Guj govt celebrates 2006 as 'Tourism Year'

Mumbai, Aug 25 (UNI) State Tourism Minister C D Patel, who was here to promote tourism in Gujarat said that the state government is celebrating year 2006 as Tourism Year.

During an audio-visual presentation on tourism in Gujarat, Mr Patel told mediapersons, ''The main objective of celebrating the year as 'Tourism Year' is to highlight immense potential of tourism sector in Gujarat.'' He added, ''Tourism can be an engine of growth for Gujarat economy. This year the budget for Tourism has increased from Rs 100 crore compared to Rs 30 crore of the previous year. Besides, all the line departments have allocated a separate budget for tourism infrastructure activities. In association with Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA), a training programme has been initiated by Gujarat Tourism to train personnel for the Tourism sector. Till date about 350 guides have been trained all over the state.'' There was a live dandia performance for the august gathering by a dance troupe where an announcemnet of Navratri festival was made.

Mr Patel said, ''The world's longest dance festival - (Navratri, meaning nine nights) is being celebrated from September 23 to October 1 this year. During Navratri Festival, Gujarat Tourism will be organising various kinds of tour packages for tourists traveling to Gujarat.'' Mr Patel further stated, ''The programme is aimed at making Gujarat a popular tourist destination amongst tourist community of Maharashtra. Gujarat Tourism is planning a series of such shows in other cities. Five shows have already successfully concluded in Bangalore on July 18, and later in Chennai on July 28, Kolkata on July 31, Hyderabad on August 7 and Jaipur on August 23 this year.'' UNI AR KU MIR RS1830