Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai announced

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai today attended the Central India Connect Marketplace program organized on World Tourism Day at a private hotel in Nava Raipur. Chief Minister Shri Sai announced that from next year onwards, the person or organization doing excellent work in the field of tourism in the state will be given award every year on the occasion of Rajyotsav to promote tourism in Chhattisgarh and encourage people doing good work in this field. The Central India Connect Marketplace program was organized under the joint aegis of Chhattisgarh Tourism Board and Chhattisgarh Travel Trade Association. 

Addressing the program, Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the motto of the country’s tourism department is ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’. I greet all the guests gathered in this program with the same feeling. On the occasion of World Tourism Day, a beautiful program of Central India Connect Market Plus is being organized by Chhattisgarh Tourism Board and Chhattisgarh Travel Trade Association.

The Chief Minister said that all of you have put forward your beautiful ideas for promoting tourism in Chhattisgarh in this program. We will consider your useful suggestions for promoting the tourism industry in Chhattisgarh and implement them. It is a matter of great pride for us that the Ministry of Tourism of the Government of India has given the first place to Doodmaras village of Bastar in the list of best tourist villages of the country this year in the list of adventure tourism and Chitrakote village in the list of community best village. Sarodhadadar has got a place in the list of best tourist villages. 

 This year’s theme, Tourism and Peace, has been set by the World Tourism Organization. This theme has great relevance in the environment of conflict and division at the global level. The role of tourism in promoting social and cultural understanding towards sustainable development with peace cannot be denied. 

Sustainable and responsible tourism is being emphasized all over the world so that we can take concrete steps towards environmental conservation. If tourism increases in Bastar, it will help in preserving the natural beauty. This will also create livelihood opportunities for thousands of people.

Our state is a unique example of historical, archaeological, religious and natural heritage as well as a glorious ancient folk culture. There are very few states in the country that are as blessed by nature as our Chhattisgarh. 

A large part of the state of Chhattisgarh is covered with dense forests. From spectacular waterfalls to mesmerizing wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, whatever attraction you can think of, you will find it all in Chhattisgarh. 

With the increase in tourism activities in the state, the local community is getting employment opportunities. Our effort is to expand employment opportunities further by linking tourism with local activities and experiences. The state of Chhattisgarh naturally has immense potential for wildlife tourism, agri tourism, medical tourism, rural tourism, adventure tourism, water tourism, etc.

Dongargarh, the pilgrimage place of Maa Bamleshwari, is being decorated afresh through the Prasad scheme brought for the renovation and infrastructure development of pilgrimage sites under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Under the Tribal Tourism Circuit, tourism facilities have been developed on the theme of eco-ethnic tourism in thirteen tourist destinations. Nature trail has been developed by Chhattisgarh Tourism Board in collaboration with the Forest Department in Chitrakote Bastar. It is being operated by women of the local women self-help group. They are also getting livelihood from this.

We are developing circuits connecting five Shaktipeeths in the state. Under Swadesh Darshan Yojana 2.0, tourist places of Bilaspur and Jagdalpur destinations will be developed.

The central government’s Swadesh Darshan Yojana will increase facilities for tourists at tourist places. Under this scheme, Mayali location of Jashpur district has also been selected among the main selected places of the country. I am confident that with your participation in this event, a new chapter will be added in the direction of tourism development of Chhattisgarh state and our state will register its special place in the map of global tourism.

In the program, a coffee table published in Hindi language by Chhattisgarh Tourism Board was released. An MoU was also signed between IRCTC and Chhattisgarh Tourism Board to promote tourism in Chhattisgarh and a postcard was released by the Postal Department. Chief Minister Shri Sai rewarded the winners of photography, writing, quiz and reels competition organized at Kalinga University. 

Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Shri Tankaram Verma, Tourism Department Secretary Shri Anbalgan P, Chhattisgarh Tourism Board Managing Director Shri Vivek Acharya, Director Postal Services Chhattisgarh Circle Shri Dinesh Mistry, Chhattisgarh Travel Trade Association President Shri Kapil Jain and people associated with the tourism and hospitality sector of Central India were present in the Central India Connect Marketplace program.