Farmers Movement Archive

Time to tap potential of rural tourism: Experts

With tourism sector taking a hit in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, the Tourism Department and the district administration should chalk out strategies to promote authentic Punjabi rural tourism, said experts.Tourist sites, including Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, Durgiana Temple, Gobindgarh Fort, Sadda Pind and War Museum are situated within the city. These sites offer not more than two-night stay to tourists. As a result, youth from rural areas in the district had not been able to get any benefit. Though an attempt was made by introducing an amphibious bus in Hari Ke Pattan wetland, it too failed to attract tourist.Started during the fag end of the SAD-BJP tenure by the then Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, the project was labeled unremunerative by the Congress government.Rameshinder Singh Sandhu, a freelance travel writer, said, “As I hail from rural Punjab, it allowed me to understand its real charm and beauty. I have always felt that little has been done to promote ‘rural tourism’, which can offer far richer experiences to tourists.”Considering the stunning countryside, known for its natural beauty –sightseeing tours can be commenced, which would be an introduction to exhibition of nature, he said.“Then there are several villages, which boast of rich history, memorials and monuments. Efforts must be made to promote them. Take Bhakna for instance, village from where freedom fighter Sohan Singh Bhakna –founder of Ghadar Party or the age-old Sarai Amant Khan, which thankfully is well preserved with its Mughal architecture. It was once a popular stop for rest as it was on a main road to Lahore.”In addition, certain houses can also be chosen, which showcase their old age charm. Let’s not forget that real culture and its vibes are in the villages. Hence, whenever tourism returns, it will be great to see rural tourism being promoted as much as possible, Sandhu said.He said scope for farm stays, cultural experience in form of folk festivals, rural sports, nature walks, food crafts and handicrafts and community development could be featured in rural tourism.APS Chatha, president, Amritsar Hotel and Restaurant Association, said potential of rural tourism as main driver of economic growth and employment generation to address rural poverty and weaning away youth from drugs cannot be ruled out.Developing village-based tourism destinations would give tourists an experience of real countryside, reflecting historical and cultural ethos of Punjabi lifestyle and its traditions. It could focus on authentic cuisine, folk dances, crafts, and handicrafts.Gursharan Singh, District Tourism Officer, said, “The Tourism Department organises seminars and workshops to promote and awaken people towards rural tourism.”He said they had already launched farm tourism. Under the scheme, four farmhouses, including Chahal Tree Farm House in Jagdev Kalan village, Ranjit Villas on the Airport Road, Green Acre on the Airport Road and Farmer Villas, on the Fatehgarh Churriyan Road were listed. He said before the lockdown, tourists used to visit these farmhouses to enjoy countryside experience.As far as planning for increasing the area of farm tourism is concerned the matter pertains to the head office.

The Tribune

2020-08-22

Amritsar