UP may earn Rs 12K cr revenue due to Maha Kumbh Mela: Assocham

NEW DELHI: The Uttar Pradesh government is likely to earn Rs 12,000 crore revenue due to increase in tourism activities on account of Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad this year, Assocham today claimed.

"Airlines, hotels and tour operators are likely to witness substantial boom in their economic activities and likely to contribute Rs 12,000 crore revenues in the state coffers," it said.

It also said the Maha Kumbh event will generate employment opportunities for over six lakh people in sectors such as airlines, hotels, tour operators, medical and eco-tourism.

During the Kumbh, about one million foreign tourists are expected to visit India, it said adding Australia, UK, Canada, Malaysia and Singapore will be the main countries from where tourists arrivals are expected to attend the Maha Kumbh.

Hotel industry is aiming at 100 per cent occupancy rate for Maha Kumbh, it said.

"Apart from Allahabad, other states like Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Punjab and Himachal will also be the major beneficiary states in terms of revenue generation where large number of foreign tourists are expected to visit," it added.

It said that the Uttar Pradesh tourism, hospitals, railways and airports are likely to earn a revenue of over Rs 1,500 crore in Maha Kumbh.

Kumbh Mela 2013 will be held from January 14 to March 10.