Other Topics : Art Culture - Fashion - Tourism

Latest & Hot Tourism News : * hourly updation

India targets 10 million tourists by 2010
Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, Sep 27 (IANS) India is setting a target of 10 million tourists by the end of 2010, the tourism ministry said on the occasion of World Tourism Day Tuesday.

"This year we are expecting a four million tourist arrivals and by the end of 2010, the ministry keeps its eye on a record 10 million tourist," said N.C. Joshi, the official spokesperson of the ministry.

Joshi said the government is preparing a plan to develop 15 special tourist destinations and circuits at a cost of Rs.250 million and Rs.500 million. 

Last year, the Indian tourism industry earned a record revenue of Rs.55 billion ($1.2 billion) and 3.3 million tourists visited the country. While there was 27 percent growth in the tourist inflow, the growth in terms of revenue was 36 percent.

The ministry is also embarking on campaigns to promote India all over the world. In its first attempt the tails of 25 planes of the national carrier Air India will be decorated with the Incredible India campaign logo. 

Among other ambitious plans, the ministry is also planning to give tourists visa-on-arrival.

Tourism Minister Renuka Choudhury is going to the US next month to participate in an Incredible India road show. The event aims to create awareness among Americans about the tourism potential of India.

Efforts are being made to increase hotel capacity. "At present 100,000 hotel rooms were available and around 34,000 rooms were under construction," Joshi said. 

He said the government is mooting a plan to encourage private house owners to accommodate tourists. But for that they have to get themselves registered.