The Union Minister for Tourism, Kumari Selja today held an interaction with the captains of the tourism industry in the country. She highlighted the proactive role of the Ministry in order to counter the negative impact of the global recession as well as to achieve the desired growth in Foreign Tourist Arrivals into the country. The Minister also elicited the views of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry regarding the measures to be taken to achieve these goals.
Kumari Selja reiterated that the thrust area for the Government will be creation and improvement of Tourism Infrastructure, promotion and publicity of India as a preferred tourism destination in overseas markets, promotion of Domestic Tourism, development of Human Resource through skill development, skill certification and broad basing the hospitality education and most importantly employment generation . She reiterated that tourism should result in sustainable and equitable growth.
She unveiled the slew of measures for tackling various developmental and promotional matters which include :
>> Strengthening the Market Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme
>> Organizing Familiarization Tours for Overseas Media and Travel Trade Representatives
>> Subsidy for the trade and State Governments for participation in international travel fairs and exhibitions
>> Extending the benefit of the Marketing Development Assistance Scheme to active Members of India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB)
>> Organization of Travel Marts in association with the State Governments and other stakeholders like the Great India Travel Bazaar in Jaipur.
>> Promotion of 2009 as Visit India Year for which attractive incentives are being worked out.
>> Promotion of Medical Tourism and linking support through the Market Development Assistant (MDA) Scheme.
>>Support for Road Shows for Domestic Tourism .
While speaking about the initiatives of Ministry of Tourism in developing tourism infrastructure in the country the Minister said that of the 28 circuits/destinations identified earlier for mega tourism destination development, 20 mega projects have been sanctioned.
Kumari Selja also shared with the Industry Captains the promotional plans for the forthcoming months in the overseas markets, which include:
1. Road Shows with PATA India Chapter in Scandinavia (Helsinki, Stockholm and Oslo) in August 2009 (25th to 28th)
2. Adventure Tourism Road Shows in collaboration with Adventure Tour Operators Association of India in Australia and New Zealand (Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Auckland and Wellington) in September 2009.
3. Road Shows in Russia (Moscow and St. Petersburg), including Indian Food Festivals, Cultural Programmes and Business Sessions in September 2009.
4. “ India Calling” a custom Live Performance Event at Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles showcasing India’s rich diversity in September 2009
5. Road Shows with IATO in West Asia (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar) in October 2009.
The Minister also announced the organization of the Overseas Marketing Meet during first week of August 2009 to enable the industry stakeholders to meet with the officers posted overseas. The Minister urged the industry to promote Medical and wellness tourism and rural tourism products and use the Common Wealth Games as new launching pad for the Indian tourism in the coming year.
Speaking on the occasion the Minister of State for Tourism Shri. Sultan Ahmed said, tourism can play as a catalyst for development in the rural sector .He said a “ Rural Tourism Scheme” has been announced for positioning the rural tourism product of the country as a unique visitor needs to Aam Admi.
Secretary, Tourism Shri. Sujit Banerjee and senior officials were also present in the meeting.
Kumari Selja reiterated that the thrust area for the Government will be creation and improvement of Tourism Infrastructure, promotion and publicity of India as a preferred tourism destination in overseas markets, promotion of Domestic Tourism, development of Human Resource through skill development, skill certification and broad basing the hospitality education and most importantly employment generation . She reiterated that tourism should result in sustainable and equitable growth.
She unveiled the slew of measures for tackling various developmental and promotional matters which include :
>> Strengthening the Market Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme
>> Organizing Familiarization Tours for Overseas Media and Travel Trade Representatives
>> Subsidy for the trade and State Governments for participation in international travel fairs and exhibitions
>> Extending the benefit of the Marketing Development Assistance Scheme to active Members of India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB)
>> Organization of Travel Marts in association with the State Governments and other stakeholders like the Great India Travel Bazaar in Jaipur.
>> Promotion of 2009 as Visit India Year for which attractive incentives are being worked out.
>> Promotion of Medical Tourism and linking support through the Market Development Assistant (MDA) Scheme.
>>Support for Road Shows for Domestic Tourism .
While speaking about the initiatives of Ministry of Tourism in developing tourism infrastructure in the country the Minister said that of the 28 circuits/destinations identified earlier for mega tourism destination development, 20 mega projects have been sanctioned.
Kumari Selja also shared with the Industry Captains the promotional plans for the forthcoming months in the overseas markets, which include:
1. Road Shows with PATA India Chapter in Scandinavia (Helsinki, Stockholm and Oslo) in August 2009 (25th to 28th)
2. Adventure Tourism Road Shows in collaboration with Adventure Tour Operators Association of India in Australia and New Zealand (Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Auckland and Wellington) in September 2009.
3. Road Shows in Russia (Moscow and St. Petersburg), including Indian Food Festivals, Cultural Programmes and Business Sessions in September 2009.
4. “ India Calling” a custom Live Performance Event at Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles showcasing India’s rich diversity in September 2009
5. Road Shows with IATO in West Asia (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar) in October 2009.
The Minister also announced the organization of the Overseas Marketing Meet during first week of August 2009 to enable the industry stakeholders to meet with the officers posted overseas. The Minister urged the industry to promote Medical and wellness tourism and rural tourism products and use the Common Wealth Games as new launching pad for the Indian tourism in the coming year.
Speaking on the occasion the Minister of State for Tourism Shri. Sultan Ahmed said, tourism can play as a catalyst for development in the rural sector .He said a “ Rural Tourism Scheme” has been announced for positioning the rural tourism product of the country as a unique visitor needs to Aam Admi.
Secretary, Tourism Shri. Sujit Banerjee and senior officials were also present in the meeting.
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