With Newsletter of Vibrant Gujarat stay updated with the latest news, information, updates and activities. Your preferred investment destination, Vibrant Gujarat is adding milestones with newer development initiatives.

1. I am glad to be a part of this edition of the newsletter. This edition is specifically focused on tourism. We will try to give an overview of tourism sector in Gujarat and the development that have taken place over the last few years.
Recently, Gujarat tourism bagged three national awards in several categories - best tourism film, innovative use of information and tech- nology and the best state for comprehensive development of tourism in the country. Prior to this, the state has been awarded and recognized for its initiatives and efforts un- dertaken for tourism devel- opment.
Awards always enthuse, but the true recognition of efforts comes from the tourists footfall. This time for the second consecutive year the state has witnessed an increase of tourist inflow. The number of tourists visiting Gujarat during 2011-12 was 22 million which is 2.5 million more over the previous year and the growth is double the national average of tourist inflow.
This increase in tourist footfall can be largely attributed to the „Khushboo Gujarat Ki‟ campaign featuring Amitabh Bachchan. It was launched by our Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd (TCGL) two years ago and became one of the most successful campaigns.
Apart from this Gujarat Tourism has also adopted a multi- pronged strategy to promote some of the world class tourist desti- nations in the state. Firstly, by creating common infrastructure like excellent connectivity by roads and trains, security apparatus, information centres, sanitation and other facilities to ensure ade- quate safety and comfort of the tourists. Secondly and most im- portantly, by focusing on the PPP mode to rope in the private sector to invest in Gujarat by setting up commercial ventures like hotels and resorts.
The state offers diverse experience to the tourists through its large number of tourism destinations. It offers everything in the tourism landscape including ancient heritage sites, magnificent temples, exiting wild life, white pristine desert and exquisite handicrafts. Being bestowed with one of the longest coastlines, it also offers the experience of beach / coastal tourism. All these factors together have contributed to the success of tourism sector in Gujarat.
We will take you through the details of tourism development in the state and the activities of the nodal agency driving it in the subsequent sections.
We have been and are committed to provide the best in class tourism experience. Hereby I welcome you to experience warm hospitality of Gujarat!
From The Desk
Vibrant Gujarat 2013
Industrial Extension Bureau Gujarat
Fact File
 Gujarat bagged the Pacific Travel Writer‟s Association Award (PATWA) for “Best Destination for Cultural Festivals” at the ITB Berlin 2013.
 Gujarat featured in the famous Lonely Planet magazine‟s list of World‟s 10 Unsung Places and also won the PATA Gold Award in 2012
Inside this issue:
Gujarat Updates
2
Focal Point
4
Partners in Growth
6
Contacts
7
Mr. Vipul Mittra, IAS
Principal Secretary- Tour- ism, Pilgrimage, Devasthan and Civil Aviation
Government of Gujarat
April-May 2013
Issue 20

2. Kandla Port to play key role in up gradation and operation of Iran’s Chabahar Port
May 24, 2013
Indigo airline team to visit Surat
May 18, 2013
Indigo Airline plans to carry out an exercise to check whether there is enough traffic to launch a flight connecting Surat to Mumbai. Indigo‟s higher officials plans to visit Surat during June and hold meetings with industry, trade bodies etc for stakeholder consultations. This exercise will help in determining the viability for providing air travel services between Mumbai & Su- rat.
Surat is the second largest city of Gujarat and is presently connected to airports of rest of India through services of Indian Airlines and Spice Jet.
NRIs travelling to and from Europe, United States, UK etc to Surat do not have connecting domestic flights to Mumbai. If viable, this move will provide the domestic air connectivity to these travelers.
Gujarat Updates
Page 2
Government of India and Government of Iran are discussing possibilities of taking over the Chabahar port. Recently, a delegation of Iran ambassador to India visited Kandla Port.
The Port of Chabahar is a seaport in Chabahar in southeastern Iran. Its loca- tion lies on the border of Indian Ocean and Oman Sea. It is the only Iranian port with direct access to ocean.
Government of India believes that Chabahar Port will be helpful not only for trade purpose, but also for strategic purpose related to region‟s security. China has taken over Gwadar port of Pakistan nearby, and Chabahar will be a perfect place to keep watch over Gwadar.
Construction work for Dholera SIR to start in next 6 months
May 16, 2013
According to Mr. Amitabh Kant, CEO and MD of Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (DMICDC), the construction work on Dholera SIR should start within the next 6 months.
Town planning for two of the total six phases (152 sq km of 540 sq km developable city) with an estimated cost of Rs 70,000 crore is completed and the remaining four phases are envisaged to be completed over rest of the year. 105 sq km land for the first phase is already procured through land pooling.
DMICDC will first build the trunk infrastructure (roads, sewerage, power lines) with funding from the government and con- cessional financing from the government of Japan. After construction of a part of the trunk infrastructure —100 km of road/utilities are to be awarded in Dholera within the year
Chabahar port is surrounded by a free trade zone and is strategically located on north-south transit corridor. Pakistan does not allow transit facility from India to Afghanistan. This port can help India to reach Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan.
The Government of India plans to invest USD 10 crore to develop the port and start operating multiple cargo and container terminal. While the job of multiple cargo handling will be assigned to Kandla Port Trust, the container terminal will be taken care of by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust.

