Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd. (TCGL) announced the 4th Vibrant Gujarat Global investors’ summit 2009 to be held on 12th & 13th January 2009 at Science City, Ahmedabad. The announcement was made by Shri Jay Narayan Vyas (Hon’ble Minister of Health & Tourism, Gujarat), Shri Kamlesh Patel (Chairman, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited) and Shri Kishore Rao D , IAS, (Secretary (Tourism) Gujarat) who also brief the media on investment potential in tourism sector of Gujarat. The Summit is a biennial event organized by the Industrial Extension bureau (a Government of Gujarat initiative) in partnership with the Confederation of Indian industry.
The focus of this year summit will be based on “Globalization of Gujarat Tourism”. The Inaugural session will be held on 12th January 2009 followed by Seminar & conventions, buyer-seller meet, mega exhibition and cultural programme till 17th January 2009. SATTE from New Delhi has partnered with TCGL for hosting exhibition and international buyer & seller meet. The seminar would be address by dignitaries like Shri Milinda Moragoda, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism , Srilanka, Shri Jay Narayan Vyas, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism , Gujarat, Shri Kamalesh Patel, chairman, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd. and other stalwarts of the Tourism Industry.
GUJARAT has seen a rebirth splendidly combining the traditions of its glorious past with state-of-the-art technology and modern amenities, under the stewardship of Narendra Modi. In the last five years, the state has seen unprecedented growth matching international standards. The fourth year of Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors’ Summit 2009 will spotlight the state’s achievements. This year it aims to giving global investors an unbeatable business edge by bring together forum business leaders, investors, corporate heads and policy & opinion makers.
The summit also coincides with the state’s world famous festival Uttarayan. In Gujarat, Uttarayan is celebrated as Kite-flying day. On this auspicious occasion TCGL is hosting International Kite Festival from 10th to 14th January 2009. TCGL has been organizing the International Kite Festival from 1989. This festival has attracted kite flyers from across India and from different countries of the world that have a kite culture. The kite making industry estimated worth is over Rs100 crore. The Gujarat model of all inclusive development is a benchmark for the rest of the country” – Narendra Modi, Chief Minister began with declaration of "Tourism Year" by Hon'ble Chief Minister and thereafter his continuous support, guidance and commitment to the sector has lent a great momentum to this effort putting the entire state mechanism on top gear.
TCGL have selected 37 destinations for integrated tourism development. In last 2 years more than 600 projects in 300 tourist destination have been taken up with a cost more than INR 100 crore. 35 Pravasi Path of international standards has been taken up in Gujarat, involving an investment of INR 78 crore. Total of 33 Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) involving an investment of 10 793 crore (USD 2 57 billion) were signed at 2007 Vibrant Gujarat Global 10,793 2.57 Investor's Summit (VGGIS). Tourism sector registered an increase of 47 % over investments in 2005 VGGIS.
Tourism this year budget have been increased from INR 30 crore to INR 100 crore. This provision is continued in the new 5 year plan. The increase of budget has been provided for Tourism Infrastructure projects. Joint Venture Company (JVC) formed with IL&FS IDC for undertaking development of tourism and civil aviation projects under Public Private Partnership (PPP) at Mandavi –Kutch, Dholavira – Kutch, Sasangir & Somnath – Junagadh, Champaner – Panchmahal and Dwarka – Jamnagar. Beside this plans for development of convention centre at Surat & Vadodara with Air strips for enhancing connectivity between the tourist destinations. There is a huge opportunities for investment among industries like Hotel, Apartment Hotel, Beach Sports, Entertainment and Well Being Tourism.
Overview on Gujarat State
Gujarat has immense potential to become a major tourist destination. Its historical monuments represent the great religions of Asia – Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Islamic, Parsee and Sikh.For eco-tourists, the state offers opportunities to see a wide range of wildlife including the Asiatic lion and Indian wild ass, endangered antelopes, a variety of deer, etc. It has India’s first marine national park. There are more than 400 archaeological sites in state including some of the most Culture substantial excavations of Indus Valley civilization period at Lothal (near Ahmedabad), Surkotada and Dholavira (in Kutch). The archaeological zone of Champaner - Pavagadh have been acclaimed by UNESCO as the “World Heritage Site” because of its great mosques, temples, stepwells and forts. The Wild Ass sanctuary, Dholavira Harappan City and Rani-Ki-Vav are in the process of getting status of the World Heritage site. Gujarat has many enchanting tourist places, memorable historic monuments and sacred pilgrimages, depicting the glorious cultural heritage, which can attract both Indian and international travellers. The state has important pilgrimage places like Dwarka, Somnath, Dakor, Ambaji, etc for Hindus, Udwada, Navsari and Surat for Parsees, Palitana, Girnar, etc for Jains. Medical tourism is seen as having a particularly high growth potential because of the availability of high-quality, low cost surgeries at Gujarat’s hospitals. The large population of people of Gujarati origin in America, Europe and Africa can be a major growth driver for this segment of tourism.
