Jaipur, April 21 (IANS): The average occupancy of heritage hotels is about 40 percent per year due to poor road connectivity, an official of the Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA) said here on Tuesday.

"All the heritage hotels require is good basic infrastructure like roads and rail connectivity, sanitation and electricity," general secretary of the Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA) and co-chairman of the Ficci Rajasthan state council, Randhir Vikram Singh, told IANS in an interview here on Tuesday.

He said that "presently there are around 3,000 rooms available in these heritage hotels across the country. Maximum of over 100 of such hotels are in Rajasthan alone".

"However, the average occupancy still is just around 40 percent per year and that is mainly because of poor road connectivity," said Singh who was attending the 8th edition of the Great Indian Travel Bazaar 2015 (GITB), an international mart, which came to an end on Tuesday.

The event held here from April 19 was organised by the Department of Tourism, government of Rajasthan, the ministry of tourism, government of India and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) here from April 19 to 21.

Singh said that today not only the international traveller but also the domestic tourist is looking for an experience with history and legacy. The heritage hotels provide them this unique experience on their sojourns.

"Travellers have special interest in the heritage edifices built by the maharajas of yesteryears which abound with folklore and stories of valour, war expeditions, conquests and more. To stay in one of these hotels is an overwhelming experience which fills the guests with a sense of royalty," he added.

Singh hoped that things will improve since the present government at the centre is "very proactive and the government has already announced promotion of tourism will get high priority".

According to him, a visit to heritage hotels gives a peek into the rural life of India, the cuisine, festivals and sports.

He also requested support from the government for encouraging the setting up of these hotels. "These hotels also generate employment opportunities in the rural areas."

"We in hotels are encouraging local musicians, dancers and other local talent to showcase their talents and are also providing them employment opportunities," he said.

"One reason why the government should support the opening of more heritage hotels is that the gestation period of the property is maximum one year while the star hotels take 3 years or more to become operational.

"Assets are lying idle.....you are giving employment to youth, so why not encourage setting up of these hotels," Singh said.