Bhopal:Saturday, September 6, 2008:Minister of State for Tourism, Sports and Youth Welfare (Independent charge) Shri Tukojirao Puar has said that several experiments have been undertaken with a view to promoting tourism in Madhya Pradesh and significantly, these experiments have met with success.
He said that religious, historic and natural sites are being developed as tourist destinations so that more and more national and international tourists could be attracted towards the state. Shri Puar was addressing a three-day workshop organised by World Travel and Tourism Council at Khajuraho yesterday. Union Minister of State for Tourism Smt. Kanti Singh, local MP Dr. Ramkrishna Kusmaria and managing director of Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Shri Ashwini Lohani were also present on the occasion.
Shri Puar said that Madhya Pradesh Tourism Policy was formulated in the year 2004. He added that amendments to this policy can be made, if need be. Tourism potential in the state is being increased by dividing Madhya Pradesh into various tourism sectors. Special attention is being given to developing Panna, Chitrakoot, Khajuraho and Orchha as tourist destinations. He said that as per tourists’ inclinations and choice, tourist places are being developed for religious, historic and natural tourism so that both national and international tourists could be attracted. Thirty-seven places have been selected to be developed for tourism development.
Shri Puar said that an investors meet was held at Bhopal with a view to promoting tourism industry. The state government has been undertaking efforts to rope in national and international investors. He said that the Union government had sanctioned Rs four crore for development of global tourist destination Khajuraho. Development of Khajuraho and Pandav Fall is being ensured utilising these funds. Training programmes have also been organised with a view to promoting tourism in the state. Minster of State Shri Puar said that Sanchi has won Best Tourism Award while Pench National Park has also bagged a national level award apart from various tourism-cum-archaeological sites in Madhya Pradesh.
In her address, Union Minister of State for Tourism Smt. Kanti Singh said that India holds out unlimited tourism potential. Madhya Pradesh has also several natural, cultural and archaeological sites of tourists’ interest. The government is undertaking efforts to give fillip to rural tourism. For this purpose, new tourism sites are being identified and developed. Sanction has also been given for establishment of big hotels including Three-Star ones to facilitate tourists.
Earlier, Minister of State Shri Puar and Union Minister of State for Tourism Smt. Kanti Singh lighted a lamp to inaugurate the workshop. The postal cover printed by government of India for promoting tourism was released by Chief Post Master General Sushri Kalpana Tiwari. The three-day workshop will conclude on September 7. Well-known personalities of tourism, transport business and various other sectors were present on the occasion.
Tourism facility-cum-information centre dedicated to people
In a separate function, Minister of State for Tourism, Sports and Youth Welfare Shri Tukojirao Puar inaugurated a Tourism facility-cum-information centre at Khajuraho yesterday amidst chanting of Vedic hymns. Tourists will get all kinds of facilities under one roof at this R 68 lakh centre. Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation managing director Shri Ashwini Lohani was also present.