SURAT - Aiming to maximize the tourism potential of the city and the broader region, the South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) partnered with Gujarat Tourism to host the 'Tourism Conclave' at Sarsana.
Eminent figure from Gujarat Tourism, Nayak, outlined the government's tourism policy and future investment prospects across various sectors. He emphasized opportunities in cinematic tourism, agri-tourism, medical and wellness tourism, eco-tourism, adventure tourism, handicraft and handloom tourism, golf tourism, and sports tourism.
Gagan Katyal, Vice President of Anant Hotel & Resort Group, shed light on the future landscape of the hotel industry. Ph.D. in Tourism, Dr. Madhu Gopalan, spoke about the ethical values and responsibilities associated with the travel business. Sanat Relia, Vice President of South Gujarat Hotel and Restaurant Association, enlightened attendees on hotel star ratings and classifications. Furthermore, Vietnam's appeal as a popular tourist attraction was highlighted by Sanjeev Kumar Sanju. The Tour and Travel Committee of the Chamber played a pivotal role in the event's organization.
Himanshu Bodawala, Chamber of Commerce President, pointed out that the travel and tourism sector contributes 6.8% to India's total GDP. In terms of tourist appeal, Gujarat ranks ninth nationally, with travel and tourism making up 10.2% of the state's total GDP. He applauded Gujarat's strategic focus on medical tourism, noting a significant 33% increase in medical tourists in the state, surpassing the national increase of 20%.
Nayak also emphasized the potential of Surat and Gujarat in reshaping the country's tourism landscape. He proposed the idea of hosting the country's mega travel fair in Gujarat, particularly Surat. He also encouraged Gujaratis travelling abroad to explore and promote the remote regions of their home state.
Highlighting the work initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Nayak said that the state has emerged as a tourism hub, blending cultural heritage with modern facilities. He advocated for the development of an ecosystem to boost the tourism business in Gujarat, calling for the active participation of the local travel industry alongside government efforts.
