She said that the Punjab Tourism Summit and Travel Mart, which is scheduled to take place from 11th to 13th September, 2023 at the Amity Campus of SAS Nagar Mohali, is poised to be a significant gathering of tourism stakeholders and investors from across the country. This event will offer a unique platform to showcase the abundant tourism potential that Punjab has to offer, she categorically added.
Minister Anmol Gagan Maan stated, “We have extended invitations to tourism stakeholders and investors from all corners of India to participate in this summit. It will be a dynamic showcase of Punjab’s tourism opportunities.”
The Tourism and Culture Affairs Minister informed that the state government is in process to launch a dedicated mobile application, aiming at facilitating seamless communication between investors and tour operators. She said that this app will serve as a one-stop platform for those looking to invest in our state’s tourism potential and for tour operators seeking to offer unique experiences to travelers.
The summit will kick off on the 11th of September, followed by the Punjab Travel Mart from the 11th to the 13th of September 2023. Apart from this, Familiarization (FAM) trips are scheduled from the 13th of September 2023, encompassing Sri Amritsar Sahib, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Kapurthala and Pathankot.
Minister Anmol Gagan Maan also highlighted remarkable initiatives undertaken by the government to bolster tourism in Punjab, including the sanctioning of projects worth Rs.91.55 Crores under the Heritage Circuit Theme of Swadesh Darshan Scheme. An impressive amount of Rs. 67.00 Crores has already been released for these projects, expected to be completed by December 2023.
In a bid to streamline processes, Ms. Anmol Gagan Maan said that the state government has introduced online registration for three schemes such as Farm Stay, Bed and Breakfast Homestay and Tented Accommodation and Camping Sites, reducing compliance burdens for citizens and businesses. She said that currently, 56 Farm House Properties, 84 Bed & Breakfast Units, and 7 Tented Accommodation units have been registered with the department.
She said that the government has already allocated resources for hosting various festivals and events, such as the 6th Military Literature Festival, commemorating the 50th anniversary of District Faridkot and signing an MOU with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations to promote the state’s art and culture.
Looking ahead, Ms. Anmol Gagan Maan unveiled upcoming initiatives for 2023-24, including a focus on Border Tourism, the upgrade of the Anglo-Sikh War Museum, the enhancement of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Street and the launch of Wellness Tourism and Culture Policies