Soon, the city could become one of the global golfing destinations in Asia what with the State Tourism Department actively scouting for land to build over five golf courses in and around the city. Unlike the existing 18 hole golf course built on approximately 130 acres of land, the new ones will keep the international standard of 20 holes. The state-of-the-art golf courses will be built on a minimum of 200 acres of land, Peravaram Ramulu, Chairman, Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) announced here on Tuesday.
Each of courses will be just over one hour drive from the core of the city, said Mr. Ramulu in a media conference.
While in the Middle East and Japan, golfing is a big sport, China which is the only golfing destination that is close in proximity, lacks land to build world class golf courses, he said, hoping foreign tourists would consider golfing attraction in Hyderabad hard to resist.
The number could go up to 10, depending on the availability of land, he said. Telangana’s major golfing project will be based on public-private-partnership model of fund sharing. “The design and development of the golf courses will be outsourced to foreign consultants who will work in collaboration with the Indian firms,” said Christina Z Chongthu, MD, TSTDC. Golfing goal of the State is scheduled to take off starting financial year 2016-17, TSTDC top brass confirmed.
Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has already agreed on the project, Mr. Ramulu said.
Eco-tourism
Telangana will also go big on eco-tourism as the Centre has sanctioned Rs. 100 crore for the project, the Chairman said.
He was speaking at the two day national conference on tourism and hospitality organised by National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (NITHM). The funds will be used to support eco-tourism in forest region in Mahbubnagar district, he said.
