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Punjab to organise tourism conclave of Northern States

Staff Correspondent

Formulation of innovative strategies to promote the region

CHANDIGARH: While the Union Ministry for Tourism has given its consent to projects worth Rs. 23 crore submitted by the Punjab government for development of tourist destinations and religious circuits, the state's Tourism department has decided to organise a conclave in the second week of April.

This was stated by Punjab's Tourism Minister, Jagmohan Singh Kang, who met the Union Tourism Minister, Ambika Soni at Delhi. She was quoted as directing her emphasis that in view of the increasing traffic at Raja Sansi Airport and Wagah Border in Amritsar, special focus on development of these sites be articulated through establishing a Wagah development authority, which was under active consideration in the Government of India.

Mr. Kang said that Punjab Tourism department would hold a tourism conclave of eight northern contiguous states, including Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Chandigarh and Uttaranchal to formulate some innovative strategies to promote a Northern tourist circuit.

While this conclave, which is slated for the second week of April in Amritsar would be inaugurated by Ms Soni, Punjab Chief Minister, Amarinder Singh would preside over it. Tourism Ministers, Secretaries and Managing Directors of tourism corporations of these States and other major stakeholders in tourism sector are expected to participate.

The main points and agenda for this unique meeting, aimed at promoting interstate cooperation, would include tax structure, levies on tourist transport vehicles, existing circuits, destinations, viability of interstate circuits, joint overseas marketing and funding, NRI participation in local projects, role of private and public sectors, publicity and success stories from the participating states.

Mr. Kang said that the Union Government has approved a destination project under which Rs. Five crore each had been earmarked for development of Amritsar, Wagah and Patiala. Under the scheme all tourist spots with in the radius of 25 kms from the district headquarters would be renovated, while the public utilities would be provided or augmented for the visiting tourists.

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Punjab to organise tourism conclave of Northern States

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