Thaindian News

New Delhi, Jan 28 (IANS) Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay Friday called for greater cooperation among the South Asian countries to promote tourism in the region.”More trained and skilled tourism professionals are required for the fast developing tourism industry. India can offer its training facilities to the people from South Asian countries,” Sahay said after inaugurating the 18th South Asia Travel and Tour Expo (SATTE) in the national capital.

The minister laid stress on safe tourism and said that India has tremendous scope for the growth of eco, rural and medical tourism.

“We are monitoring and analyzing the global tourism trends to maintain our competitiveness. We are increasing our collaboration and improving information exchange mechanism with the industry, other countries, international organisations and educational institutions,” he said.

“Our endeavour remains to exchange data and information on the latest trends and strategies with other countries at regular intervals.”

The minister said a two-stage strategy for promoting tourism for both domestic and foreign tourists was on the anvil.

“Two stages have been suggested for promoting tourism. We will be organising tourism expos in India as well as out of India to present the picture of Incredible India to the whole world,” Sahay told IANS on the sidelines of the function.

A total of 38 countries are participating in SATTE, which also has stalls from 25 states of India.

“It will provide a platform for new public private partnership and give a common platform for encouraging tourism,” SATTE chief coordinator Navin Berry said.