Uttar Pradesh State PCS

• 17 Apr 2024

Uttar Pradesh Government Investment in Hospitality Sector

Why in News?

According to the officials, The Uttar Pradesh government might invest Rs 32,000 crore in the hospitality and tourism sector.

• The state’s annual tourist footfall is estimated to reach 850 million by 2028.

Key Points

• The investment would likely create an additional 80,000 accommodation units by way of hotels, and resorts to bridge the deficit in room availability.
• The state is focusing on ramping up hospitality units in tourism hotspots such as Varanasi, Ayodhya, Prayagraj, and Agra.
• The heritage properties, including forts and palaces, are being offered to the private sector for development.
• Under the Tourism Policy 2022 the state is also providing subsidies for setting up unique countryside farm stays.
  • Homeowners are encouraged to enlist their properties for homestays, while the owners of heritage properties are being invited to convert their precincts as heritage hotels for discerning tourists.
• The state is aiming to develop multi-experience circuits such as wellness centres, and improving the connectivity of Buddhist destinations, such as Sarnath and Kaushambi.
• It is also focusing on diversifying tourism experiences and creating contemporary tourism products by developing adventure tourism, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions), wellness, and ecotourism.

Special Cover on Ram Navami

Why in News?

In a programme organized under the aegis of postal department and Prayag Philatelic society, postmaster general of Prayagraj region released a special cover on the eve of Ram Navami.

Key Points

• Stamp collections featuring iconic cultural figures such as Lord Ram serve as a bridge between people and their heritage.
• These stamps are not only popular in India but also in over 20 other countries worldwide, where they depict characters and tales from the epic Ramayana.
• The unique Ram Navami-themed stamp will be on sale for Rs 25 at the Philatelic bureau situated in the head post office of Prayagraj.

Prayag Philatelic Society

• It was formed on 21^st July 2017 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act 1860 at Allahabad.
• Its objective is to promote the cause of philately among all age groups, it invited membership from all over India.

Rama Navami

• It is a spring Hindu festival.
• The festival marks the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
• The day is the ninth and last day of Chaitra Navaratri. This typically occurs in the Gregorian months of March or April every year.