JOIN USThe Gujarat Government on Thursday complained that the Centre has been discriminating his state by not including any of its important tourist spots in the Incredible India campaign.
Speaking at the National Conference of Tourism Ministers organised by the Union Ministry of Tourism, Gujarat Tourism Minister Saurabhbhai Patel said none of the tourist places of Gujarat was projected in the Incredible India campaign of the Union Ministry of Tourism. He also said that despite assurances from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to develop famous Dandi Route as tourism circuit in the state, nothing moved further to materialise this.
Despite stepmotherly treatment by the Centre, the state registered 13.62 per cent increase in arrival of tourists in 2012-13, which was much higher than the national average growth. Highlighting the steps taken by the state government for the safety of tourists, he said special tourists police force was created and a 24-hour call centre was set up to assist tourist to lodge any complaints in the nearest police station pertaining to safety and security related issue.
Replying to the complaints, Union Minister of State for Tourism K Chiranjeevi said his ministry will take steps to provide assistance for developing the Porbandar and Dwarka tourist circuits in Gujarat.