Ans.

With a view to accelerating the pace of economic activities through tourism, the Government of Gujarat had announced the tourism policy for a period from 2003 to 2010. The important initiatives contemplated under this policy are as under:

• To promote event based tourism
• Development of tourist circuits
• Development of tourism related infrastructure
• Use of innovative marketing techniques and promotional tools
• Human resource development in the area of tourism
• Private participation
• Facilitation through Government policies for speedy development
• Active involvement of district administration in tourism activities.

Ans.

For implementation of the policy, it is essential on the part of the State Government to play a facilitative role by granting necessary permissions/clearances required by investors in a time bound manner. The facilities of Gujarat Industrial Promotion Board (GIPB) set up to grant necessary clearances on fast track basis under the system of Single Window Clearance will now be made applicable to Tourism Sector also. All projects having investment less than Rs 50 crore will be approved at the Government level and the projects having investment exceeding Rs 50 crore will be approved by GIPB.

The Commissioner (Tourism) and Managing Director, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat will act as the Secretariat of GIPB, for the purpose of investment in tourism projects.

Ans.

For the growth of overall development of economic sector and social sector, the State is determined to develop tourism as a key growth sector. It has been decided by the State Government to provide condusive climate for this sector to grow and for the purpose, Tourism has been identified as the Engine of Growth. For the purpose, efforts will be made by way of promoting:

Hospitality Industry

Indirect Employment

Cultural Development

Infrastructure Development

Employment Opportunities

Sustenance of rich heritage of arts and crafts

Ans.

The policy gives the approach of he State Government, which speaks for methodology of development of this Sector. The methodology includes Event Based Tourism, Tourist Circuits, Infrastructure Development, Innovative Marketing & Promotional Tools, Human Resource Development, Private Participation, Facilitating Government policies to ensure rapid growth and active participation of District Administration.

Ans.

The State Government is keen to attract flow of tourists in the State and for the purpose, international fairs like Navratri festival, kite festival, etc will be arranged in the State from time to time. Further, the students of Gujarat shall be encouraged to develop an interest for communication through e-mail with the students and other persons abroad to interact with them about Gujarat and ultimately motivate them to visit Gujarat.

Ans.

The policy promises for long term investment and business opportunities for national and international corporate bodies and private enterprises. The sectors like hospitality industry, eco-tourism, Viswa Gram Global village, Dinosaur theme park, Cruise trips with whale watch, Deep driving and snorkeling snorkeling of coral island, Golf Courses, Royal orient gauge conversion, Special Entertainment Zones, Wayside amenities, etc are the areas to attract further investment in Tourism Sector, leading ultimately to attract tourists flow.

Ans.

The massive flow of investment in industrial sector will increase the frequency of visits by executives of different industrial houses. Further, the investment in infrastructure sector in port and road, will also increase the international trade from Gujarat and particularly from the land locked states. All these developments are expected to play an important role to increase the flow of business tourists.