'RIPS policy to address issues linked to tourism assets'

 The new Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme (RIPS) will address issues related to tourism units, said Commissioner Industries, Rajasthan, Dr Krishna Kant Pathak, on Saturday.

He was speaking at a session 'New MSME Act, RIPS and other schemes' at the 8th Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA) annual convention in Pushkar. He said policy makers were well aware that the tourism sector has huge potential and needs to be given a boost with incentives and other measures. "The new policy will be investment friendly for tourism projects," he said.

The Commissioner, however, cautioned that hoteliers must ensure that the building by-laws were followed strictly.

In the same session, Deputy Director, Department of Tourism, Ajay Sharma, outlined the incentives given for heritage properties. He said the new tourism policy was in the offing for which he invited the hoteliers' suggestions. He said 87 heritage properties had already been given heritage certificates by the Department of Tourism.

Earlier, an exhibition featuring various hospitality and industry related products was inaugurated by Punjab Tourism Minister Charanjit Singh Channi.

During his Presidential address, Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur said heritage hotels had played a pivotal role in promoting rural tourism. The travel and tourism sector provides employment opportunities to a large number of people. This sector must be proactively promoted by the government, he said.IANS