New Delhi, August 18, 2019: Chief Minister Shri Vijay Rupani says Gujarat has emerged as a destination of choice for tourists, urges ADTOI to contribute to further growth of tourism in the state.
Ahmedabad, August 16: The 9th Annual Convention-cum-Exhibition of the Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), the national body of Domestic Tour Operators, began in Ahmedabad on Friday.
Around 400-450 delegates, comprising government dignitaries, ADTOI members, hoteliers, and invitees from tourism industry are participating in the Convention, which was inaugurated by Minister of State for Tourism Shri Vasanbhai Ahir along with the home minister hon’ble Shri Pradeepsingh Jadeja on Friday evening. Our hon’ble prime minister Shri Narendra Modi in his Independence day speech emphasis on domestic tourism to be a priority for every citizen. The state tourism department is actively looking forward to attract more tourist. Officials and the tourist operators have found out various opportunities to tap in terms of border tourism, spiritual tourism, health tourism and sports tourism. The border tourism is getting more popular and through it, people can learn how our Border Security Force works as well it develops the patriotism feeling among the children.
Addressing the gathering through video conferencing, Chief Minister Shri Vijay Rupani, said, “I welcome you all to the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Gujarat is truly blessed with diverse arts and handicrafts, rich heritage, and several pilgrimage sites, and has become a destination of choice for tourists from across India and the world. I invite you all to contribute to the further growth of tourism in the state.”
“Friends, the whole country is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. I urge you all to show the 101-year-old Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gandhi Museum in Gandhinagar, and Gandhi Memorial in Dandi. Gujarat is also home to the world’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity, which stands testimony to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s contribution in uniting the country. Lakhs of people have visited the Statue of Unity so far, and I request you all to visit it too,” Shri Rupani added.
Hon’ble home minister Shri Pradeepsingh Jadeja who quoted “From security point of view, Gujarat has been a favourite destination among the tourist. Gujarat has the rich cultural heritage , art and cultural legacy as well beach and desert tourist spots”.
In his address, Shri Ahir said, “Tourism has the potential to create maximum employment opportunities. A live example of this is the impact of Kutch Rannotsav around the White Rann. No other economic activity is possible in the area, but Kutch Rannotsav has created new means of livelihood generation and opened doors for economic development of the people,” Shri Ahir said on the occasion.
Smt Aashima Mehrotra, Director, Ministry of Tourism, said, “From heritage and religious sites, to architectural wonders and coastal areas, Gujarat has everything to offer to tourists. The Tourism Ministry has selected Somnath and Dholavira as Iconic Sites, and a Master Plan is being prepared for their development. Other tourist sites in Gujarat have been selected under the ‘Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchan’ scheme. I am sure that the day when Gujarat becomes an example for other states to follow is not far.”
Official figures show a sharp rise in tourist footfalls in Gujarat in the last few years. Tourism Corporation of Gujarat data shows that the number of tourists in the state went up from 3.26 crores in 2014-15 to 5.50 crores in 2018-19. The number of tourist arrivals has been growing in the range of 14-15% year-on-year.
Shri SJ Haider, Principal Secretary, Tourism Department, said, “Tourism offers tremendous potential for livelihood generation, and has a powerful socio-economic impact. The Gujarat government is very keen to promote tourism. In just one year, two iconic monuments have been dedicated in Gujarat by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi – The Statue of Unity at Narmada and the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial at Dandi. Both are attracting a large number of tourists.”
Jenu Devan, Managing Director, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited, said, “An analysis of data of tourists visiting Gujarat showed that the number of tourists visiting major destinations is very high but many places which have plenty of potential, especially in Eastern belt and coastal areas, are not fully explored by tourists within India, and to some extent even by Gujaratis. We will work closely with tour operators to promote tourism to such destinations.”
Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)
