Commonweath Games to boost tourism: Selja

The ongoing global economic slowdown has a cascading effect on the tourism sector and has adversely affected tourism world over.

Speaking at the UNWTO ministers summit, "Tourism: Tackling Global Crisis" in London, union tourism minister Kumari Selja, highlighted major initiatives taken by India to meet the impact on the tourism sector due to the unprecwedented global economic melt down.

She said, her ministry has introduced a scheme, 'visit India year 2009' in close partnership with airlines, hotels and tour operators to attract visitors to India from different countries.

She said promotional efforts in key source markets have been enhanced through important global events, road shows and outdoor advertising campaigns. Kumari Selja said India is also making conscious efforts to develop emerging short and medium haul markets and for this, development and promotion of the Buddhist circuits is carried out.

The minister said, that the Commonwealth Games would bring back buoyancy in the sector.

Later, while addressing the international media, Selja highlighted the key initiatives undertaken by India to develop the tourism sector, including the niche products like adventure, rural, medial and wellness tourism.

The policies initiated to facilitate and support heliport and caravan tourism were also mentioned. The Commonwealth Games preparations were also highlighted and it was reiterated that the preparations for the Games are on schedule and India is preparing to showcase its unique tourism products.