Gujarat govt launches industrial tourism programme to showcase development

Ahmedabad: In a first of its kind initiative in the country, Gujarat government is promoting a tour package covering major industrial installations which have earned global acclaim for the state. [caption id=“attachment_2194263” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel. Reuters[/caption] Some of the major attractions of this recently launched tour package include a visit to Tata Nano plant in Sanand, Pipavav port near Amreli, Alang ship breaking yard in Bhavnagar and Amul Dairy in Anand. The package, called Industrial Tour of Gujarat, has been offered by city-based Akshar Travels Pvt Ltd, official partner of state-run tourism agency Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd (TCGL), which is promoting the tour on its website. According to Manish Sharma, Managing Director of Akshar Travels, this unique tour package, which is first of its kind in the country, is aimed at showcasing the industrial development of Gujarat. “After the recent Vibrant Summit, people from all over the world hves developed curiosity to find out more about Gujarat’s achievements in the industrial sector, as it is now termed as the upcoming industrial hub of India. Thus, we have proposed this idea of industrial tour, which was accepted by the state government,” said Sharma. In his view, such tours are common in China and Germany, which are considered as industrial majors. “Though Gujarat is a leader in industrial development, people are still unaware about the actual scale of industries flourishing in the state. Thus, we have launched this tour for those wanting to know more about Gujarat’s development,” said Sharma. As per the itinerary of this tour package, tourists can select the places from various options which include visit to Sanand based Tata Nano plant, Morbi-based ceramic industry as well as Asia’s biggest Ajanta clock factory. Tourists can also opt for a visit to Reliance Refinery in Jamnagar, Tata Chemicals factory in Mithapur, ship breaking yard in Alang, Pipavav port, Asian Paints plant in Ankleshwar, Arvind Mills in Ahmedabad, Amul Dairy in Anand and many more such destinations. “We also take tourists to salt pans near Okha. Those interested in cotton are taken to Kadi in Mehsana, which are having highest number of cotton gins in Asia. Our package also include visits to world-famous diamond industry as well as textiles industry in Surat and plastic industry in Hazira,” said Sharma. TCGL provides all the necessary support in organising these tours. “We co-ordinate with these industries as well as other departments to procure permissions. We also provide administrative and marketing support to such tour packages, which are aimed at showcasing Gujarat’s industrial development,” said PRO of TCGL Khyati Nayak. According to Sharma, the tour packages can be customised as per the needs of the tourists and costs up to Rs 20,000 for five-day of tour to specific destinations. “This tour packages are well received by entrepreneurs and students of professional courses. We are also getting good response from foreign delegates of China, Germany and Singapore, who are keen to find out more about Gujarat’s industrial growth and opportunities lying for them in this state,” added Sharma. PTI