Technoglitch
Core Member
While deliberations may be on to partially relax prohibition in the special economic zone (SEZ) area of the Gujarat International Finance-Tec City (GIFT), the upcoming policy ontourism in the state is not likely to make any relaxations on that.
Gujarat has a prohibition law in force since 1960 when Bombay state was dissolved into Maharashtra and Gujarat that prohibits the sale, purchase and consumption of alcoholic drinks. It is considered a major hindrance to tourism in the state.
"Since prohibition is not a norm elsewhere in India, most tourists feel uncomfortable with the restrictive laws in the state, and the manner in which consumption of alcohol is treated here. It is true that tourists can obtain a permit when they arrive in Gujarat, however, the process is cumbersome. If one is unable to enjoy a regular drink by the beach or at a tourist spot, it definitely acts as a deterrent," he said on condition of anonymity.
The state government has been working on a tourism policy for long now; and one of the areas that were under deliberation was whether prohibition could be relaxed. Only recently, the outgoing Managing Director and Group Chief Executive of GIFT City R K Jha had said that special areas for purchase and consumption may be opened up within hotels and clubs on the lines of smoking and non-smoking areas in the SEZ areas of GIFT city. The domestic area will continue to face prohibition
In the last few years the state which houses Asiatic lions, the white desert of Kutch, archaeological sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation, pilgrimage hotspots like Somnath and Dwarka as well as a 1600 km long
coastline dotted with beaches decided to step up the gas on tourism and went live with what now is hailed as one of the landmark tourism campaigns in the country, "Khushboo Gujarat Ki". The campaign featuring popular actor Amitabh Bachchan went on air in 2010, and ever since, Gujarat has seen a steady flow of tourists.
Gujarat's upcoming tourism policy unlikely to relax liquor ban | Business Standard News
Gujarat has a prohibition law in force since 1960 when Bombay state was dissolved into Maharashtra and Gujarat that prohibits the sale, purchase and consumption of alcoholic drinks. It is considered a major hindrance to tourism in the state.
"Since prohibition is not a norm elsewhere in India, most tourists feel uncomfortable with the restrictive laws in the state, and the manner in which consumption of alcohol is treated here. It is true that tourists can obtain a permit when they arrive in Gujarat, however, the process is cumbersome. If one is unable to enjoy a regular drink by the beach or at a tourist spot, it definitely acts as a deterrent," he said on condition of anonymity.
The state government has been working on a tourism policy for long now; and one of the areas that were under deliberation was whether prohibition could be relaxed. Only recently, the outgoing Managing Director and Group Chief Executive of GIFT City R K Jha had said that special areas for purchase and consumption may be opened up within hotels and clubs on the lines of smoking and non-smoking areas in the SEZ areas of GIFT city. The domestic area will continue to face prohibition
In the last few years the state which houses Asiatic lions, the white desert of Kutch, archaeological sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation, pilgrimage hotspots like Somnath and Dwarka as well as a 1600 km long
coastline dotted with beaches decided to step up the gas on tourism and went live with what now is hailed as one of the landmark tourism campaigns in the country, "Khushboo Gujarat Ki". The campaign featuring popular actor Amitabh Bachchan went on air in 2010, and ever since, Gujarat has seen a steady flow of tourists.
Gujarat's upcoming tourism policy unlikely to relax liquor ban | Business Standard News
