Afro Asian Business Chronicle

With its diverse flora and fauna and varied ethnicity, India is all set to woo the foreign tourist. On the eve of India Independence Day celebrations, India's new Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai talks of the government's lofty plans and ideas to boost tourism in an exclusive interview to Renu Malhotra, Editor-in-Chief  Afro Asian Business Chronicle

Q. Congratulations for taking over as Tourism Minister. Given the vast potential for growth of Indian tourism industry, what are your priorities for harnessing this potential?

The priority is to achieve 5 million additional International tourists by the end of the 12th five year plan. At present India's share in world tourists arrival is only 0.59% and Ministry would like to increase this to at least 1% to make it 10 million plus international tourist arrivals within the next 5 years.

Q. World Tourism Day (September 27,2011) is around the corner. What new steps and initiatives does the Government of India proposes to propel tourism in India?

The Ministry of Tourism undertakes wide ranging promotional activities in important source markets for increasing tourism to the country. These include media campaigns in the print, electronic, online and outdoor media, launched centrally as well as through the India tourism offices overseas. The overseas offices participate in important international travel fairs and exhibitions, organise Road Shows for the trade and media and arrange familiarisation tours to India for tour operators, media representatives and opinion makers to motivate them to promote India as a tourist destination. As a major promotional initiative, India is hosting the PATA Travel Mart 2011 in New Delhi in September 2011. As host country, India will get the opportunity of not only showcasing its tourist attractions, but also projecting the facilities and infrastructure available for the promotion of MICE Tourism.

Q. Though there has been marginal increase in International tourists in 2009-10 and 2010-11,India appears to have failed to measure up to countries like China, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc on ITA particularly after the revival of global economy after 2008 recession .Your Comments.

During the recession time, baring few countries all other countries have witnessed a decrease or remained stable in respect of Foreign Tourist Arrivals. China had witnessed a negative growth of 4.1% during that period, whereas India registered a negative growth of only 2.2 %. International Tourist Arrivals to India have been growing steadily and the year 2010  saw an increase of 8.1% in international tourist arrivals as compared to the previous year. Similarly, Foreign Exchange Earnings from tourism (in dollar terms) increased at a rate of 18.1% in 2010 as compared to 2009.

Q. What ITA Target your Ministry has set for the current fiscal year 2011-12 and what innovative measures are being adopted to meet the target?

We have set up a long term target of achieving 10 million Plus International Tourists Arrival within next 5 years. To achieve this target we have to work very hard on all the frontiers.  The rich culture and heritage of the country continue to remain the mainstay of Indian tourism. However, with a view to diversifying the tourism product of the country, niche tourism segments are being developed and promoted. These include Medical and Wellness Tourism, Adventure Tourism, Eco Tourism, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions) Tourism and Rural Tourism. India is also committed to the development of Safe & Honourable Tourism and Sustainable Tourism and there is a great focus on promoting these segments as well.

Infrastructural facilities in the country are being augmented in a well planned manner, in partnership with the State Governments and the private sector. Destinations/circuits which are frequented by a large number of tourists have been identified, for integrated development as Mega Projects. Modernisation of major airports in the country has been undertaken through
Public - Private Sector Partnership.

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