The Punjab tourism department is promoting a rich rural experience for tourists in its villages as a new area of revenue generation in the state. The department got the ?Best Innovative Product? for its concept of ?Farm Tourism? at the travel and tourism fair organised in Hyderabad earlier this month.
The department had introduced the farm tourism scheme in January 2009 to promote Punjab as the perfect destination for farm holidays, where visitors are hosted by local people inviting them to experience their food, culture and tradition. These farm houses provide clean, hygienic environment friendly facilities for the comfort of visitors, which meet the standards defined by Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB).
The tourist will be able to enjoy activities like rural games, organic farming, cow milking, kite flying, handicraft making (phulkari and other handicrafts), cart rides, tractor rides, homemade authentic Punjabi food, village safaris, interaction with local community, natural surroundings and pollution free atmosphere at non-commercialised area to name a few.
Talking to FE, secretary cum director, tourism and cultural affairs, Punjab, DP Reddy, said, ?The UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) which prepared a master plan for tourism for the state had strongly recommended promotion of farm tourism in Punjab.?AMO Communication, hired to improve the brand image of the state also suggested in the potential of farm tourism in the state should be exploited to the hilt.?
? 23 farm houses have been approved in various districts of the state under three categories, silver, gold and diamond by a screening committee comprising representative from PHTPB, respective district administration, Institute of Hotel Management, Gurdaspur, and cooperative bank societies at respective district?, he added.