PUNJAB TOURISM SUMMIT AND TRAVEL MART TO EXHIBIT STATE’S RICH HERITAGE AND FOSTER TOURISM GROWTH: ANMOL GAGAN MAAN
The Voice of Chandigarh | Travel Trade Reporter :
The Punjab Government has announced the inaugural Punjab Tourism Summit and Travel Mart, scheduled to take place from September 11 to 13, 2023 in Mohali.
To create awareness and anticipation for the summit, the Punjab Tourism Department has embarked on a series of roadshows across India. The first roadshow was inaugurated in Jaipur on August 23, followed by an event in Mumbai, on August 24, highlighting the government’s tourism promotion endeavours. After that the Hyderabad event held , while the last roadshow of the series is scheduled in Delhi on August 26.
During the inaugural event, Ms. Anmol Gagan Maan, Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister emphasized government’s strong commitment to boosting tourism within the state. She stated, “The Punjab Government is dedicated to enhancing tourism, creating opportunities for both inbound and domestic visitors. Our initiatives aim to elevate the state’s reputation with business-friendly policies and captivating attractions.” She also provided insights into the thriving business environment, summarizing special incentives in tourism and hospitality, while highlighting recent investment successes.
She said that the Punjab Tourism Summit will put spotlight on the state’s abundant heritage, traditions, art forms and customs, positioning Punjab as a prime tourist destination. Through a series of strategic initiatives, Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led state government is dedicated to fostering tourism growth and enriching the state’s cultural landscape.
Ms. Anmol Gagan Maan said that the Punjab Travel Mart will serve as a platform to attract forward-thinking tourism professionals from across the nation and beyond. Foreign and domestic tour operators, DMCs, DMOs, travel trade media, travel influencers, hotel operators, B&B and farm stay owners, tourism boards, and more are expected to participate. With this dynamic convergence of stakeholders, Punjab aspires to establish itself as a premier global tourist hotspot.
She mentioned that Amritsar, Roopnagar, Ludhiana, Patiala, and Fatehgarh Sahib have already captured the attention of foreign tourists. The Department of Tourism envisions catapulting Punjab to the forefront of Indian tourism, setting the stage to become a leading international tourist destination by 2030.
In furtherance of Punjab’s comprehensive tourism vision, Ms. Maan also shared the government’s initiatives. Medical tourism and cutting-edge dental facilities are set to flourish in Jalandhar, with a special emphasis on NRI dental tourism, said the Cabinet Minister, adding that Punjab’s existing vibrant dental tourism landscape is already well recognised. The strategic development of water and adventure parks aim to attract a larger audience to the state. Simultaneously, the development of picturesque farm stays and cottages in rural areas rich with scenic beauty will offer a charming respite. The iconic Katarpur pilgrimage is poised for promotion, and an innovative state tourism app is on the horizon to provide comprehensive information about the state’s varied initiatives. Ms. Anmol Gagan Maan also highlighted the driving force of young ministers within the government, their genuine passion for the state and their recognition of Punjab’s immense potential to carve a prominent niche on the global tourism map.
Acknowledging the efforts of the government, Ms. Rakhee Gupta Bhandari, Principal Secretary Tourism and Cultural Affairs emphasized the significance of two key initiatives wellness and women in tourism. These initiatives seek to leverage Punjab’s serene surroundings and rich cultural heritage to attract wellness seekers and empower women in the tourism industry. She added, “Punjab’s aspiration to become a wellness hub aligns seamlessly with its cultural heritage. Additionally, empowering women in tourism promises socio-economic growth. By fostering women’s participation and offering training and financial support, we aim to catalyze positive change”
Punjab’s initiatives include Invest Punjab, a comprehensive investment promotion office, and fiscal incentives on tourism under the Industrial Policy 2022. The state’s focus areas for tourism development encompass adventure and water tourism, wellness tourism, medical tourism, and agri/eco-tourism, with an emphasis on rural home and farm stays. The synergy of these initiatives is expected to enrich the quality of life and livelihood of Punjab’s residents while elevating its stature in the global tourism landscape.
