The Punjab Government has formulated a comprehensive policy to bring the State on the international tourist map by promoting eco, adventure, wildlife and pilgrimage tourism.
“Punjab has to tap increasing demand for eco, adventure, wildlife and pilgrimage tourism. For the same, we have approved a comprehensive project,” said State Tourism Minister Sohan Singh Thandal.
He said that Punjab has rich cultural, historical, religious and ecological legacy and foreign tourist were attracted towards multi-hued picturesque locales of the State. “In Punjab, there are many such places, which have yet not been tapped and promoted as potential tourist spots,” he added.
Thandal said that these tourist products involved visiting and staying in remote areas, forests and riversides. Advocating tented accommodation at such sites, Thandal said that instead of investing in permanent capital assets, the State Government should give the real jungle experience to the tourist in well-designed tents.
“Without fiddling with fragile ecology of the forests and wetlands, the Tourism Department should focus on eco-friendly solution like tents and camping sites,” he added.
He said that keeping in view restrictions on erecting permanent structures in ecologically fragile regions and to promote our young tourist to become part of nature, we should promote camping sites with trained tourist guides.
“To meet the increasing demand of tourists, camping facilities and tented accommodation would need to be developed and there is a need to promote and facilitate setting up of tented accommodation or camp sites, while ensuring adherence to quality, standards and safety norms. Therefore, Punjab Government has framed a comprehensive policy ‘Tented Accommodation or Camping Scheme” to attract the tourists from across the globe to visit Punjab and enjoy the virgin beauty of the nature besides relishing the Religious and Cultural heritage,” he said.
Minister said that to set up these kinds of tented accommodation and camping sites, distinguished promoters in the tourism industry would be invited. “Tented accommodation or camping would be categorized as per the facilities provided by the promoters at these locations. Punjab Government would extend all basic amenities like electricity and water at these camping sites at a subsidized rate,” he added.