<div><em><strong>The state government is planning to launch a TV commercial later this year to promote tourism, reports Arshad Khan</strong></em></div><div> </div><div>Chhattisgarh has witnessed a steady increase in number of foreign tourists visiting the state despite Naxal violence. The Raman Singh-led BJP government is leaving no stone unturned to develop the state into an ideal tourist destination.</div><div> </div><div>State tourism minister Dayal Das Bhagel said, "We are working to change the perception that tourists face security concerns in the state. The state along with the central government has been successful in tackling extremism in the Naxal belts by deploying sufficient security concerns and also by bringing development in the region."</div><div> </div><div>The state government was planning to set up a five star hotel in Raipur to attract more foreign as well as domestic tourists, the minister added.</div><div> </div><div>"At present we have 48 convenient hotels and motels. We are planning to set-up a five star hotel for foreign tourists in Raipur," Bhagel said. </div><div> </div><div>In 2014, the state attracted 7,700 international tourists. </div><div> </div><div>The state government has allocated Rs 52 crore form its annual budget for tourism development. </div><div> </div><div>Chhattisgarh will also receive Rs 90-100 crore from Union Minister of State for Tourism Mahesh Sharma under the Swadesh Darshan Yojana to develop tourism in tribal circuit.</div><div> </div><div>Asked about how tourism in the state developed after bifurcation from Madhya Pradesh, Bhagel said, "MP's tourism was more confined to central region. We are working very hard to position Chhattisgarh on the global map." </div><div> </div><div>The state government is planning to launch a TV commercial later this year and has been promoting state tourism in Railways and other major tourist destinations.</div><div> </div><div>Carved out from MP in 2000, the state has abundance of attractions. Chitrakoot Falls which is often referred as the Niagara Falls of India for its similar horse-shoe shape is the largest waterfalls in the country. The tribal belt of Bastar and Dantewada provides an experience of a lifetime for travellers to interact with people residing in one of the remotest place on earth.<br> </div><div>The state government has set aside Rs 5,183 crore for road sector and a massive Rs 11,000 for infrastructure sector. The government is sure that the huge allocations will act as a catalyst to boost tourism. </div><div> </div><div>Chhattisgarh is planning to organise the famous Shirpur Mela which attracts a lot of tourists and devotees to showcase the real ethnicity of the state.</div>
