NIFAST Showcases Potential Of North Indian Destinations
Jyoti Koul /New Delhi

Jagmohan

The Northern India Forum for Aviation and Sustainable Tourism (NIFAST) recently held it’s first convention in Delhi. The day-long convention highlighted the potential of northern states and issues dogging the tourism industry in the states like Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh (Union Territory), J&K, Uttranchal and Uttar Pradesh. However, Punjab was the theme state of the convention. The convention also highlighted the need of investments to be made by private sector and NRI’s in the industry in the northern region with a view to stimulate over all economic activity and growth in the region.

At the convention, tourism minister, Jagmohan while emphasising on the need to develop domestic tourism said, “It is heartening to know that India only gets 2.6 million tourists annually, where as more than 2.6 million Indians travel abroad purely because of their mental attitude. I have mentioned this before and will do so repeatedly in future: tourism is a civilisational issue and India as a destination has to be developed in the minds of the people; only then will the country be able get large number of tourists.”

The minister further mentioned that northern countries have great potential in terms of cultural and religious tourism and the ministry will leave no stone unturned to promote these aspects.

NIFAST is also planning to involve the media, artists and celebrities in tourism promotion. Currently, it has roped in Hans Raj Hans, noted Punjabi singer for tourism promotion of northern states, particularly Punjab.