Jenu Devan, the Managing Director and Commissioner of Gujarat Tourism spoke about the recently launched border tourism and his plan to start the international Buddhist circuit, Dandi heritage zone and a solar energy village Mr. Devan said that they are promoting Gujarat in a big way with upgradation of existing facilities and introduction of new tourism concepts. Big museums, exhibitions and other basic amenities for tourists are in the pipeline. As a state, Gujarat has almost everything to offer to tourists, including the coastline, Gir forest, Mahatma Gandhi’s presence, Buddha circuit and so on. There also festivals to entertain visitors which include the Rann of Kutch jamboree, Navratri and the international kite-flying festivals. Such attractions are bringing in a lot of domestic and foreign tourists.
Last year, Gujarat saw around 4.5 crore travellers, an increase by 17 per cent from the past two years. Out of them, 98 per cent were domestic tourists and two per cent were foreign tourists. Gujarat is also focusing on adventure tourism. Although there is forest safari within the sanctuaries, and there are paragliding and mountaineering expeditions, guidelines would soon come up for better supervision and safety.
Border tourism concept from 16th December in Nadabet in Banas Kantha district has picked up really well. As part of the package, tourists are taken to the Pakistan boundary to get a look and feel of the place. An exhibition center there showcases the way BSF patrol guards live there. By sunset, the tourists are taken back to the BSF camp and they get to see the beating retreat ceremony. The only difference between Wagah Border and Nadabet Border is that the latter is one-sided.
Mr. Devan also said that they are planning to come up with a big Buddhist complex that will house 150 m-high statues of the Buddha and host exhibitions showcasing Buddhist sites, culture and tradition.
Tags: gujarat tourism
