Govt signs tourism MOU with Australia, Turkey and Afghanistan

New Delhi, Dec 14 (UNI) The Government has signed MOU/Agreements with Australia, Turkey and Afghanistan for cooperation in tourism while one agreement will be signed with Poland, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

In a written reply to an issue raised by Mr Mahesh Kanodia and Bhupendersingh Solankir, Tourism Minister Ambika Soni said the agreement with Poland was sent to Indian Mission in Warsaw for signing.

She said the bilateral tourism cooperation pacts signed with foreign countries served as instruments for maketing and promotion of tourism between the participating countries. It would also facilitate launching of marketing activities, exchange of travel trade delegations, facilitating investments, HRD and organising special promotion events for mutual benefit.

The list of 42 countries with whom India has bilateral ageement include Portugal, Syria, Hungary, Belarus, Isreal, Uzbekistan, Singapore, South Korea, Bulgaria, Russa, Iran, Iraq, Mexico, Seychelles, Cyprus, Egypt, South Africa, Indonesia, Moracco, Combodia, Vietnam, Ukraine, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Brazil,the Philippines, France and Jordan.

The Government has sanctioned Rs 192 crore for developing Bodhgaya-Rajgir-Nalanda circuit in Bihar under Major Project Scheme in November 2006, Tourism Minister Ambika Soni said impelementation of the projects was the responsibility of the state government and the Centre monitored the progress of projects from time to time. Balance of funds for the project would be released on receiving completion/utilisation certificate in respect of instalment released. To a question on the number of visitors visiting Golconda Fort in Hyderabad, she said 8. 17 lakh visitors saw the fort in 2005-06 and the figures upto November 06 was 6.6 lakh including 8,000 foreigners.

UNI MCN LS DS1456