Punjab Post Daily Online Newspaper & Print Media
Amritsar, Nov. 26 (Punjab Post Bureau)- After registering various landmark initiatives in Tourism sector, now, Punjab is all set to execute Rural/Farm Tourism in the state in an impressive manner with Punjab Tourism Minister Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal accompanied by executives from United Nations World Tourism Organisation is going to preside over Rural Tourism workshop here on December 1.
The workshop will take place here since Amritsar is being developed as a tourist hub by the state government with an aim to showcase its monuments (historical and religious), markets, eateries and heritage significance. The workshop will be conducted in association with United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). Agencies implementing rural tourism projects, NGOs involved in the project, freelanced researchers, writers, citizens owning rural accommodations, tour and travel hoteliers operators and other stakeholders will take part in the workshop.
Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson said that the workshop will have detailed deliberations over different issues including setting the scenario with defining the scope of Rural Tourism, rural tourism strategy and guidelines for Punjab by UNWTO, opportunities in farm tourism along results of tour operator survey and product development besides travel trade partnership for farm tourism in Punjab. The workshop will also focus on the concept and scheme of farm tourism vis-à-vis crafts of Punjab and community involvement. The workshop will also witness discussions over future tourism destinations and circuits followed by interactive session with stakeholders, tour operators, service providers, farm owners and community members.
Briefing about the project spokesperson said that this unique model was aimed at providing exclusive opportunity to urban population as well as Indian Diaspora to relish the rich rural environment of Punjab by living in rustic homes witnessing green healthy environment of farms. The Spokesperson said that the visitors will also get an opportunity to have wood oven baked delicious Punjabi dishes under Rural/Farm tourism plan. He said that it will involve farmers as successful tourism operators and they will get their guests online, through tour operators, service providers and with the active involvement of community members.
The spokesperson said that Punjab has bagged National Tourism Award 2011 for the best Rural Tourism site in the country (Boothgarh in Hoshiarpur). He said that state has also formed of UNWTO’s Ropar District Rural Tourism cluster of our enterprising rural communities, who dwell in the scenic Sutlej river basin abutting the silhouette of the Shivalik hills. He said that Punjab has also been awarded several awards for various steps taken for promotion and development of Tourism including Best Innovative Tourism Product (for Farm Tourism Scheme), Best Heritage Walk (for Amritsar Heritage Walk), Most Progressive State for Tourism, Best Rural Tourism Initiative, Best Spiritual Destination in India, Best Cultural Destination in India and Most Innovative Tourism Marketing Award.
The Spokesperson informed that questions and answers session will also be held on various issues relating to farm tourism as Punjab was fast emerging as a tourism destination, registering the fastest growth rate in the country.
