Gujarat tourism to get Rs 3,000 crore of investment in 5 years

Gujarat is surely attaining an identity of a prominent tourist destination and this has given a major boost to the employment in the hospitality sector. The state tourism sector has got the status of an industry and as a result investors from 50 countries have shown interest for investing Rs 3,000 crore in coming five years.

Many investors have shown interest in setting up hotels, resorts, theme parks in 18 districts of the state and the government is expected to sign MOUs worth Rs1,500 crore in this regard during the conclave. Gujarat aims to double its share in national tourism industry. Currently, the state attracts 2.4 per cent of the foreign visitors and the aim is to take the figure to at least five per cent by 2025.

The Government of Gujarat and Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited in association with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) organised Vibrant Gujarat International Travel Mart (VGITM), a Global Travel Exposition in Ahmedabad. Delegates from more than 50 countries and 20 Indian states participated in the International Travel Mart.

The Mart was inaugurated by  Chief Minister Anandiben Patel. Gujarat is now being recognised in the tourism map and private players are showing stupendous response in developing this industry where over 120 global tour promoters were present at the Travel Mart. The government expects investments worth Rs 3, 000 crore. To facilitate the foreign travellers who wish to explore India, the government have provided e-tourist visa to 130 countries. As a result, the number of foreign tourists has increased. 

Medical tourism has also increased through e-medical visa. The number of travellers coming to Gujarat law and order is in place state is witnessing peace and harmony across the sections of society.  The state is already organising various festivals including Rann Utsav, Saputara Monsoon festival, Navratri festival, Heritage festival, Bird Watcher conference, Uttarayan: International Kite Festival, Tarnetar fair, Mango festival, Beach festival to attract tourists. 

The event, organised by Gujarat government has brought together 225 tour operators, hoteliers, airlines, destination management organisation, medical service providers and IT companies associated with the tourism industry. The focal point of the event has been the buyer-seller interactions, business to business meetings and travel exposition. The exposition was designed to facilitate business interactions among travel professionals from Gujarat and across the world, thereby unleashing significant business opportunities between Gujarat-based travel fraternity and international travel trade. 

The focal components of the event was the buyer-seller meet, B2B meetings and the travel exposition. With participation of travel professionals from states other than Gujarat, VGITM, as the Global Travel Exposition, they strive to reinforce the thrust provided by the successful "Incredible India" campaign of the Ministry of Tourism, Union Government. 

The objective of Gujarat Tourism is to promote Gujarat as the world-class tourist destination, and offer opportunity to travel & tour operators to interact with foreign buyers, retail buyers, exhibitors, policy makers, investors.