The Gujarat Tourism Department has allocated INR 200 crore to establish special tourism zones (STZs) in the state, combining both greenfield and brownfield projects. State government officials noted that while the Union government provides funding for STZs, Gujarat has also earmarked funds in its budget for these initiatives.
The majority of funding for these projects will originate from the Union government, which has a comprehensive policy on special tourism projects. The state government aims to develop entirely new sites and convert existing ones into STZs, according to officials.
According to top government sources, the sites of Dholavira, Shivrajpur, Sir Creek and border areas of Banaskantha are proposed to be developed as STZs, reported Times of India. The government of India has devised a scheme for the development of STZs to set new standards for tourism infrastructure, products and experiences. This scheme aims to create integrated large-scale modern tourism enclaves in collaboration with the private sector to enrich the tourism experience.
To accomplish the goal of establishing world-class tourism zones and attracting global players in travel, tourism and hospitality, the Union government has established guidelines for STZ setup. Each STZ must have a distinct identity, with the state government providing a comprehensive master plan for such projects.
