‘Tourism sector holdsgreat potential in CGfor employment, business’

 

 

 

THE Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai, has taken special initiatives to boost tourism in the State. Continuous efforts are underway to promote the natural beauty and tourist destinations of Chhattisgarh. To attract visitors from across the country and the world, exhibitions and workshops are being held in major cities to spread awareness about the state's tourism spots.

 

The main goal is to place Chhattisgarh on the global tourism map. Under the C h i e f M i n i s t e r ’s l e a d e r s h i p, tourism has been given the status of an industry in Chhattisgarh. The new industrial policy includes several concessions to support this sector. A home-stay policy has also been introduced to promote tourism in regions like Bastar and Sarguja.

 

To further these efforts, the government has started an innovative initiative to train youth, especially from Bastar, as tourist guides. Forty-five young people were sent to the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM), Gwalior, with the support of the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board to receive special training. After completing the onemonth course, they have returned and will be appointed as guides at various tourist locations in the state.

 

Both Chief Minister Sai and Tourism Minister Rajesh Agrawal congratulated the trainees on their successful completion of the program. The Chief Minister highlighted the state’s lush green valleys, natural beauty, and scenic tourist spots, which make Chhattisgarh a promising tourism hub. He said the tourism sector holds great potential to open new avenues for employment and business.

 

This special tourist guide training program was organized after a gap of seven years, with most trainees coming from the Bastar division. The training covered tourist guidance, communication skills, cultural heritage, tourism management, and fieldwork. These trained guides will effectively promote the natural and cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh, playing a significant role in advancing the state's tourism industry.