Looking to refine the tourism landscape in Uttar Pradesh, the state government is looking to woo ‘royals’ and hospitality majors for redeveloping heritage properties including forts and palaces.
UP Tourism is organising a Heritage Conclave this week in Lucknow to give a major push to the state’s historic forts, palaces and old mansions by transforming them into vibrant heritage hotels, wedding destinations, wellness centers and cultural hubs.
The Yogi Adityanath government has identified tourism as a key sector for achieving its $trillion economy target.
The conclave will bring together over 60 members from erstwhile royal families and 250 distinguished hotel owners, investors, real estate developers, and consultants from across India.
The collaboration seeks to position UP as a premier heritage tourism destination, akin to Rajasthan and Gujarat, with a dash of global appeal.
UP Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh emphasised the state’s growing prominence in the tourism sector, noting that over 480 million tourists visited the state in 2023, drawn to iconic destinations like Ayodhya, Kashi, Mathura, and Prayagraj.
UP Tourism has taken steps to develop six significant properties under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, including Chunar Fort (Mirzapur), Baruasagar Fort (Jhansi), Chhattar Manzil (Lucknow), Barsana Mahal (Mathura), Shukla Talab (Kanpur Dehat), and Roshan-ud-Daula (Lucknow).
The MoUs for these properties will be signed during the proposed conclave, with plans to develop additional sites.
The event aims to foster direct dialogue between royal families and industry leaders, paving the way for innovative collaborations.
Singh expressed confidence the conclave will be a milestone in boosting heritage tourism and creating significant employment opportunities for local communities.