Gujarat Tourism is going to soon introduce a new Tourism Policy, which is expected to address major issues related to the growth of tourism in the state. Gujarat Tourism had selected Tourism Finance Corporation of India (TFCI) as consultant to formulate the Tourism Policy, and the agency has already submitted the report to the state government.
Speaking with TravelBiz Monitor, Vipul Mittra, Secretary Tourism, Gujarat said that the new Policy will be ‘pro-active’ in the sense that it will address various issues like taxation, prohibition, fiscal incentives, land banking, etc.” Mittra added that the state government might consider easing the liquor permit system in the state through this Policy. The new Tourism Policy might also consider permitting hotels at select tourist destinations, especially beach resorts, to serve liquor to guests.
As part of promoting Rural and Heritage Tourism, Mittra said that the Rann of Kutch will be developed as an active Rural Tourism destination. The local community is being involved in setting up and running resorts with the help from local self-government of the area. “The state tourism is offering subsidies, manpower training and marketing assistance to these projects. One such resort has already become operational in the Rann,” said Mittra when asked about the role of state tourism in promoting these local initiatives.
Gujarat Tourism is also looking at Cruise Tourism. To this, Mittra mentioned said that the state tourism department in coordination with major port operators in the state will set up cruise ship landing facilities at major ports. He also informed that a lot of private cruise operators have approached the department showing interest to commence cruise operations from Gujarat coast. “We have 1,600 kms long coastline and some of the largest ports in the country. We are looking at this huge potential for Cruise Tourism,” added Mittra.
In the manpower development front, Mittra mentioned that the state tourism department has approached the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) for approval to commence three more state-level Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) in the state. The state tourism department has identified land for IHMs in Surat, Patna and Baroda.
In order to promote Gujarat as a tourism destination among domestic and international travellers, Gujarat Tourism also plans to launch ‘aggressive’ marketing campaigns as well. Mittra said the objective of the campaign will be to bring about a change in the travel behaviour among the people of Gujarat.
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