Photo Caption: (L to R) Manmeet Singh, Chairman, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) – Punjab Chapter, Anmol Gagan Mann, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Government of Punjab, Rakhee Gupta Bhandari, Principal Secretary Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Government of Punjab and Jyoti Mayal, President, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) at the roadshow in New Delhi
The Punjab Government is set to host its inaugural Tourism Summit and Travel Mart from September 11 to 13 in Mohali, driven by the goal of promoting lesser known yet captivating tourist destinations within the state and attracting investments to boost the sector.
The forthcoming event aims to showcase Punjab’s rich heritage, traditions, artistic forms, and customs, leveraging trade engagement. As Punjab aspires to position itself as a premier tourist hotspot by 2030, a wide array of industry stakeholders including tour operators, destination management companies (DMCs), hotels, tourism boards, influencers, and travel trade media are expected to actively participate in this significant endeavour.
Punjab’s Minister for Tourism and Cultural Affairs Anmol Gagan Mann who was in New Delhi on August 26 as part of a roadshow organized to create awareness about the forthcoming tourism mart highlighted her government’s keenness to attract tourists beyond Amritsar and Wagah Border.
“Punjab has vast tourism experiences to offer from farm stays to scenic locations. We are working towards developing Pathankot as a popular adventure tourism destination. We are also developing conference and wedding venues to attract tourists in the state,” she shared.
Apart from New Delhi, roadshows were organized earlier this month in cities including Jaipur, Mumbai and Hyderabad to promote the tourism mart. The tourism mart is expected to attract 600 delegates including around 100 overseas tour operators.
Rakhee Gupta Bhandari, Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs while addressing media in New Delhi said, “Punjab is also seeking to establish itself as a hub for wellness with focus on yoga and meditation retreats. The government is also offering a range of incentives to private players who are keen to invest in tourism and hospitality markets in the state.”
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.