The Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister, Punjab, Navjot Singh Sidhu today held a marathon meeting with the experts to chalk out an action plan for putting Punjab on global tourism map. The meeting saw discussions take place regarding identifying religious, cultural, historical and royal destinations in the State and transform these into centers of tourist attraction. The issue of formulating a comprehensive tourism policy was also debated upon at length.In a statement after the meeting, the minister said that the Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh visualizes Punjab as numero uno state in terms of tourism which is why the department has been allotted a separate amount for the first time in the budget this year. The minister said that the department is now actively working in the direction of framing a tourism policy which would be announced soon. He also revealed that before finalizing the policy, a meeting would be held with the Chief Minister in which Mr. S.K. Mishra, Mr. K.M. Srivastava, Mr. Vinod Zutshi, Romi Chopra and Mrs. Anita Lall would be specially invited. He said that Punjab holds immense potential in terms of tourism keeping in view the numerous historical, religious and heritage spots which need to be further developed for making them attractive to the tourists.Mr. Sidhu further elaborated that the department is in the process of forming various tourist circuits including Religious, Maharaja, Mughal and Sufi for the facilitation of the tourists.
He also outlined his vision for developing Amritsar into an epicenter of tourism. The minister also said that there are numerous tourist complexes in the state which could be renovated to turn them into fascinating places.Mr. Sidhu also divulged that the meeting also saw brainstorming debates and exchange of views pertaining to the beautification of the tourist places in the state after their identification, launching of a specialized campaign to inspire the tourists to visit these places and making top notch arrangements for the stay of tourists at these places and grant of other facilities. Disclosing more, he said that the main purpose behind forming separate circuit for every tourist is to enable the tourist to select a circuit of his/her choice and visit the spots included in it.The minister on the occasion instructed the departmental officials present to compile all the suggestions received and make them a part of the policy. He also expressed confidence that the harnessing the tourism potential would give a huge boost to the economy of the state thus generating scores of employment avenues for the youth. Among others present in the meeting included the Advisor of the department Dr. Amar Singh, Principal Secretary Mr. Jaspal Singh, Director Mr. Shivdular Singh Dhillon, Chief Executive Officer of the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board Mrs. Pratima Srivastava, Chief General Manager Col. Sandeep Singh Bajwa, Project Co-ordinator Mr. S.P. Singh Dhindsa and Manager Project Alka Kapoor.