Newstrack

MP lures hoteliers with cheap lands

Praveen K Singh - New Delhi

To encourage setting up of more hotels in the state of Madhya Pradesh, tourism minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia has offered low-cost land to hoteliers and investors. Speaking to Express Hospitality, she said, "We welcome all hoteliers and investors to take notice of the potential the state of Madhya Pradesh has. We are ready to offer them inexpensive land to build hotels in different parts of the state."

She said that the state offers range of choice for tourists to spend their holidays. Citing the areas where hoteliers can contemplate starting hotels, she said, "Places like Panchmarhi, Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Amarkantak, Bhedaghat, Chanderi, Omkareshwar, Maher, Mandala, Khalghat, Katni, etc have great potential and hoteliers can look at building hotels in these cities."

Hailing this announcement, Reyaz Mama, director of Choice Hospitality, said, "This is an encouraging move. There is a lot of scope for mid-segment and budget hotels in this region. It is a unique destination with a lot of heritage and a huge amount of forest reserves, which is largely untapped. Its ability to position and market itself is immense. It is very important to build a brand entity in the long run." Recently, MP also invited international hotel brands to partner with it for management contracts for its hotels in the state.

He said that the tourism authorities also need to focus on increasing room nights of each tourist, as the state has so much to offer. "Since it's in the heart of the country, it has the potential of tapping all inbound tourists," Reyaz said.