TBM Staff - Mumbai The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India organise a roadshow in Mumbai with the aim of raising awareness among stakeholders in the Travel and Tourism Industry about the upcoming first Global Tourism Investors’ Summit. The roadshow was chaired by G. Kishan Reddy, Minister for Tourism, Culture and DoNER, along with Rakesh Kumar Verma, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism.
Addressing the gathering, Reddy said, “Considering the plethora of experiences the Indian tourism industry offers, such as wellness tourism, adventure tourism, eco-tourism, rural tourism, spiritual tourism and several others, both the State and Central Governments recognise the role that tourism can play in driving economic growth. Therefore, private investment, particularly in hotels and other tourism-related infrastructure, is critical.” GoI will work together with the states and private sector for the flourishment of tourism sector, he said. In this context, Reddy stated that a draft of comprehensive National Tourism Policy has been worked out and is pending cabinet’s approval. While drafting the policy, the Union Government has consulted the states and union territories and different ministries also, with a ‘whole of government’ approach, he added. He further stated that it has been decided to keep the ASI footfall monuments open for tourists till 9 PM.
Speaking on the North Eastern region of the country, Reddy said that the region has immense potential on the tourism front. “The region can compete with many reputed destinations in the world. The GOI is doing everything possible in this direction,” he said.
Reddy also highlighted the Vibrant Villages scheme in his speech. He said that more than INR 4000 crore is being spent to develop infrastructrure for adventure tourism in border villages.
The tourism minister also made it very clear that the Government alone cannot take tourism industry ahead, unless private investors come forward.
The roadshow had a wide representation from the Ministry of Tourism as it attracted the participation of eminent industry leaders from the world of travel, tourism, and hospitality. Prominent industry leaders including Vishal Kamat, Co-Chair, CII WR Sub Committee on Tourism and Hospitality, Anuraag Bhatnagar, CEO, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, Cdr Nevil Malao, VSM (Retd), Vice President Head – Cruise & Navy Cell, J. M. Baxi & Co., Dhimant Bakshi, CEO, Imagica, Santhosh Kutty, CEO – Hotels, Mahindra Hotels and Resorts graced the event with their presence.
Dignitaries from the ministry including Saurabh Vijay, Principal Secretary, Maharashtra, Hareet Shukla, Secretary Tourism, Gujarat, Vivek Shrotriya, Add. Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh, Pawan Jain, Joint Director, Rajasthan also attended and expressed their views during the event.
