Foreign tourist traffic to India to increase in three years

New Delhi, July 23 (UNI) India expects at least ten million foreign tourists into the country by 2010, according to Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni.

Speaking to a high level 15-member Indonesian Parliamentary delegation led by Mr Abdul Hamam Naja, Vice Speaker of the Commissioner, she said 4.43 million foreginers visited the country in 2006 and the plan was to double this by intensifying the "Incredible India campaign." During the one-hour-long meeting, both sides discussed matters relating to tourism and culture sector.

She said the Government might allow visa-on-arrival facility once the upgradation and modernization of Delhi and Mumbai airports was complete. The move to give visa on arrival will also get facilitated with airlines giving advance passenger information to security agencies.

Ms Soni informed the Indonesian Parliamentarians that 100 per cent foreign direct investment was allowed in hotel sector in India and already 6.5 billion US dollar was in the pipeline in hotel construction.

In this context, the Minister invited the Indonesian investors to invest in the hotel industry in India.

The Minister also recalled visit of Indian expert to assess the earthquake damaged Prambanan World Heritage Site and Tamansari Water Castle at Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

The visiting delegation showed keen interest in the activities taking place in tourism and film sector in India and discussed the ways to further strengthen the cooperation in the sector between the two countries.

India Tourism Office in Singapore looks after the Indonesian market.

It participates in travel fairs and exhibitions held in Indonesia to showcase Indian tourism products to the consumers and travel trade of Indonesia.

It is slated to participate in Indonesia Trade Fiesta 2007 from August one this year at Jakarta and PATA Travel Mart at Bali in September this year.

UNI