India moots "SAARC tourist circuit."

New Delhi, Apr 20 (UNI) Tourism Minister Ambika Soni today suggested to countries of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to work on "tourist circuits" which will take people to at least two to three countries.

Addressing the inaugural session of the 14th Annual South Asian Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) here, she said all member-countries of the SAARC must collectively commit to making travel easier in the region.

''People-to-people contact and connectivity are the best ways to have harmonious relationship and peace in the region,'' she said, while calling for better air, train and bus connectivity to promote tourism in the SAARC Region.

Ms Soni said With South Asia witnessing unprecedented economic changes and enhanced growth rates. there definitely was a need for greater connectivity in terms of rail, road and air.

The Minister said tourism has kept pace with the overall rate of growth of the economy in India.

In the last five years, foreign tourist arrivals have grown by 78 per cent and foreign exchange earnings have increased by 122 per cent.

''Though in real terms the figures may be small as compared to many of countries in the neighborhood, what is important is that we have taken upon ourselves the challenge to unleash the full potential of the tourism sector.'' She said tourism had multiplier effect on the economy as the biggest employment generator and every year the sector was said to be creating two to three million jobs-both direct and indirect.

Listing out the various initiatives taken by the Government in the tourism sector with the objective of providing visitors to India with a world-class experience, Ms Soni said an Advance Passenger Information System and Long Term Visas were on the anvil to facilitate tourists.

''Foreign investment in the tourism sector is encouraged and overseas investors are allowed to invest upto 100 per cent equity on repatriation basis.'' Ms Soni said India had been focusing on promotion of niche segments and innovative concepts such as Rural Tourism, Medical Tourism, Conference and Convention, Cruise Tourism, Golf Tourism, Luxury Trains, wedding and Honeymoon Tourism.

UNI