Gujarat earmarks Rs350 crore for infrastructure, tourism development
The state, which has roped in megastar Amitabh Bachchan to promote tourism, has developed Saputara as a modern hill station at an investment of Rs150 crore to attract domestic and foreign travellers.
The Gujarat government has earmarked Rs350 crore this year for infrastructure and development of tourism in the state.
"Our aim is to make Gujarat a leading global tourist destination," Gujarat tourism director and commissioner Anoop Shukla told reporters on Friday.
The state, which has roped in megastar Amitabh Bachchan to promote tourism, has developed Saputara as a modern hill station at an investment of Rs150 crore to attract both, domestic and foreign travellers.
"Saputara has undergone a phenomenal infrastructure transformation which would attract both domestic and foreigntourists in the days to come," Shukla said.
He said foreign tourist arrivals in Gujarat had gone up significantly in the first six months of the year as compared to the same period in 2009.
"The inflow of foreign tourists has increased by at least 40% during the six months. We hope the numbers increase further in the remaining period as the state sees more festivals and tourism functions."
The state hopes that a chunk of foreigners coming to watch the October Commonwealth Games would also visit Gujarat, he said.
Gujarat's tourism department is organising a three-day 'Global Bird Watcher' conference in Khijadiya, Jamnagar district, from November 25.
About 500 participants, including 100 avid bird watchers from abroad, are expected to attend the event.
"Khijadiya is the only place where freshwater and sea birds are found. It also receives about 250 species of birds every year," Shukla said.
"The conference is part of a plan to put Khijadiya on the global tourist map. The meet will coincide with the arrival of a large number of migratory birds," he said.