Gujarat Tourism has today won the “Hall of Fame” award for being the Best State/UT in Comprehensive Development of Tourism category at the National Tourism Awards function organised by Ministry of Tourism. Gujarat Tourism Minister Mr. Ganpatsinh Vasava received the award on behalf of the state from the Hon’ble President of India Mr.Ram Nath Kovind.
Gujarat was given the esteemed award because of its outstanding performance in the previous years where the state won several accolades in this category for consecutively three years.
Mr. Vasava, after receiving the award apprised that the State Government has given the status of tourism equal to Industries. Gujarat has been organising Navaratri Festival, Desert Festival, Kite Festival, etc. successfully since last so many years, due to which the inflow of tourists has increased 18 % and private investment to the tune of Rs. 8,000 crore has been being pumped into this sector. Gujarat has become a new destination for national and international tourists.
Gujarat has also started “Seema Darshan – Border Tourism” to attract the tourists to the border areas. It is also exploring the possibility of holding border ceremony in line with the one being held at Wagha in Punjab. Everyday hundreds of tourists visit the “Nadabet Place” in Sui village of Banaskantha district which is at the Pakistan border for Seema Darshan– Border Tourism.
The state has been rapidly developing its tourism sector and has started many new initiatives to attract tourists from across the world. In the year 2016-17 approximately 4.5 Crore tourists visited Gujarat. To promote women entrepreneurs in the tourism sector, the State Government has taken numerous steps.
The State Government is focusing on new innovations, ideas and initiatives to make Gujarat a wonderful tourist destination. At the same time it also aims to create sustainable livelihoods through skill development in the tourism sector.
Mr. S J Haider Principal Secretary Tourism and Mr. Jenu Devan Managing Director, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TCGL), were also present during the occasion.
