Gandhinagar: Gujarat government has today announced State’s first Heritage Tourism policy. In a meeting chaired by Chief Minister, final touches were given to this policy which makes provision to permit use of pre 1950 historical buildings such as heritage palaces and forts, as heritage hotel, heritage museum, heritage banquet hall an heritage restaurants, provided that basic heritage structure is not disturbed. This decision paves a way for creating tourism attraction in unused historical buildings.

As per the policy, the government will give assistance worth Rs. 45 lakh to Rs. 1 crore for renovation and restoration to start heritage museum, banquet hall and restaurant for five years with 7 per cent interest subsidy in limit of maximum Rs. 30 lakh per year.

The Government today also announced its decision to simplify the provisions of existing Gujarat Home Stay Policy 2014-19, and make provision of use of residence of 1-6 room size for home stay. Such Home Stay unit will get benefits such as levy of residential purpose electricity rate and residential purpose property tax. Home Stay units registered in Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd will also be encouraged to get benefit of solar roof top scheme. At present 100 home-stay units are functional in Gujarat. DeshGujarat