Tourism Dept. launches paying guest scheme

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, MAY 2.The Tourism Department today launched the paying guest accommodation scheme for the benefit of tourists visiting Hyderabad from outside Andhra Pradesh.

The Minister for Tourism, Mr. E. Peddi Reddi, handed over certificates of recognition to 12 persons who have come forward to provide accommodation in the Twin Cities to domestic and international tourists at reasonable tariffs ranging from Rs. 150 for a single room to US $ 40 for a double room.

Addressing a news conference, the Minister said AP Tourism had laid down a dozen guidelines to house owners for the paying guest scheme. They have stipulated that the owner must stay in the premises, accommodation must be in a good locality and there must not be more than ten `lettable' beds or five rooms.

On its part, the Tourism Department would provide publicity to the scheme which was primarily aimed at exposing tourists to the State's rich culture and heritage. Officials would periodically inspect the houses to ensure maintenance of minimum standards.

Stating that Hyderabad was gaining importance as a tourist destination, Mr. Peddi Reddi disclosed that the first flight of the Malaysian Airlines from Kuala Lumpur would land here at 11.30 p.m. on May 5 and leave at 12.35 a.m. on May 6. The passengers would be given a traditional welcome at the airport.

Emirate airlines was also introducing a weekly flight from July 1 while additional flights would be launched in due course to Singapore and Dubai from Hyderabad. The Tourism Department was gearing itself to create a proper environment to cater to tourists.

As a first step, the scheme for pedestrianisation of the area around Charminar would be speeded up by earmarking bypass roads for vehicluar traffic. Besides, the department would be meeting event managers next week to organise the Dasara-Deepavali festival at Gymkhana grounds for which the Defence Ministry's permission was being sought.

Meanwhile, the traditional Lumbini festival would be held here on May 5, 6 and 7 to coincide with Buddha Poornima on the final day. Also on the agenda was a conference of Southern Tourism Ministers' conference on the theme "Look South" here on May 23 and a Gujarati Crafts Mela at Shilparamam from May 9 to 15.

He said the department had declared `Hospitality week' from June 3 to 10 as thousands of asthma patients from all over the country and abroad would come here for taking fish medicine on `Mrugasira Kartika Day' falling on June 8.

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