Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh has directed officials to take all possible measures to increase the number of hotel rooms across the state in light of the rising number of tourists. Chairing a review meeting of various schemes and programs run by the tourism department, he also stressed the timely resolution of pending service-related matters of departmental officers and employees, including promotions, transfers, deputations, and other personnel issues.
The minister emphasized the expedited posting of officials to vacant positions across districts and the formulation of proposals under the Transfer Policy 2025. He instructed officials to ensure quick resolution of pending employee cases and directed the preparation of a detailed dossier to propose the Sonbhadra Fossil Park—believed to be millions of years old—for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List by September 30, 2025.
Highlighting the goal set by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to transform Uttar Pradesh into a $1 trillion economy, Singh called for intensified efforts by the tourism department to attract both domestic and international tourists. This includes expanding rooms in hotels, dhabas, banquet halls, rural homestays, and urban homestays, along with effectively implementing the Bed and Breakfast Establishment and Homestay Policy to enhance tourist facilities.
He also recommended improvements in way-side amenities along highways, suggesting collaboration with petrol pump owners to build clean restrooms, toilets, and additional guest rooms. Singh further directed that highway hotels and dhabas with high tourist footfall be upgraded with better infrastructure and public facilities.
Noting the high footfall at religious tourism destinations such as Varanasi, Prayagraj, Mirzapur, Lucknow, Jhansi, Bareilly, Ayodhya, and Agra, he highlighted the tourism sector’s role in generating employment for tour operators, hoteliers, and the local population, thereby boosting the local economy. Recognizing the unlimited income potential of the tourism sector, Singh stressed on extending the benefits of the Tourism Policy 2022 to all stakeholders.
To make tourism more youth-centric, he proposed the formation of more Youth Tourism Clubs and emphasized promotion of eco-tourism. He suggested launching curated tours and conducting activities through identified youth clubs under a comprehensive action plan.
Singh also called for active coordination with the Department of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change and the Department of Irrigation and Water Resources to promote eco-tourism initiatives. Additionally, the state will promote agri-rural and Ganga Gram rural tourism under the UP Rural Tourism initiative. Currently, the tourism villages attract over 300,000 domestic tourists and more than 100,000 foreign tourists annually.
During the meeting, the 2025-26 action plan related to land acquisition, publicity, and the review of unauthorized transfers/deputations was also discussed. Principal Secretary of Tourism and Culture Mukesh Meshram emphasized enhancing facilities at hotels and dhabas and increasing hotel occupancy rates across the state.
The meeting was attended by UPTDC MD Sanya Chawla, Tourism Director Prakhar Mishra, Joint Deputy Director Dinesh Kumar, Deputy Director (HQ) Kalyan Singh, and other senior officials.
