Uttar Pradesh Tourism Policy 2022: Comprehensive Guide to Incentives and Benefits

Introduction

The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Policy 2022 aims to transform the state into a global tourism hub by promoting diverse tourism offerings, enhancing infrastructure, and providing a range of incentives to investors and stakeholders in the tourism sector.

Objectives

• Attract investments worth Rs40,000 crore in the tourism sector over five years.
• Generate employment opportunities for 20 lakh individuals.
• Develop and promote various tourism circuits, including religious, heritage, eco-tourism, and wellness tourism.
• Enhance the state's tourism infrastructure and services to international standards.

Financial Incentives

1. Capital Investment Subsidy

Eligible tourism units can avail capital subsidies based on their investment:

An additional 5% subsidy is available for:

• Investments in Focus Tourism Destinations (FTDs).
• Projects in unserved destinations in Tier-2 or lower cities.
• Women entrepreneurs and SC/ST/Backward class entrepreneurs

Note: The total subsidy is capped at 30% of the Eligible Capital Investment (ECI).

2. Interest Subsidy

• 5% interest subsidy on loans up to Rs5 crore for a period of 5 years.
• Applicable to tourism units not availing the capital investment subsidy.

3. Employment Generation Subsidy

• 100% reimbursement of the employer's EPF contribution for 5 years for units employing more than 50 workers who are domiciled in Uttar Pradesh.

Non-Financial Incentives

1. Stamp Duty and Registration Fee Exemption

100% exemption on stamp duty and registration fees for the first transaction related to the purchase or lease of land for eligible tourism units.

2. Land Use Conversion and Development Charges

• 100% exemption on land use conversion and development charges for new and expansion tourism units.

3. Industry Status for Tourism Units

• Tourism units will be granted industry status, making them eligible for:
• Industrial rates for electricity, water, and property taxes.
• Construction permissions in notified industrial areas.

Support for Responsible and Inclusive Tourism

1. Incentives for Specially-Abled Friendly Units

• Payroll assistance of Rs1,500 per month per specially-abled worker, up to 5 workers per unit.

2. Revival of Art and Culture

• Grants up to Rs5 lakh for individuals or groups involved in the revival of scarce art, music, crafts, culture, and cuisine.

ICT Enablement

• One-time assistance of 25% of the cost for procuring ICT equipment.
• 25% subsidy for promotional content using technology, AI, and metaverse.

Development of Tourism Circuits

The policy emphasizes the development of various tourism circuits to promote diverse tourism experiences:

• Religious Circuits: Ramayana Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Mahabharata Circuit, Shakti Peetha Circuit.
• Heritage and Cultural Circuits: Promotion of heritage sites, forts, and palaces.
• Eco and Adventure Tourism: Development of eco-tourism and adventure tourism activities.
• Wellness and Rural Tourism: Promotion of wellness resorts and rural tourism experiences.

Policy Duration

The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Policy 2022 is effective from 23rd November 2022 and will remain in force for a period of 5 years or until a new policy is introduced