MP Tourism plans to lease out heritage properties to pvt players

MP Tourism, seeking private sector’s investment in the sector, has invited tenders online for leasing out heritage properties in Bhopal, Khajuraho and Gwalior.

MP Tourism, seeking private sector’s investment in the sector, has invited tenders online for leasing out heritage properties in Bhopal, Khajuraho and Gwalior.

State tourism secretary Hari Ranjan Rao addresses an investors’ meet in Indore on Saturday. (Shankar Mourya/HT photo)

Properties on offer include Tajmahal Palace, Bhopal; Benazir Palace, Bhopal; Govindgarh Fort, Rewa; Madhavgarh Fort, Satna and Rajgarh Palace, Datia.

Senior state tourism officials on Saturday made presentations about investment opportunities in state tourism sector to a select group of investors in Indore on Saturday.

The state government is also offering large parcels of land close to tourist destinations for development of golf course, resorts, hotels, eco-tourism and adventure tourism. The government agency has come up with a ‘wayside amenities’ scheme, that leases buildings at a distance of 40-50 km along highways.

“We have earmarked huge land parcels close to popular tourist spots and are also offering an opportunity to private players to run heritage properties in the state,” Hari Ranjan Rao, secretary tourism and MP Tourism Development Corporation managing director said.

Land parcels at Orchha, Khajuraho, Sanchi, Bhopal, Gwalior and Jabalpur and other places are earmarked for private firm-led tourism. Out of these, bidding process of two land parcels across 10 and 16.8 hectares wide is likely to start before February-end.

“In terms of arrival of domestic tourists, Madhya Pradesh was ranked sixth this year. We hope to stand fifth the next year,” said Tanvi Sundriyal, additional managing director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism.

“We will help investors identify the type of products they want to invest in and help them in branding and marketing. The investors can also come forward with their suggestions. We are offering attractive incentives and are hopeful that private investors will play an aggressive role in creating new products in the state,” Sundriyal said.