‘Hosting Miss World will put Telangana on the global tourism map’

Tourism Secretary Smita Sabharwal throughout an interview on Telangana internet hosting Miss World 2025, in Hyderabad on Thursday.
| Photograph Credit score: NAGARA GOPAL

As Telangana prepares to host the 72nd edition of Miss World from May 4 to 31, the occasion is predicted to put the State on the worldwide tourism map. Smita Sabharwal, Principal Secretary of Youth Development, Tourism and Tradition, in an unique interview with Siddharth Kumar Singh shared insights on the importance of the occasion and its potential to showcase Telangana’s wealthy heritage and hospitality to the world.

How did the dialog start about Miss World 2025 coming to Telangana?

Nearly a month in the past, the Miss World crew reached out to us through electronic mail. Steve Douglas Morley from the Miss World Organisation, who can be a part of the founding household, personally approached us. The discussions went via numerous phases, and it was evident from the beginning that they’re deeply dedicated to selling native tradition. The rationale I welcomed this proposal and engaged in a number of discussions was that I see this as a golden alternative to advertise Telangana tourism. With 140 international locations collaborating and over 3,000 media companions protecting the occasion for 28 days, it gives an unparalleled platform to showcase our state’s heritage and points of interest.

We’ve unbelievable locations that stay comparatively unexplored. As an illustration, the Ramappa Temple, Yadagirigutta, Kawal Tiger Reserve, and Amrabad Tiger Reserve, all these websites supply various experiences, from temple tourism to eco-tourism. Nevertheless, they haven’t been marketed extensively. My aim throughout this one-month-long occasion is to package deal and current Telangana’s wealthy cultural tapestry, together with its delicacies, handlooms, and locations. One other vital side is making certain that the highlight isn’t simply on Hyderabad however on different components of Telangana as effectively. We’re additionally in talks with the Railways to function Vande Bharat trains through the occasion, making it simpler for members to discover totally different components of the state.

UNESCO has conferred the World Heritage inscription to the historic Rudreswara Temple, also called the Ramappa Temple at Palampet in Mulugu district of Telangana. File
| Photograph Credit score:
NAGARA GOPAL

We’re engaged on thematic campaigns that align with the strengths of Telangana. For instance, Hyderabad is likely one of the prime locations for medical tourism within the nation, and with members from 140 nations, we goal to spotlight town as a worldwide healthcare hub. We’re curating methods to place Telangana successfully, just like how the Indian Premier League (IPL) captures public creativeness. Moreover, Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi Worldwide Airport (RGIA) is taken into account top-of-the-line airports on the planet. All through the occasion, we are going to use this as a promotional instrument, highlighting proximity, how sure vacationer spots are simply an hour or two away from the airport, thus instilling confidence in worldwide guests.

Security is a precedence. We’re making certain a safe tourism ecosystem, together with establishing a devoted vacationer police pressure. After we first met with the Miss World crew, we invited them to go to the Telangana Police Built-in Command and Management Centre in Hyderabad. We showcased our surveillance and safety mechanisms, which significantly reassured them about security requirements right here.

It’s untimely to estimate the precise financial increase, however I can confidently say that the hospitality sector will see immense advantages, accommodations, public transport, and tourism companies will expertise a surge. Whereas this occasion is extra of a branding initiative than a direct income generator, the long-term impression can be substantial. With members from 140 international locations, the worldwide publicity will open doorways for future tourism and funding. We’re working with accommodations and logistical companions to make sure they current their greatest companies as they host an inflow of worldwide friends.

Usually, the Miss World Organisation operates on a 50-50 partnership mannequin with the host state. We’re nonetheless in discussions concerning the funding specifics, and finer particulars are being labored out.

We’ve communicated our issues in regards to the rising temperatures in Could. Nevertheless, the Miss World crew is agency on these dates as a result of their very own scheduling and industrial commitments. That stated, lots of the occasions can be televised in managed environments, and we’re discussing scheduling many of the outside actions within the evenings to mitigate warmth publicity. As soon as venues are finalised, Telangana Tourism will implement measures to make sure consolation for members and guests.

Completely. We’re inviting prime artisans from throughout the state to showcase our wealthy cultural heritage. We plan to arrange a devoted platform, presumably at Shilparamam amongst different areas, the place worldwide guests can witness a mega arts carnival that includes Telangana’s most interesting handicrafts, textiles, and artwork kinds.

Managing metropolis visitors is a collective effort. Fortuitously, Could is a month when instructional establishments are closed, and IT professionals usually have versatile work hours. We anticipate that these components will assist mitigate congestion. The State authorities is coordinating throughout departments to make sure easy transportation logistics all through the occasion.