Punjab has great potential for tourism due to its rich culture, historical monuments, and diverse attractions. However, tourism in Punjab is still developing. A SWOT analysis identifies strengths such as cultural heritage and welcoming people, but also weaknesses like lack of promotion and infrastructure. Opportunities exist in areas like eco-tourism, while threats include security issues and competition. The government aims to double tourism by improving existing sites and developing new circuits, projects, and policies to realize Punjab's potential and grow the industry.
2. Introduction
Tourism is one of the world’s largest
economic sectors, Travel and Tourism
creates jobs, drives exports and
generates prosperity across the world.
Tourism in India has become an
important part of Indian economy that
is contributing to sustainable
development of the Country.
Diverse culture of India has exposed
international tourist to travel India.
3. Punjab is known as Bread Basket of
India as it contributes a lot in
agriculture industry ,is an agrarian
state.
Punjab is one of the states which is
having a very unique and rich culture.
Punjab is known as land of great
gurus, has a great heritage of famous
religious shrines, monuments, palaces
and historical embodiments ,wetlands
and a lot more to attract various types
of tourists.
4. Famous Travel Circuits
Punjab provides different circuits which provide
amalgamation of various tourists attractions. These
circuits are:
Amritsar circuit (Amritsar - Ram Tirath - Sarai Amanat
Khan -Wagha Border)
Pathankot circuit (Amritsar - Dera Baba Nanak - Qadian
-Kalanaur- Gurdaspur)
Jalandhar circuit (Amritsar - Tarntarn - Hari - Ke - Pattan
◦ Goindwal Sahib - Sultanpur Lodhi - Kapurthala Kanjli lake)
Jalandhar circuit (Amritsar - Baba Bakala - Kartarpur)
Chandigarh circuit (Chandigarh, Ropar (RupNagar) -
Anandpur Sahib, Bhakra- Nangal, Ropar)
5. New Circuits about to be
included
Sikh Circuit (Akal Takht in Amritsar, Sri
Keshgarh Sahib in Anandpur and Sri
Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo
Bhatinda district)
Eco tourism circuit (Chandigarh - Ropar -
Hoshiarpur - Talwara - Ranjit Sagar
Dam)
Heritage circuit (Nabha - Patiala -
Sangrur - Bhatinda - Faridkot -
Kapurthala)
Freedom trail (Patiala - Nabha -
Malerkotla - Jagraon - Ferozpur -
6. Growth and Performance of
Tourism in Punjab
Punjab hosted FAM (Familiarization)
tour for buyers coming for Incredible
India Tourism Mart which was held in
New Delhi between 16-19 September
2018.
Such events are making tourism
industry of India more competitive and
active participation of Punjab too.
8. Statistical Data
Over 10 million foreign tourists arrived
in India in 2017 as compared to 8.89
million in 2016, representing a growth
of 15.6%.
There is a tremendous increase every
year in domestic and foreign tourist
visits in Punjab.
In the year 2016 there were 6,59,736
FTA’S (Foreign tourist arrivals) and in
the year 2017 there were 11,08,635
9. So there is an increase of 4,48,899
more foreign tourists.
If we check the statistics of domestic
tourists in the year 2016 there were
3,87,03,325 DTA’S (Domestic tourist
arrivals) and in the year 2017 there
were 4,02,93,352 DTA’S. So every
year number is increasing rapidly.
10. SWOT Analysis of Punjab
Tourism
STRENGTHS
Rich in art and diverse culture
Lots of tourists places
Festivals
Historical monuments
Multi-cultural heritage
Tourists places for every category of tourists
Punjab can create a center of attention of
tourist throughout the year
Welcoming and Warm People
Good Infrastructure
11. WEAKNESSES
Safety and security
Lack of promotion of tourists places
Lack of funds
Lack of information channels
Lack of High level of tourism
Infrastructure
Lack of maintenance
Lack of cleanliness
12. OPPORTUNITIES
New Tourism Products and
Innovations
Eco Tourism
Farm Tourism
Local handicrafts and culture should
be promoted
13. THREATS
Threat of security and terrorist attacks
Competition with other States Jammu
& Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh,
Uttarakhand and Haryana
Long summer season also affects
tourism in Punjab
14. CURRENT TOURISM
PROJECTS
Punjab Government finalized a plan to
develop 30 places in the state as tourism and
culture hubs.
Punjab Government aims at doubling yearly
tourist influx in five years by creating new
infrastructure and improving the existing one.
The policy deals with various aspects of
tourism, including human resource
development, marketing and promotion, rural
tourism and infrastructure development,
medical tourism, heritage tourism and film
tourism.
15. CONCLUSION
In a nut shell the Punjab state is gifted
with a wealth of plethora of amazing
tourists places that can get the attention
of domestic as well as foreign tourists.
Punjab Tourism needs more
development and high level of
infrastructure for gaining the attention of
tourists. Thus, the Punjab government
should scrutinize the strengths and
weakness of Punjab tourism industry and
should seize the upcoming opportunities.