It was a carnival of vibrant colours, traditional Punjabi hospitality, and meaningful deliberations at the first Punjab Tourism Summit and Travel Mart held in Mohali, Punjab between the 11th and 13th of September 2023. The objective of the event was to reimagine Punjab Tourism and showcase destinations beyond Amritsar. The energy and indomitable spirit of Punjab serenaded delegates and visitors to the event, right from the arrival gates of the Shahid Bhagat Singh International Airport, Chandigarh.

Rangla Punjab – The Spirit Of Punjab

The curtain raiser dinner and cultural programme on the eve of the Punjab Tourism Summit and Travel Mart was an indication of the shape of things to come for the delegates to the event. A colourful performance of Punjabi Folk Music and Dance enthralled the audience. A range of traditional musical instruments and the famed robust folk dances of Punjab left the audience asking for more. Spread over 3 days, the event showcased the vibrant heritage and culture of Punjab, as well as destinations beyond Amritsar.

Punjab Tourism Summit And Travel Mart- Curtain Raiser

The moment we alighted at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Mohali, Punjab, we were serenaded by the rhythm of the bewitching music and dance of Punjab. The day prior to the Punjab Tourism Summit and Travel Mart, we were part of a gala dinner organized for the delegates at the Radisson Red Chandigarh Mohali.

A delectable feast of the best of Punjabi cuisine was part of a massive dinner buffet. However, before that, a colourful cultural extravaganza had the audience spellbound.

A group of Punjabi musicians and dancers led by renowned Punjabi Music artists Shri Vijay Yamala and Shri Tarsem Chand Kalehri, Director of Kalehri Art and Culture Academy, had the audience on their feet and dancing. It was an enlightening and enlivening experience for the audience, as some of the rare musical instruments of Punjab were demonstrated on stage.

The scintillating performance of the evening set the tone for the Punjab Tourism Summit and Travel Mart that kicked off, the next day at Amity University, Punjab.

Day One of Punjab Tourism Summit And Travel Mart | Punjab Travel Mart

All roads in Chandigarh seemed to lead to Amity University, the venue of the first Punjab Tourism Summit and Travel Mart. Colourful flags fluttered along the path that led to the venue. The venue was decked up in vibrant colours for the occasion.

The Punjab Tourism Summit and Travel Mart began in the presence of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Punjab, Shri Bhagwant Mann; Tourism Minister of Punjab, Ms Anmol Gagan Maan; Shri Anurag Verma, Chief Secretary, Punjab; Ms Rakhee Gupta Bhandari, Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs; and other ministers and MLA’s. Celebrities including Kapil Sharma, Ahsaan Quereshi, and Sunil Pal, also graced the event with their august presence.

The event began with the inaugural address by Mr Anurag Verma, IAS, Chief Secretary, Punjab, who welcomed the delegates to the Punjab Tourism Summit. This was followed by a detailed presentation about the tourism potential of Punjab by Ms Rakhee Gupta Bhandari, Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs.

“We have an unwavering commitment to transform Punjab into an unforgettable experience for every traveller, and it is a great honour that I stand before you today to kickstart this incredible journey of reimagining our beloved land’s tourism sector,” said Ms Rakhee Bhandari in her presentation. She showcased the untapped tourism potential of Punjab through an excellent audio-visual presentation, that brought alive the vibrant colours of Punjab, RANGLA PUNJAB.

“Punjab is well known in terms of Religious Tourism, with more than 1.5 Lakh people visiting Amritsar’s Golden temple daily, however, now Punjab is opening its doors to other tourist circuits,” said Tourism Minister of Punjab, Ms Anmol Maan. She went on to add that, patriotism was in the air in Punjab, and Border Tourism was a niche with great potential, apart from other sectors including Adventure Tourism, Wellness Tourism, Eco-Tourism, and Wedding Tourism.

Chief Minister Shri Bhagwant Mann welcomed the delegates and said that the state had much to offer the discerning traveller. He encouraged more and more people to visit Punjab and experience the legendary warmth and hospitality of the Punjabis. In his address, the Chief Minister also announced the setting up of a “Celebration Point,” in Amritsar. This would be ideal for celebrations of all kinds including weddings and birthdays.

Ace comedian Kapil Sharma also spoke on the occasion. However, he spoke on a serious note about Punjab and its tremendous tourism potential. Noted comedian Sunil Pal also spoke on the occasion. Other speakers included Mr A.V. Rao, Vice President of Publicity at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad.

