Haryana invites NRIs to invest in tourism sector

Chandigarh, Nov 15 (UNI) Haryana Tourism Minister Kiran Choudhry today invited NRIs to invest in the tourism sector in the state.

''The NRIs must come forward for investment of their funds in the field of tourism related projects and get the benefit of concessions available in the state, she said while addressing a meeting in London organised by IPCSI-UK, an organisation of NRIs, to felicitate her. The Minister was in London to participate in the ongoing World Travel Market (WTM).

She said the Haryana government was coming up with a new tourism policy wherein public-private partnership had been envisaged.

Bhondsi, Kalesar and many other projects were in hand for implementation under public-private partnership.

She said the Haryana government had given a major thrust to the tourism industry as it was seen as a major engine of economic growth and catalyst for employment generation and poverty alleviation.

She said tax holidays had been announced by the Central government in the NCR. Since Haryana was located in Delhi's proximity, it was is an ideal place for investment in the field of tourism related projects.

Ms Choudhry said tourism scenario in India had changed over the years. The foreign tourist arrival had witnessed a growth of 75 per cent over a period of five years and foreign exchange earnings from tourism had also shown phenomenal growth.

As compared to the foreign exchange earnings of Rs 21603 crore in the year 2004, it had reached Rs 29603 crore in the year 2006.

UNI