IEP Mumbai/Chandigarh, August 24
Under the visionary guidance of Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Ms. Anmol Gagan Maan, the Department of Tourism Punjab has successfully organized a vibrant and captivating road show in the bustling city of Mumbai today. This event marks the second stop in a four-city road show series that commenced from Jaipur (Rajasthan) on August 23. The road show will continue its journey to Hyderabad on August 25 and will culminate in the capital city of Delhi on August 26.
The Chief Guest Ms. Anmol Gagan Maan, while addressing the gathering with fervour and enthusiasm, unveiled the state’s groundbreaking initiative, the ‘Punjab Tourism Summit and Travel Mart’, scheduled to take place in Mohali from September 11 to 13, 2023. This summit aims to spotlight Punjab’s rich heritage, diverse culture and captivating tourism offerings. To introduce this exciting event to the nation, the Punjab State Tourism Board has embarked on a nationwide road show campaign, she added.
She informed that this grand event will witness participation from a myriad of stakeholders, including foreign and domestic tour operators, destination management companies, travel trade media, influential travel personalities, hotel operators, bed-and-breakfast hosts, farm stay proprietors and tourism boards among others.
Ms. Maan emphasized that Punjab boasts enormous tourism potential, grounded in its opulent heritage, traditional art forms and unique customs. Notably, the cities of Amritsar, Rupnagar, Ludhiana, Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib have emerged as top attractions for international tourists. She said that the Department of Tourism is steadfastly dedicated to propelling Punjab to the forefront of Indian tourism with the goal of becoming a premier international tourist destination by 2030.
Ms. Maan extended a heartfelt invitation to the stalwarts of the tourism industry to invest in Punjab, a land brimming with tourism opportunities, besides extending a warm invitation to the film industry in Mumbai, highlighting Punjab’s picturesque locations often referred to as ‘Mini Goa’ and its potential as a sought-after film shooting destination. To facilitate this, Invest Punjab has streamlined the permission process ensuring approvals within a swift 15-day timeframe, she added.
The Tourism Minister said that the Punjab Travel Mart aims to convene forward-thinking tourism professionals from across the nation, further cementing Punjab’s status as a top tourist destination. She commended the unwavering efforts of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann in promoting tourism within the state with a vision to boost international and domestic footfall.
With two international border locations, Ms. Anmol Gagan Maan said that the state has a wealth of circuits of spiritual luminaries and freedom fighters, thus the state becomes the treasure trove of possibilities for tourists.
Ms. Anmol Gagan Maan revealed Punjab Tourism’s forthcoming focus on adventure and water tourism, wellness tourism, agri and eco-tourism with a strong emphasis on the development of rural home and farm stays. She said that the government is dedicated to enhancing the role of women in tourism, championing their empowerment and thereby elevating their quality of life and livelihood.
Ms. Rakhee Gupta Bhandari, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Cultural Affairs, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour, further underscoring the government’s commitment to the tourism sector.
