While the state government is aiming to see a 20 per cent growth in tourists visiting Gujarat in 2013-14, growth of the number of hotel rooms at popular tourist locations is unlikely to keep pace with tourist inflow growth.
Several tour operators in the state say that in the last few years, while there has been a significant rise in interest in Gujarat tourism thanks to the popular campaign Khushboo Gujarat Ki, addition of quality hotel rooms at tourist spots has been slow.In the longrun, such logistical issues can de-rail the Gujarat government's ambitious plans for tourism growth, say operators.
Data from the tourism ministry website shows that from January 2010 to December 2013, around 35 new hotel projects including even bed-and-breakfast inns, totalling around 2,300 rooms have been approved in Gujarat. In comparison, 296 hotel projects have been approved in Kerala, 130 in Maharashtra, 90 in Tamil Nadu, 68 in Uttar Pradesh during the same period.
Ambaji has seen none, Palitana has actually seen a decline of 25 rooms, Girnar and Somnath have also not seen any room additions. In comparison, 365 rooms have been added at Vadodara, 353 in Surat and 284 rooms in Gandhidham as per a report in Business Standard.
Even Mehsana and Anand have seen 106 and 137 rooms added respectively during the period as these are close to industrial and commercial centers.
Tourist spots like Mandvi (20 rooms), Porbandar (nil), Patan (nil) and Pavagadh (nil) have not seen many hotel rooms getting added to accommodate tourists.
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