MOT Takes Initiatives To Resolve Accommodation Problems

Identifies 90 Plots In The Capital Alone For Hotel Projects

Jyoti Koul - New Delhi

India is poised to emerge as the second fastest growing (8.8%) tourism economy in the world over 2005-14 according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). Gearing up to meet the demands and create infrastructure, the ministry of tourism, government of India has initiated measures towards this end. In an exclusive with Express hotelier and Caterer, AK Misra, secretary, ministry of tourism said, “The industry has been talking about accommodation constraints, which are felt very acutely in Delhi, Bombay and Bangalore. In Delhi, since the land is in the hands of Delhi Development Authority (DDA), we have spoken to them about the issue keeping in view the need of hotel industry and also the common wealth games to be held in 2010. In this regard, a decision has been taken and about 90 plots have been identified for the hotel in the capital city and another 40 plots have been short-listed for small budget hotels and guest houses." In addition to this a recommendation has been made to the ministry of Urban Development to permit hotels to come up within four kms of the airport (as there were some restrictions on that). The ministry will introduce new guidelines allowing hotels to come up within such areas. "We have a number of sites which are suitable for hotel projects within 4 kms of international airport zone," said Misra.

Some relaxation has also been given to Floor Area Ratio (FAR). FAR is being relaxed so that more accommodation can be created. In addition, for the first time the ministry itself is registering all the guesthouses in the entire country by which a large number of guesthouses would be listed and approved.

"We have gone a step further to encourage home stays as these accommodation facilities are being classified and registered, which can be utilised by foreign tourists without any difficulty or hesitation. We will soon give them accreditation on quality. In this regard draft guidelines have been formulated and now we have to send it to all the state governments for their comments and very soon these guidelines will be in place," revealed Misra.