Gir National Park bags award

Gandhinagar, Jun 25 (UNI) The home of Asiatic Lions, Gir National Park and Sanctuary, has won the CNBC AWAAZ Travel Award 2008 in the category of ''Best Wildlife and Nature Travel Destination''.

Gujarat Tourism Minister Jaynarayan Vyas today informed newspersons here that the awards will be given away at a function in Mumbai.

The Minister said, ''The government is committed to developing the tourism sector in the state in coming years by increasing the budgetary contribution from 2.5 per cent to 6 per cent of the state GDP.'' He said the state has many tourist spots and added, ''We have already prepared a four-point programme for developing tourist destinations in the state.'' Mr Vyas said the programme aims to tap local tourists who mostly move out of the state for vacations, besides attracting foreign tourists to the state.

The state had signed two deals with private agencies to prepare a report for developing tourism potential in the state. On the basis of the report, tourism and hospitality spots with modern facilities will be developed in major cities and towns, he added.

UNI HT MAZ AM RAI2221