Cabinet okays India, France tourism cooperation

New Delhi, Sept 21: The Union Cabinet today gave the go-ahead to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and France for cooperation in the field of tourism during French President Jacques Chirac's visit here on February 20, 2006.

The approval was accorded ex-post facto to the MoU signed between the two countries, an official spokesperson said briefing newspersons after the Cabinet meeting.

According to the MoU, India and France will encourage the quality destination of tourism industry in both the countries.

Aimed at increasing tourist arrivals from other countries, the agreement seeks to promote human resource development in tourism and travel industry. It will also recognise tourism as a means to foster relationship between the people of the two countries.

It further envisages exchange of experiences in tourist administration and management to provide a new tourism offer through cooperation in marketing activities such as tourism promotion and information as a result of market research in India and France.

The MoU, which became effective from the date of its signing, shall remain valid for five years and will be automatically renewed for another two years unless either party terminates it.

UNI