India, Cyprus exchange views to promote tourism

New Delhi, Oct 26 (ANI): India and Cyprus on Tuesday exchanged ideas in the tourism sector with a view to promote tourism between the two nations.

A four-member delegation led by Cyprus Commerce Industry and Tourism Minister Antonis Paschalldes called on Union Minister of Tourism and Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja here today.

During the half an hour meeting, the two nations exchanged ideas in the tourism sector with a view to promote tourism.

"Cyprus is a small country but it is an important country in the Mediterranean. There is a lot of potential in the tourism sector and both the countries can actively cooperate in the field of Hospitality, Tourism Education and Human Resource Development," said Kumar Selja welcoming Paschalldes.

"India can learn from Cyprus in the area of Beach Tourism. If the direct air links could be established between India and Cyprus, it will give a fillip to the promotion of tourism in both the countries and better understanding among the people of the two countries," she added.

Kumari Selja further said both the countries can exchange information on the tourism statistics, tourism planning, hotel licensing and classification.

"India has lot of diversity and attractions for visitors from abroad such as Golden Triangle (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur), Kerala, Rajasthan, Goa and other parts of the country," she claimed, asserting that her Ministry is now focusing to promote India as a 365-day destination for visitors from abroad.

"Forty percent Foreign Tourists are repeat tourists in India. India and Cyprus can organize Road Shows in each other's country to promote tourism between them," she added.

The visiting dignitary Antonis Paschalldes was of the view that both countries can increase business contacts to have better people to people contact.

" Cyprus has many products like Sports Tourism, Wellness Tourism, Religious Tourism and Beach Tourism to attract visitors. Cyprus though a small country in terms of population attracts about 2.5 3 million tourists per year," he said, agreeing to work out modalities for 'Road Shows' in each other's country to promote tourism. (ANI)