AHMEDABAD: Encouraged by the increasing number of tourists to Gujarat,
the state government now plans to focus on the state's 1,600 km
coastline in order to promote maritime, coastal and eco tourism.
State tourism and health minister Jay Narayan Vyas spoke about tourism potential of these initiatives at the International Conference on Sustainable Tourism organized jointly by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FIand) the Gujarat Tourism.
While inaugurating the conference, Vyas said that Gujarat accounts for nearly 25 per cent of the cargo movement from ports in the country and if private ports are also taken into consideration, the cargo movement would be as high as 80 per cent.
He said that with several big and small ports in the state, people coming here for business can be lured to stay back and given details of the sightseeing places around the areas. This would help the local to earn money.
Citing example of Ambaji, he said that people use to go to the temple town and return back the same day, but when the adventure sports started, people preferred to stay back. "This is helping the local earn money," he said.
He said that sustainable development of tourism must take into account preservation of nature and environment, only then future generations would benefit from it.
Vyas further said that by 2025, the growth of tourism and employment generation in this field will leave the traditional agriculture sector far behind.
Vyas stressed on medical tourism and said that Gujarat was getting recognition in his field globally. Giving details of the medical tourism in Gujarat, he said that one third of the medicines of the country are produced in Gujarat. Gujarat tops in blood donation and Ahmedabad has a leading position in this. Ahmedabad is fifth in the world. "Here people get world-class medical treatment for renal and other problems at a cost much lower than that in developed countries," the minister said.
Principal secretary, tourism Vipul Mitra said making Amitabh Bachchan brand ambassador proved to be the turning point for state tourism. After Big B became the brand ambassador, there has been tremendous increase in tourism business as well as number of tourists. Rising number of tourists has posed many new challenges which need to be attended.
Prominent speakers like Justin Francis of responsibletravel.com; Valere Tjolle of Vision Travel Mole; Jeremy Smith, travel writer and communications expert; Hanneli Slabber, India country manager for South Africa tourism; Param Kannampilly of Concept Hospitality; and Gopinath Parayil of The Blue Yonder were among others who took part in the discussion.
The conference has been organized as part of the run up to Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor's Summit 2013.
Courtesy : timesofindia.indiatimes.com
State tourism and health minister Jay Narayan Vyas spoke about tourism potential of these initiatives at the International Conference on Sustainable Tourism organized jointly by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FIand) the Gujarat Tourism.
While inaugurating the conference, Vyas said that Gujarat accounts for nearly 25 per cent of the cargo movement from ports in the country and if private ports are also taken into consideration, the cargo movement would be as high as 80 per cent.
He said that with several big and small ports in the state, people coming here for business can be lured to stay back and given details of the sightseeing places around the areas. This would help the local to earn money.
Citing example of Ambaji, he said that people use to go to the temple town and return back the same day, but when the adventure sports started, people preferred to stay back. "This is helping the local earn money," he said.
He said that sustainable development of tourism must take into account preservation of nature and environment, only then future generations would benefit from it.
Vyas further said that by 2025, the growth of tourism and employment generation in this field will leave the traditional agriculture sector far behind.
Vyas stressed on medical tourism and said that Gujarat was getting recognition in his field globally. Giving details of the medical tourism in Gujarat, he said that one third of the medicines of the country are produced in Gujarat. Gujarat tops in blood donation and Ahmedabad has a leading position in this. Ahmedabad is fifth in the world. "Here people get world-class medical treatment for renal and other problems at a cost much lower than that in developed countries," the minister said.
Principal secretary, tourism Vipul Mitra said making Amitabh Bachchan brand ambassador proved to be the turning point for state tourism. After Big B became the brand ambassador, there has been tremendous increase in tourism business as well as number of tourists. Rising number of tourists has posed many new challenges which need to be attended.
Prominent speakers like Justin Francis of responsibletravel.com; Valere Tjolle of Vision Travel Mole; Jeremy Smith, travel writer and communications expert; Hanneli Slabber, India country manager for South Africa tourism; Param Kannampilly of Concept Hospitality; and Gopinath Parayil of The Blue Yonder were among others who took part in the discussion.
The conference has been organized as part of the run up to Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor's Summit 2013.
Courtesy : timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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