3. For the first time in India, Kandla Port successfully handles Cape size vessel
May 13, 2013
United States of America to open business corner in Surat
May 03, 2013
The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) envisages signing an MoU with U.S. Foreign Commercial Service International Trade Administration in presence of American Consul General Peter Haas. Mr. Haas would be inaugurating the American Business Corner in Surat during the same.
According to Chamber President Paresh Patel, America will scout for possibilities of trade with small and medium scale industries through this center. The American corner office will operate from next to SGCCI‟s NRG centre.
Gujarat Updates
Page 3
Kandla Port this month created history by handling cape size vessel mv Copper Smith of 79,694 mts GRT carrying 1,37,537 mts imported coal for Mr D.P. Singh, Sara International and M/s Swiss Singapore Dubai.
The unloading process of coal began at 9 pm on 30th April, 2013 and completed at 12.00 in midnight on 10th of May, 2013 by Rishi shipping company through barge operation. It is for the first time that Cape size ship has been handled at any major port of India. The vessel discharged full quantity of 1,37,537 mts at outer anchorage Kandla Port.
Capesize ships are cargo ships originally too large to transit the Suez Canal (i.e., larger than both Panamax and Suezmax vessels). They are typically above 150,000 long tons deadweight (DWT), and ships in this class include bulk carriers transporting coal, ore, and other commodity raw materials.
Osamu Suzuki meets Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Narendra Modi
April 26, 2013
Suzuki Motors Corporation Chairman Shri Osamu Suzuki met Hon‟ble Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Narendra Modi in Gandhinagar. He told Chief Min- ister that construction work for Suzuki‟s Bechraji car manufacturing unit will start soon. Further, Maruti Suzuki India Limited Chairman Shri RC Bhargav said that company‟s Governing Board has given its approval for starting Bechraji plant.
Maruti Suzuki company‟s Managing Director Shri. K. Auyakawa, Director S. Nakanishi, Gujarat government‟s Additional Chief Secretary (Industries and Mines) Shri. M. Sahu, Chief Minister‟s Additional Chief Secretary Shri K. Kailashnathan, Additional Secretary Shri AK Sharma, Industry Commissioner Shri Kamal Dayani, Ahmedabad Collector Shri Rupvantsinh and Gujarat Government‟s Resident Commissioner Shri Bharat Lal also attended the meet- ing.

