State govt all set to boost tourism

GS PAUL

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 27

To boost tourism, the state government is taking cues from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), which has its presence in 157 countries.

The Punjab Tourism and Culture Affairs Department has identified religious, historical, and heritage tourism circuits.

Principal Secretary Jaspal Singh said a comprehensive strategy was being chalked out to showcase the rich heritage of the state to the world. “Under the UNWTO guidance, many activities have been planned. To strengthen branding and marketing of tourist destinations, we will rope in tour operators and local taxi operators. We are updating our website and distributing literature among tourists to guide them,” he said.

The Amritsar-Ram Tirath-Sarai Amanat Khan-Wagha Border tourist circuit has been identified in the Majha region. After the Golden Temple and Attari-Wagah Retreat ceremony, the Tourism Department endeavours that other destinations in Amritsar, such as Durgiana Mandir, Jallianwala Bagh, Company Bagh and recently refurbished Gobindgarh Fort should be included in the visitors’ itinerary. Sarai Amanat Khan, 46 km from here, has also been shortlisted by the department.

“Tourists seldom stay in Amritsar due to lack of facilities and guidance. We want tourists to stay here and that too for a considerable period,” the Principal Secretary said.

Tourism Director Shiv Dular Singh Dhillon viewed that the journey could be extended to Dera Baba Nanak-Qadian-Kala Naur-Gurdaspur-Pathankot.

“Dera Baba Nanak is the Mecca for the Sikhs, since Guru Nanak Dev had spent his last days in the quietude of this quaint village,” he said.

In Malwa, the circuit is like Ludhiana-Moga-Ferozepur-Bathinda-Muktsar-Faridkot. At the centre of the region is Bathinda where some of the historical and religious destinations such as Damdama Sahib, Qila Mubarak and forts in Faridkot could catch the fancy of visitors.

Another tourist circuit is Patiala-Nabha-Malerkotla-Ludhiana-Fatehgarh Sahib. The department aims at popularising tourist attractions in Patiala such as Qila Mubarak Complex, Rang Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Moti Bagh Palace, Darbar Hall (Divan Khana), Baradari Gardens, Qila Bahadurgarh, Panj Bali Gurdwara, Maiji Di Sarai etc.