Gujarat sees spurt in tourist arrivals

Though the number of tourists arriving in Gujarat registered a substantial growth of 32 per cent in the current year, the state's tourism lacks proper marketing and infrastructure, R M Patel, principal secretary, state tourism, development & devsthan management, said.

Addressing the media in connection with the Tourism Conclave being held on December 7-8 in Ahmedabad, Patel said Gujarat needed to take up a proactive role in marketing itself as a tourism destination.

"We have forests, beaches and religious places. However, we are not fully tapping the potential tourism market as the state lacks in marketing itself. The state has to improve its existing infrastructure too," he said.

In 2005-2006, the state registered a total 83 lakh tourists including domestic, foreign tourists and NRIs, compared with 63 lakh in the previous year.

"This can be termed as an achievement on the government's side as the state is celebrating this year as the 'Tourism Year,'" Patel said.

Ashwin Gandhi, convener, Tourism Council, Confederation of India Industries, Gujarat, said prohibition in the state was the biggest impediment in the growth of the tourism industry.

"Most of the tourists skip Gujarat and prefer other destinations as there is prohibition in the state. The government should give partial relief to hotels and tourist destinations from prohibition."

He also said the state government was losing a substantial business opportunity because of the prohibition as many businessmen and corporates do not want to come to Gujarat to participate in various conferences.

"The state government should allow liquor in such business conferences," Gandhi added. The conclave is being jointly organised by the CII and the department of tourism, Gujarat.