Guj keen on having more Goan visitors

Gujarat Tourism meets travel agents in Goa

THE GOAN NETWORK

PANAJI

Officials of Gujarat Tourism met travel agents and spread word about the State's potential as a tourism destination.

When asked how Gujarat and Goa could work together in this sector, N Srivastava, commissioner of tourism, Gujarat, replied, “We have a 1600-kilometre long coastline which can be harnessed for water sports. Goa already has water sports well established on its beaches. I think both the states can collaborate in this sector.”

Stressing on how much work Gujarat government has done in promoting tourism, Kamlesh Patel, chairman, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat, said, “The annual budget of Gujarat Tourism was just Rs 40-50 crore in 2005 when the state government started focusing on tourism. As of now, the annual budget is to the tune of Rs 700 crore.”

Such massive spending has had a tremendous impact too as Patel continued, “In 2005-06, only 60 lakh tourists visited Gujarat. As of now, around 3.3 crore tourists visit Gujarat annually.”

Gujarat’s potential in tourism is huge as it is a very diverse state with a long coastline, religious city like Dwarka, a wildlife sanctuary like Gir, and a number of festivals like The Rann Utsav and The International Kite Festival.

Giving a perspective behind state government’s tourism focus, Srivastava said, “We realise that there is huge employment potential in tourism. Gujarat already has made huge strides in industry and agriculture. But tourism is of special importance as it generates a lot of jobs.”

The purpose of meeting tour agents in Goa was also to educate them about Gujarat’s potential so that they can in turn inform Goans and also foreign travellers in the state, who are willing to travel to Gujarat.

The issue of environment is very crucial for tourism development in Goa. When asked on this, Srivastava replied, “Environment shouldn’t be disturbed to promote tourism because people come to Goa for its natural environment.”