Gujarat to promote tourism all over the world; Modi

Gandhinagar, Sep 24: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today said the government would use local festivals, especially Garba, to the hilt to promote the state as a tourist destination.

At an informal interactive session with women scribes from national and international media organisations at his residence here, Mr Modi said, ''A few television channels, including Discovery, have evinced keen interest in airing Navratra celebrations next year, the others being Israeli and a few African channels.'' Stating that the number of heritage buildings per square kilometre in the country is the highest in Gujarat, Mr Modi said, ''the state should have been promoted 15 years ago but we missed the bus.'' As part of measures to promote tourism, the Gujarat government has been focusing on improving infrastructure, promoting the hotel industry and has come up with literature on culture of the state, heritage monuments and traditions.

The state government has proposed to set up 'Gram Hatt' near every heritage sight so that the rural artisans can showcase their handicrafts.

Mr Modi said the state had immense potential for adventure, eco and coastal tourism and the government had set up a task force to work out modalities.

''Promotion of eco-tourism will benefit the tribals of the belt,'' added Mr Modi. Citing the example of Sardar Sarovar Project in the state, the CM said, '' For the past one and a half years the tribals of the belt have been benefiting from the project.'' Mr Modi also said the government was in the process of developing Gujarat as a Buddhist destination as the state had a number of caves where the Buddhist monks used to pray. The government had plans to encourage Buddhist places of interests in the state like Devni Mori near Shamla Ji, he informed.

The Gujarat government has also signed MoUs with the Rajasthan government to promote tourism in the western state.

UNI