The Tourism Ministry has set a target of increasing world tourist arrivals to the country from 0.6 to one per cent over the next five years, Minister of State for Tourism (independent charge) K. Chiranjeevi said on Saturday.
Addressing the inaugural function of the International Tourism Mart 2013 being held at the Sarusajai Stadium here, he said the Home Ministry’s decision to lift the restriction of a two-month gap for re-entry of foreigners coming to India on tourist visa would give a boost to tourism. The initiative would also help the northeastern States in developing tourism.
Film tourism was also being promoted as several destinations gained in terms of tourist arrivals by being the venue of popular international and domestic cinema, Mr. Chiranjeevi said.
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The Minister said the International Tourism Mart was organised in Guwahati to showcase the untapped potential of the north-east. “The varied tourism attractions of the region make it an excellent holiday destination, waiting to be explored.” Later speaking to journalists, he said his Ministry was promoting the northeast also as a destination for adventure tourism.
Union Tourism Secretary Parvez Dewan said international buyer delegates from 23 countries would attend the annual convention of the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India, beginning here after the conclusion of the Tourism Mart.
Governor J.B. Patnaik, in his inaugural speech, said the Assam government had a distinctive policy to encourage promotion of national and international tourism with new incentives and subsidies.
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