4. Focal Point
Page 4
Gujarat Tourism’s winning streak of laurels and awards
Gujarat offers a lot to an avid traveler. Apart from being the abode of the majestic Asiatic Lion, Gujarat offers everything in the tourism landscape including ancient heritage sites, magnificent temples, exiting wild life, white pristine desert and exquisite handicrafts. Gujarat is also bestowed with one of the longest coast lines in India and thus has a lot to offer on the front of beach / coastal tourism.
Gujarat is home to India’s most vibrant and colourful festivals like Navratri, Tarnetar, Rann Utsav and International Kite Festival.
Gujarat is fast emerging as a popular tourist destination. For a second year running, the state witnessed an increase of tourist inflow. It saw 2.5 million more tourists in 2011-12. The number of tourists visiting Gujarat during 2011-12 was 22 million; the number was about 19 million in 2010-2011. This is double the national average of tourist inflow. This data was compiled by Gujarat Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organization Limited (GITCO) after analyzing the actual field data of hotel occupancy rate in the state, particularly night stays by the guests.
This increase in tourist footfall is being attributed to the „Khushboo Gujarat ki‟ campaign featuring Amitabh Bachchan launched by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd (TCGL) two years ago.
In 2005-06, Gujarat spent Rs. 30 crore on tourism. In 2013, it has been increased to Rs. 500 crore. Gujarat Tourism is soon launching a joint venture company with an initial equity basket of Rs. 100 Crore known as GUJ-TOUR which would develop tourism assets across the State.
Consistent with its spectacular track record, Gujarat Tourism has bagged three National Tourism Awards.
Mr. Saurabhbhai Patel, Minister for Tourism, Gujarat and Mr. Sanjay Kaul, MD, TCGL, received the awards from Hon‟ble President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, on 18 March 2013, in New Delhi. Union Tourism Minister Mr. Chiranjeevi was presented on the occasion. An elated Mr. Narendra Modi said "Delighted to share that Gujarat has won 3 prestigious National Awards in Tourism!"
Gujarat, known for its splendid culture, has been chosen by The International Council of Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) as the "Best Destination for Cultural Festivals".
The award was announced at the annual ITB Berlin Convention held recently. Incidentally, Gujarat was also accorded the "Best Emerging Tourism Des- tination" award at the annual ITB Berlin Convention 2012.
PATWA is the world's biggest travel writers' organisation, having members from 70 countries. It organises international awards every year at the ITB Ber- lin, which is the world's biggest travel fair, attended by exhibitors from 180 countries and more than 7,000 journalists.
The PATWA award is given to recognise governments, individuals and organi- sations involved in the promotion of tourism.
The PATWA award was given by Frederic Pierret, Executive Director, United Nations World Tourism Or- ganisation (UNWTO)
 The state government’s scintillating tourism cam- paign, "Khushboo Gujarat Ki", featuring the actor Mr. Amitabh Bachchan, received the prestigious National Tourism Award 2011-12 in the category of Award of Excellence - Best Tourism Film.
 Gujarat was adjudged the third best state in the cate- gory of Comprehensive Development of Tour- ism.
 Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TCGL) re- ceived the award for most innovative use of Infor- mation Technology.

5. Focal Point
Page 5
Apart from the National Awards, Gujarat has won two coveted awards– Best Tourism Board by CNBC Travel Awards-2012 and Runners up award for best emerging destination in India by Conde Nast Traveller. Besides, Lonely Planet voted Gujarat as one of the 10 most unsung places in the world.
Khushboo Gujarat Ki
Gujarat Tourism has launched "Khushboo Gujarat Ki" campaign, with Mr. Amitabh Bachchan as its brand ambassador, to promote various tourist destinations and to uphold rich culture and tradition of the state. The promotional campaign has spurred tourist influx to Gujarat with an increase of 54 lakh visitors in the last two years. It has also enabled Gu- jarat Tourism to market key destinations of the state in a big way.
Mr. Vipul Mittra, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Government of Gujarat, said that the increase in tourist flow for the second year in a row was encouraging. He said: “The fact that 54 lakh tourists were drawn by the state in just two years proved that the campaign featuring Amitabh Bach- chan was one of the most successful in the recent times.”
Comprehensive Development of Tourism
Gujarat Tourism has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to promote some of the world class tourist destinations in the state. Firstly, it has created infrastructure facilities like excellent connectivity by roads and trains, security apparatus in place, in- formation centres, sanitation and other amenities to ensure safety and comfort of the tourists. Secondly, leveraging the PPP mode, it has roped in the private sector to invest in Gujarat by setting up commercial ventures like hotels and resorts.
 Gujarat Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd. and India Oil Corporation have signed a special Memorandum of Under- standing (MoU) on 07 March 2013. Now Tourists can get information and support on highways. This is the first instance in the entire country wherein such an agreement has been entered into to promote tourism. This MoU will establish new benchmarks for tourism facilities in the country. Every IOC facility will have tourism extension services. It is envisaged that such facilities will be available every 100 kms on National Highways and every 75 kms on State Highways. Work is expected to begin in the next six months towards this end. A complete, prosperous and safe destination like Gujarat with its agreement with IOC will provide even better facilities to the tourists visiting Gujarat.
 The Eco Tourism Centres (ETCs) at forest reserves that are emerging as tourism hotspots in central Gujarat are likely to get a major facelift. MoUs have been signed between private parties and the state government to develop these ETCs on the PPP model. Such collaborations are expected to bring in professionalism in the management of these centres. Private players will work in tandem with the Eco Development Committees (EDCs), provide them training, improve infra- structure at the centres and market these destinations.
 The Gujarat government will offer incentives to Bollywood film producers if shooting is done in the tourism destinations of Gujarat.

