- As a peace-loving land known for people who go above and beyond to share happiness, there is no better place to travel than Punjab in the current high-stress era – Anmol Gagan Mann
- We are known for hospitality, yet when it comes to the hospitality industry, we are not one of the top rankers. With this initiative combined with our abundance of heritage, traditions, and art forms, we are ready to transform Punjab into a global tourist destination – Anurag Verma
- Rangla Punjab is not just a dream; it is the vision that guides our Chief Minister’s governance. We have turned this vision into a reality in a remarkably short span of 31 days – Rakhee Gupta Bhandari
The much-anticipated Punjab Tourism Summit and Travel Mart kicked off with a grand inaugural ceremony at Amity University in Mohali. The event, scheduled from September 11 to 13, was inaugurated by Punjab Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann and signifies a pivotal moment in Punjab’s journey to become a premier global tourist hotspot.
Speaking on the occasion, Mann said, “Punjab is the land of the heart, and that’s what we want to show through Rangla Punjab. We possess all the elements needed to take tourism to uncharted heights, like being in a geographical sweet spot where tourists have to cross Punjab to reach many destinations. No wedding is complete without Punjabi food and songs.”
Pointing out that the state has the passion and social bonding to succeed, he further said, “Every seed will sprout here, except the seed of hate.” He also spoke about building a ‘Celebration Point’ on the outskirts of Amritsar, introducing Film City to the state, and implementing flexible policies to boost tourism in Punjab. ‘Celebration Point’, consisting of a marriage palace, banquet hall, and more, will be a one-stop point for all celebrations.
Also speaking at the inauguration, Anmol Gagan Maan, Tourism Minister, Punjab, shared insights into key thematic circuits in Punjab: Devotional (Rupnagar, Amritsar, Tarn Taran), Border Tourism (Amritsar, Ferozepur, Fazika) and Wellness (Rupnagar, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Pathankot), aligning with Punjab’s serene surroundings and rich cultural heritage. She also highlighted the goals to promote water and adventure tourism and emphasised Punjab’s reputation for warm hospitality.
“Amritsar gets 1.5 lakh religious tourists. About 50,000 of them also cover the Wagah border. Being the land of Bhagat Singh, we also have a lot of patriotic tourism. Our goal is to move beyond the two, so for the past year, we’ve been working on water and adventure tourism policies. The policy for wellness tourism is in the works. As a peace-loving land known for people who go above and beyond to share happiness, there is no better place to travel than Punjab in the current high-stress era,” said Maan.
While explaining the maiden edition of the Summit Anurag Verma, IAS, Chief Secretary, Punjab, said, “Rangla Punjab marks the beginning of a new era for tourism in Punjab, a brainchild of our Chief Minister. We are known for hospitality, yet when it comes to the hospitality industry, we are not one of the top rankers. None of our cities is a tourist or wedding destination. With this initiative combined with our abundance of heritage, traditions, and art forms, we are ready to transform Punjab into a global tourist destination. The objective today is to sit together with industry leaders as equal partners and brainstorm a concrete plan for the same.”
Rakhee Gupta Bhandari, IAS Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, highlighted the government’s strong commitment to boosting tourism and creating opportunities for both visitors and locals. “Rangla Punjab is not just a dream; it is the vision that guides our Chief Minister’s governance. We have turned this vision into a reality in a remarkably short span of 31 days. Historically, the world has seen Punjab in a few hues: red for valour, yellow for sacrifice, and orange for our struggle for freedom. Through this initiative, we unveil the kaleidoscope of colours that Punjab truly is, promising travellers an unforgettable and diverse experience.
During her address, Bhandari also shed light on Punjab Tourism’s expansion beyond religious and historical travel. As the Land of Five Rivers, Punjab is ushering in a new era with water and adventure tourism, offering thrilling activities like river rafting and paragliding. “With the Punjab Investment Business Development Policy (IBDP), we offer incentives to investors to elevate the state’s reputation for business-friendly policies,” she remarked.
