Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday gave the nod to organise a series of cultural festivals across the state for emerging state as a world class tourist destination by showcasing the rich culture, art and legacy of the state. A decision to this effect was taken by the Chief Minister, while chairing a meeting of the Tourism department, here at his office in Punjab Civil Secretariat-I.
Taking part in deliberations, the Chief Minister said that the move is aimed at enhancing tourist visits in the state and establishing it as a world-class destination in coming years. He said that these cultural events will give a major fillip to the tourism sector in the state and will emerge Punjab prominently on the world tourist map.
Bhagwant Mann said that besides giving impetus to tourists in the state, this move will also act as a catalyst in making the younger generations abreast of the rich heritage of the state. The Chief Minister said that the sacred land of Punjab has huge potential of attracting the tourists due to its age old history and rich cultural heritage.
However, he bemoaned that due to negligence of the successive state governments the vast potential of the state in the tourism sector has hitherto remained untapped. Bhagwant Mann asked the Tourism department to prepare a complete table for organizing these cultural festivals regularly so that it emerges as a mass event.
The Chief Minister said that these cultural events should be organized in every nook and corner of the state and maximum public participation should be elicited in it. Bhagwant Mann envisioned that it will help in attracting high value tourism through responsible and sustainable development of sensitive tourism resources.
He said that there is a huge potential for developing the state as a world class tourist destination for which concerted efforts are being made by the Punjab government. The Chief Minister said that the untapped potential of tourism in the state will get a major push through these cultural festivals adding he asked the Tourism department to prepare a detailed blueprint for organizing these cultural festivals so that a major fillip can be given to the tourism sector in the state.
Bhagwant Mann said that this is the need of hour for promotion of economic activity in the state thereby transforming the lives of people. He asked the officers to meticulously plan the table for organizing these cultural festivals at mass level thereby perpetuating the glorious legacy of the state amongst the coming generations.