The “real” picture of Punjab will now be portrayed in the cyber space. Just a click away, the Punjab Government on Tuesday launched a new official website of the State Tourism Department, specially keeping in view the requirements of the online visitors. The web portal — www.punjabtourism.gov.in, re-launched by the State Tourism Minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur and reviving it, has been divided into three sections — Travel, Trade and Media.
“The website, with altogether new features, has been designed in an attractive and colourful manner. The videos depicting the vibrant Punjab have also been uploaded besides detailed description of all the tourist destinations in the State,” said Phillaur.
Terming it more of a “travelogue”, the Minister said that district-wise pictorial information describing each district about its historical and religious background together with the accommodations available and tours conducted, cuisine, restaurants and other attractions recommend by Punjab tourism was also attributed in the website.
The ‘Travel’ section of the portal have the information for interested tourists and visitors who wanted to plan their trip based like information regarding various sites for eco-tourism, pilgrimage, heritage, archaeological themes, handicraft shopping and other information.
The ‘Trade’ section includes information for trade partners like travel agents and tour operators in order to promote the State, besides information on tenders, trade exhibitions, development projects, new schemes, on-going projects, among others. ‘Media’ section provides all the latest information relating to tourism offices and information centre across the State, information on upcoming events, statistics and surveys, e-magazine, e-brochures and other information.
“Search engine optimization would be the next step which would enable the Tourism website to be more visible in search criteria through specific keywords….This would be very helpful tool in marketing tourism to domestic and international tourists,” added Phillaur.