Thematic Knowledge Sessions At The Punjab Tourism Summit And Punjab Travel Mart

Punjab’s music and dance as well as the presence of celebrities added glitter to the event, however, there was also serious discussion and knowledge exchange at the Punjab Tourism Summit and Travel Mart 2023 in Mohali, Punjab, India.

There were sessions dedicated to different themes of tourism with a focus on Punjab. The sessions consisted of panel discussions in which eminent industry and thought leaders participated and shared their insights with the think tank of Punjab Tourism. The themes that were covered in the session included Religious and Wedding Tourism, Wellness Tourism, Hinterland and Culinary Tourism, Heritage Tourism, as well as Media and Entertainment which included Film Tourism. Prominent panellists included the likes of Indian actor and model, Sargun Mehta and Bobby Bedi, a well-known film producer and director.

Punjab Travel Mart And Exhibition

A simulated, typical rural milieu provided an ideal backdrop for the travel mart, where the sellers of travel-related services had their stalls. Women dressed in traditional Punjabi attire could be seen churning butter, spinning yarn, and embroidering.

An elderly gentleman complete with a turban and white moustache relaxed on a charpoy, simulating a typical scene from rural Punjab.

The vendors who had their stalls at the Travel Mart were from across a wide spectrum of the travel domain.

There were hospitality companies, logistics companies, and companies offering niche tourism circuits like Military Heritage Tourism, Wedding Planners, and Travel DMCs.

Cultural Programme At Punjab Tourism Summit and Travel Mart 2023

The evening saw a scintillating cultural programme that showcased the best of Punjabi music and dance.

The dances that set the stage on fire included the lesser-known, but enchanting Sammi dance, which was a visual feast.

There is so much more to Punjabi Folk dance and music, than the iconic Bhangra. The colourful and enchanting Sammi Dance has its origins in Western Punjab, now in Pakistan. It is a dance that is performed by the women of the Baazigar, Rai, Lobana and Sansi tribes.

Another captivating dance that mesmerized the audience was the Jhumar dance. This dance originates in the Sandal Bar region of Punjab, which is now in Pakistan. The region between the rivers Chenab and Ravi is known as Sandal Bar.

The high-energy Luddi dance performance, had the audience tapping their feet in approval. The dancers enthralled everyone with their energetic and rhythmic dance moves. Luddi is a traditional folk dance of Punjab that is performed by both men and women. It is in essence a dance of victory or celebration and is performed at weddings and other events.

The evening scaled sublime heights with the melodious voices of Sardar Avtar Singhji and Dr Nivedita Singh, they regaled the audience with a blend of Punjabi classical and folk music.

The Grand Finale of The Punjab Tourism Summit –

Rangla Punjab

The first Punjab Tourism Summit and Travel Mart 2023 ended with a grand finale. Curtains on the event came down with a gala networking dinner and cultural programme. It was a glittering evening when the stars of Punjab descended on earth. The presence of the cast of the new Punjabi film, “Buhe Buriyan,” including Neeru Bajwa and Nirmal Rishi, added glamour to the proceedings. Also present was Indian singer and actress Afsana Khan.

The delegates to the summit were thrilled to listen to the melodies of Harbhajan Shera and Bir Singh live. The songs of Harbhajan Shera had the audience energized and tapping their feet.

On the other hand the soulful renderings by singer, composer, and lyricist, Bir Singh, connected with the hearts of the audience, who loved every moment of the performances.

The Punjab Tourism Summit and Travel Mart 2023 came to an end, having showcased the rich tapestry of Punjab’s culture, heritage, and cuisine to the world.

It also shone the spotlight on destinations beyond Amritsar and opened its doors wide to travellers from across the globe to experience a slice of Rangla Punjab. The event also opened fresh avenues for the travel trade to explore in terms of tourism potential in Punjab.

We hope you found our post about the Punjab Tourism Summit interesting and exciting, and are already planning to script your own Punjab adventure. Do let us know if you need any further information.

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Our visit to Mohali, Punjab was organized by Punjab Tourism – Punjab Government to promote tourism in Punjab. The views and opinions expressed in this blog post are our own. #punjabtourismsummit2023 #Punjab #VisitPunjab #PunjabTourism #PunjabTravelSummit #PunjabTravelMart

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