The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh eyes investments of more than $3.9 billion (Rs 32,000 crore) in the hospitality and tourism sector, according to a report published in Business Standard. The investment could create an additional 80,000 accommodation units through hotels and resorts, addressing the room availability deficit.
Religious tourism surged post the consecration of the Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya on Jan. 22. Uttar Pradesh anticipates an annual tourist footfall of 850 million by 2028, emphasizing the expansion of hospitality units in tourism hubs like Varanasi, Ayodhya, Prayagraj, and Agra, Business Standard daily reported.
“To cater to this increasing demand, the state is looking to create a robust supply of accommodation units with the development of hotels, resorts, and homestays,” a government official was quoted as saying in the report.
Heritage properties like forts and palaces are being offered to the private sector for development, the business daily said. The state is encouraging homeowners 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.
Uttar Pradesh tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh said that the state offers subsidies under the Tourism Policy 2022 for establishing distinctive countryside farm stays.
"Selected villages are transformed into rural tourism centers under this initiative," Singh said.
The state focuses on diversifying tourism experiences by developing adventure tourism, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions), wellness, and ecotourism offerings, the media report said. In fact, about 500 tourism and related infra projects have already been launched in Ayodhya, Varanasi, Vrindavan, Prayagraj, Kushinagar, and Mirzapur pertaining to hotels, resorts, guest houses, and infra development.
Global hospitality chains BWH Hotels and Hyatt Hotels Corp. are expanding in India. BWH's New Delhi franchisee, Sorrel Hospitality, aims for 51 hotels in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and India by 2024. Hyatt plans to expand its brands in India and Southwest Asia with eight new hotels in 2024, focusing on Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Place, and Hyatt Centric.
Canadian traveler picks Pakistan’s hospitality over India’s
Pakistan Beats India in Hospitality, Says Canadian Vlogger
INDIA IS KNOWN for “Atithi Devo Bhava,” meaning "The guest is God," but some foreigners disagree. A Canadian man, when asked to choose between India and Pakistan for better hospitality, picked Pakistan without hesitation.
His brief interview with an Instagram user has since gone viral, Hindustan Times reported.
Instagram user @officialnamour, known for vox pop videos, recently asked Canadian traveler Nolan Saumure about "desi" hospitality. Saumure, a Canadian travel vlogger, has visited dozens of countries, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Indonesia, the U.S. and Vietnam.
When asked, “India or Pakistan—which has better hospitality?” Saumure instantly replied, "Pakistan, obviously."
He explained that Indians often see foreigners as wealthy customers, while Pakistanis offer warm hospitality, inviting tourists into their homes and offering food.
"You go to India, and people just see you as a walking ATM," Saumure said. "You go to Pakistan, and people are like, 'Oh, come here, sit. Take this free food. Come sleep at my place.'"
The video has more than 4.4 million views and hundreds of comments, many agreeing with Saumure.
"As an African living in Dubai, I agree with him. Pakistanis are friendlier than Indians. Pakistanis see you as a friend, while Indians see you as a stranger," one user commented. Another added simply, “I agree (I’m Indian).”
“India gets a lot of tourists, so we’re used to it and have built an economy around them,” another Instagram user said. “Pakistan gets only a few hundred tourists a year, so seeing a foreigner is a big deal for them.”
Some criticized Saumure’s opinion, some with racial overtones.
“Why do whites expect princess treatment from Indians after stealing $45 trillion from India?” one user asked.
A whitepaper by the Confederation of Indian Industry and EY projects India’s tourism and hospitality sector will create 6.1 million jobs by 2034. It currently accounts for 8 percent of total employment.