Govt camps for new plans to promote adventure tourism

According to market estimates, there is a shortage of 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh rooms in the country with the number for the national capital being in the range of 40,000 to 60,000. The upcoming Commonwealth Games in 2010 in New Delhi have spurred a huge demand for rooms in the Capital. The mismatch in demand and supply is pushing hotel tariff higher. This has led to tourist destinations outpricing themselves in the fiercely competitive international market.

With these guidelines, the ministry is looking at promoting eco, adventure and pilgrimage tourism in the country and is aiming to set a standard of quality for the establishments.

While the camp sites have been classifies into five categories ? wildlife, adventure (land, water and air), pilgrimage, new destinations and destinations linked to international events ? land requirement for them will be in the range of 1,200-2,000 sq metres. On the other hand, tented accommodation (camping sites) has been classified on the basis of minimum six tents and the minimum size of 10×10 feet.

?Setting up camp sites can be instrumental in promoting and facilitating adventure and pilgrimage tourism in the country. Adventure tourism is catching up in the country and the move is in the right direction to promote it further,? said Vijay Thakur, Indian Association of Tour Operators president.

To ensure active participation from the private sector and quick action, the state governments have been assigned the task of identifying land banks, arranging single window clearance for all approvals and facilitating lease of land to the private sector for the camps.

The local administration has also been kept in the loop and their help could be sought for water supply, electricity and subsidies on art alternate energy resources.

Both for camps as well as tents, the local community participation has been given weightage in tourism related activities. The interest from the local community will keep at bay any protests against tourism along with generating employment and boosting trade.

The guidelines for development of camp sites are advisory in nature and will encourage state governments and Union Territory administrations to promote and facilitate the setting up of camp sites.

The ministry has laid down some don?ts as well. For instance, a minimum separation of 500 meters has been kept between camp sites and no more than two campsites in an area of one square kilometer can be setup.

The state government would be responsible for undertaking campaigns to promote sites. As far as land for the tented accommodation is concerned, the permission of the district magistrate/collector has been made mandatory.