India moots 'SAARC tourist circuit'

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

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

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

Ms Soni said With South Asia witnessing unprecedented economicchanges and enhanced growth rates. there definitely was a need forgreater 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 78per cent and foreign exchange earnings have increased by 122 per cent.

''Though in real terms the figures may be small as compared tomany of countries in the neighborhood, what is important is that wehave taken upon ourselves the challenge to unleash the full potentialof the tourism sector.'' She said tourism had multiplier effect on theeconomy as the biggest employment generator and every year the sectorwas said to be creating two to three million jobs-both direct andindirect.

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

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

UNI