UP planning to launch combined tourist circuit with MP

KOLKATA: Uttar Pradesh is planning to launch combined circuits jointly with neighbouring Madhya Pradesh to attract tourists.

"We are planning to launch combined circuits with MP and we have begun talks. It will be a viable plan if the two states combine their resources to attract tourists," R Vikram Singh, Joint Managing Director of Tourism Corporation, UP, told here.

He said the state has received enthusiastic response from MP and "we are trying to start a joint tourist circuit which includes Taj Mahal, Gwalior, Orcha etc."

He said UP had a plan to promote tourism centering around Taj Mahal.

Many big hotel chains were keen to set up their hotels in Agra while the state government was improving the surroundings of Taj Mahal including the ecology, he said.
   
Observing that bifurcation of UP had led to loss of tourist traffic, Singh said that flow of foreign tourists dropped by 1.5 lakh.

"We are trying to make it up by developing new circuits which includes the Buddhist circuit, Avadh circuit, Brij, Bundelkhand and Vindyachal-Varanasi circuit. UP tourism plans to treble its investment from Rs 13 crore to Rs 40 crore to develop new circuits," he added.