Rajasthan government plans to develop 23 old airstrips under PPP mode: Tourism Minister Vishvendra Singh

During the G20 Tourism Expo in Jaipur, Tourism Minister Vishvendra Singh announced that the Rajasthan government plans to develop 23 old airstrips through public-private partnerships. These airstrips will accommodate smaller and chartered flights. Additionally, Singh encouraged all participants to promote Rajasthan tourism.

Singh, who also holds the portfolio of civil aviation in the state cabinet, stated that the initiative is under the guidance and leadership of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. He added that the old airstrips would provide direct linkage for chartered flights.

Singh cited the example of Kishangarh Airport, which diverted a significant amount of crowd from the main airport after the operationalization of flights. The minister noted that people traveling to Ajmer or for ‘ziyarat’ are now using Kishangarh airport.

When questioned about its progress, he stated that the plan was “in the pipeline and will be done soon.” He added that they had identified all the airstrips, including those from the colonial era or those built by former rulers.

Singh revealed to PTI that the plan involves giving these airstrips on a PPP basis, with private sector investment and a certain percentage of landing and taking off fees going to the state. This move, he said, will enhance connectivity, allowing for chartered and smaller flights to land at these airstrips.

The Ministry of Tourism is hosting the G20 Tourism Expo in collaboration with the Rajasthan tourism department and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The tourism minister also stated in his speech that tourism is not the property of any political party, be it the Congress or the BJP, and urged the speedy release of funds from the Centre to the state.

Singh has stated that many states are eager to emulate the various elements of the recently approved Rajasthan Rural Tourism Scheme.

Rajasthan Rural Tourism Scheme

In November, the Rajasthan Cabinet authorized the Rajasthan Rural Tourism Scheme, 2022, to strengthen rural tourism and generate employment. The scheme aims to establish rural guest houses, agricultural tourism units, camping sites, and caravan parks to provide job opportunities in villages and safeguard the handicrafts sector.

The scheme will also introduce domestic and international tourists to the rural culture of Rajasthan. Singh stated, “This rural tourism policy will create numerous employment opportunities and focus on our folklore, rural landscape, wildlife, cultural and heritage sites, as well as religious sites, beyond the usual tourist destinations.”

Delegates from G20 member countries, such as Italy, Turkiye, Australia, and Germany, also attended the event. The Ambassador of South Korea to India, Chang Jae-bok, was also present. G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant was also slated to attend the event but was unable to do so, according to a senior official.

The 12th edition of the Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB) is coinciding with the G20 Tourism Expo. The Ministry of Tourism, the Department of Tourism, the government of Rajasthan, and FICCI co-organize GITB, which is one of the most prominent events for inbound tourism in India. They have scheduled the event for Sunday evening.

After a hiatus of three years, GITB is ready to host over 11,000 B2B meetings. The meetings will feature 283 tour operators from 56 countries, including over 150 from G20 countries. The event will bring together tourism board representatives from 11 Indian states – Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan – along with more than 290 Indian exhibitors, according to the organizers.

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