Punjab govt fails to promote tourism, Spin any profit

Lily

B.R
Staff member
Chandigarh March 31:

The Punjab Government and the Chandigarh Administration have apparently failed to spin profits out of a business opportunity thrown their way. As the authorities kept sitting in the pavilion without doing much to promote tourism, they lost the profit-making game without even playing t.

Completely bowled out to take advantage of one-big chance of earning profit, both the authorities have done nothing to offer anything to the visitors for this international sporting event. At the time when Mohali — the growing city of Punjab and twin sister of Chandigarh-is gaining attention of the world with visitors thronging Chandigarh and Mohali from across the globe, the authorities concerned have failed to utilise the available infrastructure to make an impression among the visitors.

No effort was made to display the cultural and experiential aspect of the cities, neither at the stadium nor anywhere in the city. In reality, the visitors will cherish nothing from this part of the region. Playing on the front foot are only the hotels that have tried to cash in on the opportunity by rolling out the red-carpet for the expected spectators. Styling their décor and also the menu-cards with cricket, the hotels and restaurants had tried to capitalize on generating profits for them.
Coming to the rescue at the last moment, the Chandigarh Administration woke up to make last minute arrangements for the guests by making plans for their lodging facilities by roping in volunteered residents. But what else? Apart from the City Beautiful’s landmarks-Rose Garden, Rock Garden etc, the twin cities have nothing much to display. After coming on the global map, the cities, on the face of it, have lost the opportunity to display the real culture, heritage that can attract many more.

Including the much-hyped semifinal clash between India and Pakistan, the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) has played host to as many as three matches, including the teams of South Africa, Netherlands, Ireland, and West Indies. But to the disappointment of the spectators coming from these countries, they have nothing more to the savour and share back home. Caught unawares by the sudden decision of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to invite his Pakistan counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani to witness the historic clash, the concerned authorities failed to take advantage of the opportunity.

With distinguished dignitaries flocking the cities at the last moment, the authorities were in a fix to make security arrangements for them. It appears that authorities have woken up a bit too late to realize the importance of the big sporting event. Those who had to come to see the matches, could not extended their one-day trip to the city further, in the absence of much to their pleasure. On the face of it, the big sporting bonanza has turned out to be a maiden over for the twin cities.

 
Top