6.  To promote tourism and to adopt such methods and devices desirable and nec- essary to increase awareness around state‟s tourism assets by providing tourist cen- ters, tourist information centers and also by producing, distributing, selling tourist publicity materials.
 To acquire and take over any of tourist homes, bungalows, cottages, rest houses, guest houses, holiday camps, picnic spot, places, hotels and such other places owned, developed and/or managed either by the Govt. of Gujarat or by the pri- vate bodies and to run the same in a efficient manner.
 To take over established, developed, improved, manage and organize places of tourist interest including pilgrimage cen- ters, hill resorts, beaches, coastal tours, health resorts, scenic beauties, dam sites, picnic spot, mountain peaks, safari parks, national parks, centuries and selected tourist areas etc. in the state of Gujarat and elsewhere.
 To take over, manage, promote and develop existing hotels and or improve, run and maintain hotels, motels, canteens, cafeterias, restaurants, traveler's lodges, guest houses, and other places for the purpose of boarding, lodging and stay of tourists.
Principal Objectives
Partners in Growth - Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd
Page 6
Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd. (TCGL) was established in the year 1975, with an objective to de- velop tourism in Gujarat. A service oriented organization set up by the state Government, TCGL is the main Nodal Agency in the state for all the promotional, commercial and development of tourism activities. TCGL conducts package tours and also has a network of 18 accommodation units and 5 cafeterias spread across the state. TCGL also has its own fleet of luxury coaches and cars. Popular festivals and events like Kutch Festival, Tarnetar Festival, International Kite Festival, Navratri festival are organized by TCGL to promote tourism in the state.
The Governing Body of TCGL is headed by the Chairman - Shri Kamleshbhai Patel along with another full time officer from the elite Indian Administrative Services designated as the Managing Director.
Key contact: marketing@gujarattourism.com
 A Joint Venture Company (JVC) has been formed with IL&FS IDC for undertaking de- velopment of tourism projects under the PPP format. Development plan for six tourist desti- nations by the Pilgrimage Development Board of Gujarat. A second is proposed.
 Constitution of the Tourism Promotion Council.
 Reduction of entertainment tax from 50 to 25 per cent, year 2006 onwards
 TCGL-AMA Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Management started at Ahmedabad with a corpus of Rs. 15 lakh where a one year diploma in Tourism and Hospitality Management has been initiated. The Institute of Hotel Management has been declared as a Centre of Excellence.
 Several initiatives have been taken for marketing and promotion as follows:
 The TCGL website now offers a choice of seven languages
 Tours are organised for tour operators, column writers and travel journalists. Regular road shows are held at all major Indian cities.
 Tourism Information Bureaus have opened at Jaipur and 14 Tourist Reception Bureaus opened at State Transport (ST) bus stations.
 Signages are put up at all important destinations.
TCGL was awarded the “India Pride Award 2013” as a state PSU under the category 'India Image En- hancement/Creating a Global Brand'. Its 'Khusboo Gujarat Ki' campaign
TCGL Initiatives
From the Desk of Managing Director, TCGL - Mr. Sanjay Kaul, IAS
“Gujarat tourism has done extremely well in the last two years. We have annual traffic growth of around 16 per cent, a marketing campaign that has caught everybody's attention and few national and international awards The Tourism department is taking efforts to promote Gujarat as the most preferred tourist destination in India through various initiatives, and the department will roll out a comprehensive tourism policy in 2013, with focus on developing innovative tourism segments, and creating employment opportunities”

7. About iNDEXTb
iNDEXTb, a Government of Gujarat organization, is one stop shop for setting up business in Gujarat. iNDEXTb has several objectives which include providing infor- mation to the public in general and entrepreneurs regarding opportunities avail- able in the state of Gujarat for industry, commerce, trade and business openings. It also takes special steps to organize young qualified persons interested in indus- trial activities and development and undertake propagative measures to acceler- ate industrial development in Gujarat. Organizing, sponsoring, associating and participating in fairs, exhibitions, celebrations and campaigns for promotion of industrial development in Gujarat is another specific objective of the organization. iNDEXTb also publishes literature in the form of papers, case studies, reports, brochures, pamphlets, periodicals, digests, journals, project profiles or magazines and distributes to the users, prospective entrepreneurs, artisans and other institu- tions. It also assists other institutions engaged in such activities.
Block No 18 2nd Floor, Udyog Bhavan Sector 11, Gandhinagar - 382010 Gujarat, India
Phone:
+91 79 232 50492
+91 79 232 50493
+91 79 232 56592
Fax
+91 79 232 50490
Mail us on
indextb@indextb.com
Find us on the Web:
www.indextb.com
www.vibrantgujarat.com
Industrial Extension Bureau
Knowledge Partner
vibrant.gujarat.2013@in.pwc.com