Transforming White Elephant to a Racing Horse..

Formula G2 X2... Gear up Gujarat with XX power!!

Ancient Queens Necklace from House of Marigold by Shilpa Choksi

Moving towards revival, FICCI FLO under the leadership of Paavni Bakeri and guidance of Anil Mulchandani organised an event, "Heritage tourism in Gujarat - towards socio economic development". The event under FLO ladies wing was an effort to bring forward the women in royal families who have been always and are playing key role in preserving the heritage and culture of state which has been passed to us from centuries by our forefathers.

After Ahmedabad has been declared as the first Heritage city of India by UNESCO, Amitabh Bachchan the Brand Ambassador of Gujarat...so many Vibrant seasons gone; the responsibility of the state authorities and those connected with tourism heightens furthermore to gear up and plug in the gaps between past and future.. in order be ready to meet the evolving needs of future traveler, that too as per global hospitality standards.

Coming to the gaps, stalwarts from heritage and hospitality industry were present at the event at Renaissance Hotel, who shared their views in order to address the challenges and gear up for future. Shri Nasir Rafique, Advisor of SIHM Siddhpur and Former Principal of IHM Ahmedabad, Anil Mulchandani, P.K Ghosh, P. K Vasudevan, Mr. Debashish Nayak, Dr. Mangraj,  Parul Zaveri, Radhika Raje, Poonam & Ashish Trambadia, Katie Bhujwala, Aaliya Babi, Sanyukta Kumari & Chirashree Thakkar along with other leading personalities shared their experiences and opinions for way forward.

The biggest irony for Gujarat despite of having all positive aspects in it's kitty i.e Gir Lion, largest coastline, desert along with age old precious heritage, the income from tourism is in doldrums while the neighboring state, Rajasthan leads on same front, rather Gujarat is another big contributor.. Answer probably is quite obvious; Liquor Prohibition.

Apart from just prohibition, high attrition rates in HR, lack of skill set, low inclination on working preference are some of the key issues. Radhika Lalbhai shared her views on the income generated by museums in India, which is whooping low compared to any international destination, both because of lack of interest, development and awareness. Maharani Radhika Raje strongly shared her challenges and opinions on Lakshmi Vilas palace, despite of the magnanimous structure cannot be brought in lines with Buckingham Palace... prohibition being one major especially when one has to cater to International tourists.  Maharanni Samyukta Kumari of Bhavnagar also delivered her speech as to how they have been able to preserve a 2000 year old heritage. 

The leading ladies or the queens managing heritage properties addressed their challenges on various other issues in a group discussion convened by Preeti Singh. Maharani Mandakini Kumari, Maharani Chandra Kumari, Deepali Patel, Farzana Qadri, Yr. Vidhatri Uteliya, Bhavna Kumari & Kr. Asha Kumari were present in the Panel discussion.

Solution: Beginning has to be made somewhere, therefore some of the stepping stones are being taken by Nawabzada Sultan Salauddin Khan Babi of Balsinor to build the foundation and strengthen the roots are :

1. Heritage Association : a group of specialists and property owners who shall work together 

2. www.gujaratheritagetourism.com : A website which shall also suggest various heritage circuits to both national and international travelers

Paavni Bakeri and FLO, with Queens and Speakers.. that XX power