Rural tourism on mind, UP set to develop homestays in 93 villages

Lucknow: The UP govt has undertaken several initiatives to boost the tourism economy in the villages of the state, an official spokesperson said on the eve of World Tourism Day.Listing one such project, he said, "The state has rolled out a comprehensive ‘Rural Tourism Development Strategy.' This initiative will focus on the development of tourism infrastructure, including the introduction of homestays, in 93 villages during its first phase, aiming to provide visitors with an authentic experience of rural life while boosting local economies."To promote rural tourism, the construction and development of homestays are being accelerated in the Devipatan, Chitrakoot, Ayodhya, Lucknow, and Varanasi divisions. These regions are rich in natural beauty, folk arts, rural culture, and historical, spiritual, and traditional values, he said.Consequently, a strategic plan has been initiated to attract both domestic and foreign tourists by showcasing the unique rural environment of these areas.As many as 19 villages in the Ayodhya division have been earmarked for the promotion of rural tourism. Currently, Chuintiapara and Darwan of Ambedkar Nagar, and Ayodhya's Abanpur Saroha, Amouani, Sevadhaat, Rampurwa, and Gauraghat have been identified for homestay development, whereas efforts are underway to identify 12 additional villages in Sultanpur, Barabanki, and Amethi for similar initiatives.In the Varanasi division, a total of 10 villages across Varanasi, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, and Chandauli will also be developed through the homestay process.In the Lucknow division, tourism and homestay development encompass 23 villages, notably including Korauna, Ramkot, Saraisani, Bihat Biram, Urdauli, and Thakur Nagar in Sitapur. Additionally, 17 more villages will be identified in Lucknow, Hardoi, Lakhimpur Kheri, Rae Bareli, and Unnao.Furthermore, a total of 17 villages in the Devipatan Mandal will be developed to promote rural tourism, focusing on villages in Bahraich, Balrampur, Gonda, and Shravasti.Lastly, in the Chitrakoot Mandal, 24 villages in Banda, Chitrakoot, Hamirpur, and Mahoba will be identified and developed for the homestay initiative and rural tourism.In all, the project aims to identify and develop 93 villages across five divisions in its first phase. To support these efforts, tourist guides, folk artists, and other tourism personnel will be appointed in these villages, operating through local agencies.This initiative includes various enhancements such as softscaping, plantation, horticulture, hardscaping (which involves creating murals, fountains, pathways, seating areas, barricades, and wall paintings), as well as electrical and plumbing upgrades.Additionally, the kitchen lab will be equipped with modern facilities to enhance the training environment.Lucknow-based Manyawar Kanshiram Institute of Tourism Management (MKITM) offers various graduate, postgraduate, and diploma courses related to tourism. Trained guides will be deployed across the state, with their training conducted at MKITM. Lucknow: The UP govt has undertaken several initiatives to boost the tourism economy in the villages of the state, an official spokesperson said on the eve of World Tourism Day.Listing one such project, he said, "The state has rolled out a comprehensive ‘Rural Tourism Development Strategy.' This initiative will focus on the development of tourism infrastructure, including the introduction of homestays, in 93 villages during its first phase, aiming to provide visitors with an authentic experience of rural life while boosting local economies."To promote rural tourism, the construction and development of homestays are being accelerated in the Devipatan, Chitrakoot, Ayodhya, Lucknow, and Varanasi divisions. These regions are rich in natural beauty, folk arts, rural culture, and historical, spiritual, and traditional values, he said.Consequently, a strategic plan has been initiated to attract both domestic and foreign tourists by showcasing the unique rural environment of these areas.As many as 19 villages in the Ayodhya division have been earmarked for the promotion of rural tourism. Currently, Chuintiapara and Darwan of Ambedkar Nagar, and Ayodhya's Abanpur Saroha, Amouani, Sevadhaat, Rampurwa, and Gauraghat have been identified for homestay development, whereas efforts are underway to identify 12 additional villages in Sultanpur, Barabanki, and Amethi for similar initiatives.In the Varanasi division, a total of 10 villages across Varanasi, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, and Chandauli will also be developed through the homestay process.In the Lucknow division, tourism and homestay development encompass 23 villages, notably including Korauna, Ramkot, Saraisani, Bihat Biram, Urdauli, and Thakur Nagar in Sitapur. Additionally, 17 more villages will be identified in Lucknow, Hardoi, Lakhimpur Kheri, Rae Bareli, and Unnao.Furthermore, a total of 17 villages in the Devipatan Mandal will be developed to promote rural tourism, focusing on villages in Bahraich, Balrampur, Gonda, and Shravasti.Lastly, in the Chitrakoot Mandal, 24 villages in Banda, Chitrakoot, Hamirpur, and Mahoba will be identified and developed for the homestay initiative and rural tourism.In all, the project aims to identify and develop 93 villages across five divisions in its first phase. To support these efforts, tourist guides, folk artists, and other tourism personnel will be appointed in these villages, operating through local agencies.This initiative includes various enhancements such as softscaping, plantation, horticulture, hardscaping (which involves creating murals, fountains, pathways, seating areas, barricades, and wall paintings), as well as electrical and plumbing upgrades.Additionally, the kitchen lab will be equipped with modern facilities to enhance the training environment.Lucknow-based Manyawar Kanshiram Institute of Tourism Management (MKITM) offers various graduate, postgraduate, and diploma courses related to tourism. Trained guides will be deployed across the state, with their training conducted at MKITM.