Hyderabad: The state government plans to rope in NRIs to develop tourism in Telangana. The Tourism department expects to announce a “Personalised Telangana Hospitality Scheme” for the purpose.
The department aims to tie up with airlines and prominent hotels to provide discounted air tickets and rooms to foreigners visiting Hyderabad and other tourist attractions with the help of NRIs.
“Fewer than 75,000 foreigners visit Telangana every year. And most of them arrive for business purposes. This is due to lack of promotional activity. But it is very expensive to take up an international campaign as we need to spend nearly Rs 500 crore per year. Instead, we want to avail the services of NRIs from TS to promote our tourism,” said Mr B. Venkatesham, secretary, Tourism department.
The department has approa-ched hotels and airlines for rooms and seats, which are unoccupied. to the department; these would in turn be offered to foreigners. "These coupons will be issued to NRIs, who will recommend foreigners to visit Telangana and offer them cheaper rates," Mr Venkatesham added.
