States to use IPL to boost local tourism
The state governments are using the high momentum on Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament to promote tourism industry in their land. The state governments believe that by giving tax concessions and other facilities, the tourism sector could attract large number of people to the state during IPL matches. The idea is to promote and sell other tourism properties in the states clubbing with Indian Premier Matches. Sources close to the Tamil Nadu state tourism government confirmed that they have been giving shape to a well thought out strategy to cross sell state tourism projects with IPL matches.
Eight state governments in the country are getting direct benefit of Indian Premier League extravaganza. Most of the matches in the tournament are attracting large number of visitors from other part of the country. Teams from Delhi, Maharshtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andra Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajastan and Punjab are participating in the IPL tournament now. Also the governments have been getting lot of revenue from matches being held at different stadiums in these states.
The thinking among the governments is to make use much hyped and highly popular Twenty20 matches to promote tourism in their respective state. The Maharashtra government has taken first lead in this direction by proposing a entertainment tax exemption for IPL. It has decided to waive 25 percent entertainment tax for the IPL thereby giving away revenue of at least Rs 8-10 crore per year. Maharashtra is hosting 10 matches including two semi-finals and one final in the IPL match schedule. As per the Bombay Entertainment Duty Act 1923, any show, musical, performance that’s organised with an intention of making profit need to pay entertainment tax to the state government. Also government used to levy entertainment tax on test matches and one-day internationals.
The franchise owners, mostly business tycoons and Bollywood stars, have spent crores of rupees to buy teams and players for the world’s richest cricket tournament that began on April 18.