-clock call centre for tourists in the state.

The Chief Minister said that tourism projects would be treated as industrial ventures and single-desk clearances would be granted to them within 21 days. The Naidu also assured special tariff for power usage for tourism projects. Suggesting the department to focus on attracting international tourists, Naidu told the officials to get tourist operators on board and work with them.

The state will explore opportunities in water sports, Beach Tourism, Spiritual Tourism, Ecotourism, Caravan Tourism,  and Heli-Tourism. Emphasising on the need to promote Telugu culture, he suggested that Kuchipudi and other local and tribal art forms, and dances be promoted through various carnivals on a large scale.