CII Fest ropes in 8 states
Chandigarh is host city; Punjab is principal partner state; Gujarat is partner state; J&K, Jharkhand, MP, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh are focus states for this fest scheduled for December 5-7, 2013.
The first edition of the ‘CII Tourism Fest’, which is being organised with the support of all northern state governments in Chandigarh on December 5-7, 2013 has roped in eight states already, and is striving for more domestic as well international participation.
“Chandigarh will be the host city and the Government of Punjab has agreed to be the principal partner state. Gujarat would be the ‘partner state’ in this unique initiative. The states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, J&K, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh have also confirmed their participation as ‘ focus states’. Discussions are on with Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Odisha who have shown interest to participate,” said
Arjun Sharma, Chairman, CII Tourism Fest 2013 and Managing Director, Le Passage To India.
“It will also have an international flavour. Thailand has already confirmed its participation and we are expecting participation from countries like Germany, Malaysia, China, Russia, Australia, USA, Canada, South Africa, Jordan, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Macau, and Britain. Further, the fest would comprise buyer-seller meets; deliberations on required policy initiatives, international dance shows, national and international food festivals, golf tournament, international chef meets, leisure and excursion trips,” added Sharma.
The fest will also create awareness about the scope of rural tourism, destination management, image building and cinematic tourism in the region. Moreover, CII would invite chief ministers of various states at the conclave and create a Chief Ministers’ Forum to address various issues like infrastructure, connectivity, security, cleanliness, information sharing, accommodation, food, travel and policies.
Various associations like Outbound Tour Operators Association of India, India Golf Tourism Association, Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India, Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India, Indian Federation Associations of Culinary World Association of Chefs Societies, and -DDP Publications are supporting the event.
“Various stakeholders include hoteliers, hospitals, tour operators, travel agents, golf courses and resorts, central and state government tourism agencies, tourism board of various countries, airlines, airports, air charter companies, city transport providers, railways and IRCTC, experts in hospitality and tourism, administrators of academic programmes in hospitality and tourism, publishers of journals and academic textbooks, tourism web portal companies, educational institutes, holiday clubs, spa and wellness centres etc.,” said Man Mohan Singh, Chairman, CII Chandigarh Council.
Here, V B Kumar, State Executive Director, Punjab Heritage Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB), said, “Synergy between various state governments and the Centre is the key to promote the region as a tourism hub”. While A K Malhotra, General Manager, Tourism, CITCO said that Chandigarh will be beautified to host the first-ever Tourism Fest.