Now, Gujarat bets big on tourism

After wooing industries, the Gujarat government is now focusing on tourism promotion and plans to invest around Rs 635 crore (Rs 6.35 billion) in the next three yearsfor upgrading infrastructure in the sector.

"We have been focusing on industry, agriculture and infrastructure for the economic development of the state. With these sectors firmly in place, we want to now focus on tourism and promote Gujarat as a tourist destination to the world," Tourism Minister Jay Narayan Vyas said.

Vyas was in Mumbai to attend a road show organised to promote 'Saputara Monsoon Festival' being held from July 30 to August 30. Saputara is a hill station in Gujarat's Dangs district.

"The government plans to invest around Rs 635 crore over the next three years to promote tourism. We want to put Gujarat on the global tourism map," Principal Secretary (Tourism and Civil Aviation) Vipul Mittra said.

The funds would be used for upgrading infrastructure as well as for promoting tourism, he said.

"Gujarat has maintained a GDP growth of 10-12 per cent over the years with industry and agriculture being the major contributors to growth. By 2025, we want business, leisure and medical tourism to make substantial contribution to the state GDP growth," the Minister said.

Gujarat witnessed 2,95,000 international arrivals in last year, of which 1,70,000 were non-resident Indians.

The government has appointed Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan as the brand ambassador to promote Gujarat as an international tourist destination.