An interactive meeting was convened on Friday 15 September, 2023 at Hotel Radisson Green on behalf of the Ministry of State for Tourism and Defence, with the aim of gathering input and suggestions from stakeholders regarding the prospects and challenges of tourism development in Udaipur. The meeting was chaired by  Minister of State for Tourism and Defence,  Shri Ajay Bhatt, and saw the active participation of various stakeholders including hoteliers, tourist travel agency operators, guide associations, and tourism experts. During the meeting, participants provided valuable insights and recommendations concerning tourism in Udaipur.

At the outset, RK Suman, the Regional Director of the North Zone for the Ministry of Tourism, extended a warm welcome to all attendees, including the Minister of State for Tourism and Defence. He provided an overview of the Ministry's activities in the North Zone related to tourism development and also highlighted key government policy decisions in this regard.

Deputy Director of the Tourism Department, Shikha Saxena, provided insights into the department's ongoing efforts. Minister of State for Tourism and Defence, Shri Ajay Bhatt, expressed that the land of Mewar symbolizes self-respect and patriotism, evoking these sentiments in visitors upon arrival. He further noted the prevailing trend of historical tourism.

Tourists visit historical destinations to witness their heritage firsthand. Udaipur holds a unique position in this regard, which has led to rapid tourism development in the area. Speaking about the Central Government's initiatives in promoting tourism, he mentioned that currently, the e-Visa facility is available to citizens of 167 countries, allowing them to obtain Indian tourist visas from the comfort of their homes. Additionally, the government has established 50,000 youth tourism clubs across the country as part of its efforts.

Suggestions Provided

• During the meeting, stakeholders recommended granting international airport status to Udaipur's Maharana Pratap Airport and implementing a one-time checking system for foreign tourists. This would alleviate the inconvenience caused by repeated checks for tourists.
• Furthermore, there are ongoing efforts to enhance the traffic system in Udaipur's Old City, remove hoardings obstructing heritage buildings, introduce a water taxi service on the city's lakes, and organize festivals to promote tribal tourism, among other initiatives.
• Plans are underway to approve the construction of the road connecting Udaipur to Kumbhalgarh, with work set to commence shortly. Additionally, there are intentions to streamline regulations within the hotel industry, establish a film city in Rajasthan, create 24x7 food court facilities in Udaipur, enhance security measures for night tourism, and facilitate foreign tourists' access to historical sites.
• Numerous other demands and suggestions were put forth, encompassing the provision of separate counters for tourists, the establishment of a standardized syllabus for degree courses in tourism education to enhance employment opportunities for graduates, and the introduction of free entry privileges for guides at historical sites and significant locations.