Madhya Pradesh carves out special identity in tourism sector
Bhopal: Tourism Minister Shri Tukojirao Puar has said that Madhya Pradesh has carved out its special identity in the tourism sector in India and abroad by carrying out outstanding works in the tourism sector. He said that Madhya Pradesh does not lag behind any other state from tourism point of view. Concrete efforts have been ensured to promote tourism and make available effective services, Shri Puar was addressing a World Tourism Day function here today. Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Vice-Chairman Shri Santosh Jain was also present on the occasion.
Shri Puar said that planned efforts are being ensured to make Madhya Pradesh a pioneer state in tourism sector. Work towards extension of facilities to tourists in every kind of tourism is being undertaken under a well conceived policy. Referring to the state’s unmatched beauty and tourist destinations, the Tourism Minister said that other states’ tourists are getting attracted towards Madhya Pradesh’s tourist destinations. He said that the state has won several awards in tourism leaving other states behind. Shri Puar said that Madhya Pradesh has established its unique identity as a main tourism destination at the national level. He said that now tourists are also giving preference to Madhya Pradesh along with other states.
The Tourism Minister said that infrastructure and tourism facilities are being developed in Madhya Pradesh. Special attention has been paid to air connectivity and road transport. Shri Puar said that wide publicity is also being undertaken at the national and international levels. He said that number of tourists in the state has increased. Shri Puar informed that after Bhopal, Hospitality Training Centre is also being established at Jabalpur and Indore to ensure effective and qualitative services to tourists. The Tourism Minister informed that 20 more buses are being started for new tourism destinations from this year. He informed that about Rs. 50 crore will be spent on development of tourism infrastructure and facilities in the state.
While extending World Tourism Day greetings, Vice-Chairman Shri Santosh Jain said that Madhya Pradesh has entered the list of developed states from tourism point of view.
Principal Secretary Tourism Shri S.P.S. Parihar said that every possible effort is being made to promote tourism in the state. He said that for this, adventure & water sports and religious tourism will be promoted, facilities will be increased at places of historic and archaeological importance and budget hotels will be promoted. Referring to amendments in the state’s tourism policy, Shri Parihar said that tourism has been accorded industry status. The policy also aims at converting private buildings into heritage hotels under Heritage Hotels Subsidy scheme. He said that investors have evinced keen interest for investment in Madhya Pradesh during road shows held in Mumbai and Delhi.
Managing Director Shri Raghavendra Singh said that three notions – awareness, infrastructure and marketing – are being followed to promote tourism in the state.
Executive Council’s Member Hotel & Restaurant Shri Sunit Kothari and Adventure Tour & Travels president Shri Tejvinder Singh also expressed their views. Lauding the State Government’s steps to promote tourism, they welcomed the decision to accord industry status to tourism. They also praised Caravan Tourism, air-connectivity, mobile-guide, tourism policy, TV channel and publication of brochures in various languages. They said that other states are going to replicate Madhya Pradesh’s tourism policy.
