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New Delhi, Aug 26 (ANI): Union Minister of Tourism and Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja will leave for Oslo, Norway today to attend meeting of the board of governors on the Urban Poor Fund International (UPFI) and road shows to promote India as a preferred tourist destination.

Before returning to New Delhi on August 30, Selja will also attend international workshop on safety and security on slum.

The Ministry of Tourism, in association with the PATA India Chapter and the local PATA Chapter in Scandinavia will organize a series of road shows in Helsinki (Finland), Stockholm (Sweden) and Oslo (Norway) from August 25-28.

The objective of the road shows is to promote India as a preferred tourist destination so as to increase tourism from Scandinavia to India.

The road shows will include presentations on India, meetings with buyer delegates from the Scandinavian countries as well as interaction with the international media.

These road shows provide an effective platform for showcasing the tourism products, facilities and services of the country to a select target audience.

Approximately 25-30 leading travel trade representatives from India, including tour operators, airlines, hoteliers are expected to participate in the road shows.

The countries in Scandinavia are very important source markets for India.

With the introduction of Finnair services between India and Finland, tourist arrivals from this region has started showing steady growth.

The Ministry of Tourism has therefore decided to capitalize this trend, by making itself visible in the region.

The proposed road shows with PATA will leverage PATA’s reach in the region, as also the positive impact of the PATA Travel Mart 2008 hosted by India in Hyderabad.

During the road shows, the Ministry of Tourism would also be projecting the investment opportunities available in tourism sector in India. There is 100 per cent FDI allowed in the hotel sector and this would be conveyed to industry leaders in these three countries.

The development in the fields of medical and wellness tourism in the country will also be showcased to professionals and tour operators specializing in the medical and wellness sectors in the region.

Similarly, there is great potential for development of the MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Conventions and Exhibitions) segment in India, but there is little awareness about the potential of this product in the overseas markets.

A major thrust will be given to this sector, during interactions with the conference and incentive organizers and opinion makers.

This is the first time such a large event is being organised in Scandinavia. (ANI)