Strengthen Tourism

Shri Alphons Kannanthanam, Minister of State for Tourism has said that the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in collaboration with other Central Ministries, State Governments and Stakeholders is organizing a “Paryatan Parv” across the country from the 5th to 25th October 2017.

Addressing media persons at a Press Conference, he said that programme is being organized with the objective of drawing focus on the benefits of tourism, showcasing the cultural diversity of the country and reinforcing the principle of “Tourism for All”. Smt. Rashmi Verma, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and senior officers were present in the Press Conference.

The Minister informed that the “Paryatan Parv” will have three main components:

Dekho Apna Desh: To encourage Indians to visit their own country. This will include Video, Photograph and Blog Competitions of sites visited during the Event, Stories of India through Travelers’ Eyes, on Social Media, Tourism related Quiz, Essay, Debate and Painting Competitions for Students, Television Campaigns to promote travel to J&K and N.E. States.

Tourism for All: Tourism Events at sites across all States in the country. The activities at these sites will include illumination in and around the Sites, Cultural Programmes of Dance, Music, Theatre, Story Telling, Sensitisation Programmes for Stakeholders around the Sites, Tourism Exhibitions, Showcasing Culture, Cuisine and Handicrafts / Handlooms, Guided Heritage Walks, etc. These will be “People’s Events” with large scale public participation.

Tourism & Governance: Interactive Sessions & Workshops with Stakeholders on varied themes: Skill Development in Tourism Sector / Innovation in Tourism / For inducting Ex-servicemen as service providers for Taxi Operation / Developing Rural Tourism in locations near established Destinations / Community Sensitisation Workshops on Homestay and B&B Opportunities

The Minister announced that the “Parv” will be inaugurated at the Humayun’s Tomb on 5th October 2017. Heritage Walks are being organized at the monument from 8 AM to 4 PM along with a Painting Competition for students. The formal inauguration of the event will be held at 5:00 PM at the venue which will include a cultural programme with Meera Bhajans by Vidya Shah and Dastan-e-Amir Khusrau presented by Dr. Syeda Hameed, Zakia Zaheer & Rene Singh. Partners in the event include the State Governments who will organize cultural and other tourism related events, workshops and seminars at the identified sites as well at other destinations and locations in their States.

The Paryatan Parv will culminate in a 3 day event in New Delhi from the 23rd to 25th October 2017 which will showcase the cultural diversity of the country, with cultural performances, crafts bazaar, food court showcasing folk and classical dance & music, handicrafts & handlooms and cuisine from all regions and States of the country. (ps)

Information: he Minister informed that Central Ministries have also proactively come forward and will be part of the event: Ministry of Culture will arrange cultural programmes / Ministry of Information & Broadcasting will extend support for generating awareness / Ministry of Textiles will arrange for exhibition at different sites / Ministry of Rural Development will arrange local activities / Ministry of Human Resource Development will arrange quiz, painting and essay competitions / Ministry of Skill Development will partner in workshops / Ministry of DONER will coordinate tourism events / Ministry of Ayush will arrange Yoga demonstrations / Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports will organize youth camps – and visiting teams participating in the FIFA U-17 World Cup will be taken to tourist sites / Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology will partner in the event for public outreach / Ministry of Environment & Forests will arrange sensitization programmes / Key airports will be given a festive look during the “Parv” / Ministry of Railways will arrange for a festive look at major railway stations / Ministry of Road Transport & Highways will collaborate / Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas will create tourist wayside amenities / Ministry of Finance (Revenue) will organize sensitization programmes / Ministry of Home Affairs will conduct sensitization programmes / The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce will arrange a Tourism Investor Round Table Conference, pib.nic.in