The Tourism Ministry was on Friday allocated Rs 1,047 crores in the 2008-09 budget, an increase of Rs 50.38 crores over last year.

With the increase in the foreign tourist arrivals, the government has put emphasis for the development of tourist infrastructure in the country. It has earmarked Rs 472 crores for construction of budget accommodation, wayside amenities and tourist reception centres.

The other facilities where the ministry intends to spend include refurbishment of monuments, special tourism projects, adventure and sports facilities, sound and light shows, illuminations of monuments, providing for improvements in signages and solid waste and sewerage management.

A five-year holiday from income tax has been announced in the budget proposals for two, three and four star hotels established in specific districts which have Unesco-declared World Heritage Sites.

The hotel should start functioning from April 1 this year to March 31, 2013. The measure has been taken in view of significant rise in tourist arrivals. The ministry got a hike in the allocation for the overseas campaign -- from Rs 165 crores to Rs 220 crores. The increase is nominal for the domestic campaign. It was hiked from Rs 63 crores last year to Rs 65 crore.

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