New Delhi: The Government of India is all set to ride the boom in Indian tourism industry and looking to attract 10 million foreign tourists by the end of 2010. According to tourism secretary, Shilabhadra Banerjee, the government plans to establish four new terminals at Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi and Goa ports under public private partnership (PPP) model to promote cruise tourism in the country. According to shipping secretary A P V N Sarma, the government is mulling over the proposal of offering incentives to these ports in order to enable them strike a balance between cruise ships and high revenue yielding cargo ships.

At a conference organised by industry body, Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Banerjee further emphasised that if the target of attracting foreign tourists is attained successfully, the country will earn around US$ 9 billion in foreign exchange, besides generating an additional 15 million job.

Cruise tourism industry in the country has tremendous potential which is reflected through a 310-per cent growth in the number of cruise tourists in India between 2002 and 2006. The country has the capacity to raise the footfall of foreign tourists in Indian ports by over three-fold from the 180,000 in 2008 to 600,000 by 2010. The government is also trying to resolve certain issues, including speeding up of immigration norms and tax on bunkers to make the journey smooth-sailing for cruise tourism.

In general, the positive trend in Indian tourism industry is further reinforced with the facts that foreign tourist arrival and foreign exchange earning through tourism grew by 14.3 per cent and 24.3 per cent, respectively, in 2007. In absolute terms, India saw 5.08 million foreign tourists visiting the country in 2007 and spending US$ 10.73 billion through the year. Tourism is projected to generate 6.36 per cent of India’s gross domestic product (GDP), while accounting for 10.17 per cent of country’s employment in 2008. 

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that while terrorism divides people, tourism acts as a uniting force.

Addressing a gathering in New Delhi on Friday night after the special screening of a documentary on Kutch, Modi said his state has managed to attract tourists from across the world thanks to a tourist friendly policy and infrastructure.

“While terrorism divides people, tourism works as a uniting force,” he said. “In the 2001 earthquake, Kutch suffered heavy losses. But within eight years it stood up and is welcoming tourists again,” he said.

Leader of the Opposition L K Advani, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel were also present during the screening of The Unveiling of Kutch.

The short film discovers the various facets of the ‘white salt desert’.

Just 18 kilometres from the larger hill station of Mahabaleshwar, picturesque Panchgani enjoys fabulous weather throughout the year, and is known as the health resort of Maharashtra. It is also home to some old and well-established boarding schools. Though the city has changed over the years, with unplanned construction and a big increase in traffic, the beauty of the place hasn’t yet diminished.

Sunrise at Wilson Point is quite a social event, and you will by no means be the only person there; tourists in Mahabaleshwar seem to be enthusiastic, early risers.

This spot in Panchgani has been named Parsi Point. From here we have a view of the rice and wheat fields of Chikli village and flowing past is the Krishna river. A look through the telescope and a rough guide to the area for five rupees should give you a fair idea of what to see.

With pleasant climate through the year and colourful flowers, its winding streets are fun to bicycle along. Panchgani is also famous for its prestigious boarding schools. Apart from these little wonders there’s also a big one - Tableland, a flat rock of laterite, which is said to be the second largest in Asia, after the Pamir plateau in Tibet. Tableland is really the centre of most of the tourist activity in Panchgani. No vehicles are allowed here and one can either see the place on a horse cart or a better still zip around on a cycle, where you can always hop off for a breathtaking view of the sheer drop.

Though strawberries are the only fruits grown here in Panchgani, fruit processing is very big here and I found a factory that produced everything from Leechi juice to Pineapple crush.

Pratapgarh
There are several excursions around Panchgani, and for those who love history there is no limit to what one can see. I headed for the Pratapgarh fort, an hours drive south from Panchgani, to catch the sunset.

I had climbed the first ten steps, which lead to the Pratapgarh fort, when I realised that I had another 440 to go.

The might of the Maratha Empire, particularly during the 17th century is linked closely with forts built along the mountainous Deccan region. Chhatrapati Shivaji realised the immense potential of forts as power centres, whose architectural facets could be used for warfare while preserving and expanding Maratha rule.

There are over 350 such forts in Maharashtra either captured or built and designed as a chain along the hills to form a strong line of Shivaji’s defence.

Pratap Garh fort was built after Shivaji’s encounter with the Bijapur Sardar Afzal Khan. Legend has it that this place, where the flag flies is where Shivaji killed Afzal Khan using the claws of a tiger.

Here I saw a bronze statue of Chatrapati Shivaji that weighed eight tons. It was apparently the spot where his palace, demolished by the British in 1818, once stood.

Even the most mighty kingdoms have their traitors, and the dreaded Punishment Point is where those who were caught, lost their lives. These days this spot is put to more a more peaceful use, since it happens to be ideal place to catch a beautiful sunset at the end of a long day in Panchgani.

AHMEDABAD: Is this for real, or fantasy? The city getting its own Disneyland with its signature rollercoaster rides, that is. Well, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has set the ball rolling by inviting expressions of interest for a global tender to develop an amusement park at Kankaria Balvatika.

Municipal commissioner IP Gautam said, “We are hoping to build an amusement park with international quality rides.” There are five big and 11 small rides for children at present.

Balvatika is coming up as a centre of attraction near Kankaria Lake Front Development. The historic lake is being showcased as a world-class tourist destination at a cost of US $10 million. KLFD is linked with Kankaria zoo, Dutch cemetery and an aquarium as well.

The amusement park will come up on a 2,600 sq m plot in Balvatika. AMC sources said new rides need to be introduced in view of the growing popularity among both children and adults. “The rides have not changed much over the last decade and there is need to bring something fresh and exciting for children,” said a senior AMC official.

AMC is looking for parties on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis. The party chosen will design, finance, construct and operate the park. An additional 1,000 sq m will be available underground.

Recently, Gujarat High Court permitted AMC to invite fresh tenders for stalls and directed it to complete tender proceedings and pass allotment order in favour of highest bidder in three months.

KLFD involves walkways, cycle tracks, linear gardens, informal sector market and food courts. A mini train imported from UK will be a major draw.

A senior AMC official said, “KLFD is likely to be completed by this December. The Ring Road will be open to public very shortly and be dotted with more than 3,000 trees.”

Source : Times Of India