Overwhelmed with the tremendous response it has managed from trade partners from four key cities, the Punjab Government today said that the inaugural Punjab Tourism Summit and Travel Mart, scheduled to take place from September 11 to 13 in Mohali, Punjab, would be a grand affair that would catapult the state to the centre stage of Indian tourism.
The four-city roadshow for the inaugural Punjab Tourism Summit and Travel Mart culminated in Delhi on August 26, 2023, after successful editions in Jaipur (Aug 23), Mumbai (Aug 24), and Hyderabad (Aug 25). The roadshows were held to create awareness and anticipation for the summit by the Department of Tourism.
The roadshows highlighted the government’s tourism promotion endeavours as the landmark event from September 11-13 aims to put the spotlight on the state’s abundant heritage, traditions, art forms, and customs, positioning Punjab as a prime tourist destination. During the four-city roadshows the Department of Tourism showcased a series of strategic initiatives dedicated to fostering tourism growth and enriching the state’s cultural landscape.
Bringing down the curtains on the successful roadshow, Anmol Gagan Mann, Punjab’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, emphasised the government’s strong commitment to boost the state’s tourism with the inaugural Punjab Tourism Summit and Travel Mart will be a milestone event.
She stated, “We have received overwhelming support from trade partners and tourism bodies during our four-city roadshow for the inaugural Punjab Tourism Summit and Travel Mart. We are sure that the event in September would be a runaway success. Under the leadership of our Hon. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab Government is dedicated to enhancing tourism, creating opportunities for both inbound and domestic visitors. Our initiatives aim to elevate the state’s reputation with business-friendly policies and captivating tourist attractions.”
Mann provided insights into the thriving business environment, summarising special incentives in tourism and hospitality, while highlighting recent investment successes. She also highlighted Punjab Government’s endeavour towards positioning the state as the top destination for medical tourism in India.
“Medical tourism and cutting-edge dental facilities are set to flourish in Jalandhar, with a special emphasis on NRI dental tourism. The state’s vibrant dental tourism landscape is already well recognised across the diaspora. Our latest initiatives around the development of water and adventure parks aim to attract a larger audience to the state. Simultaneously, the development of picturesque farm stays and cottages in rural areas rich with scenic beauty will offer a charming respite.
The iconic Katarpur pilgrimage is poised for promotion, and an innovative state tourism app is on the horizon to provide comprehensive information about the state’s varied initiatives. Ms. Mann said that the Punjab Travel Mart will serve as a platform to attract forward-thinking tourism professionals from across the nation and beyond. Foreign and domestic tour operators, DMCs, DMOs, travel trade media, travel influencers, hotel operators, B&B and farm stay owners, tourism boards, and more are expected to participate. With this dynamic convergence of stakeholders, Punjab aspires to establish itself as a premier global tourist hotspot.
Amritsar, Roopnagar, Ludhiana, Patiala, and Fatehgarh Sahib have already captured the attention of foreign tourists. The Department of Tourism envisions catapulting Punjab to the forefront of Indian tourism, setting the stage to become a leading international tourist destination by 2030.
Acknowledging the government’s efforts, Rakhee Gupta Bhandari, IAS, Principal Secretary Tourism and Cultural Affairs, emphasised the significance of two key initiatives -wellness and women in tourism. Leveraging Punjab’s serene surroundings and rich cultural heritage, these two initiatives will attract wellness seekers and empower women in the tourism industry. Ms. Bhandari, “Punjab’s aspiration to become a wellness hub aligns seamlessly with its cultural heritage. Additionally, empowering women in tourism promises socio-economic growth. By fostering women’s participation and offering training and financial support, we aim to catalyse positive change.”
Punjab’s initiatives include Invest Punjab, a comprehensive investment promotion office, and fiscal incentives on tourism under the Industrial Policy 2022. The state’s focus areas for tourism development encompass adventure and water tourism, wellness tourism, medical tourism, and agri/eco-tourism, with an emphasis on rural home and farm stays. The synergy of these initiatives is expected to enrich the quality of life and livelihood of Punjab’s residents while elevating its stature in the global tourism landscape.
