Thaindian News

New Delhi, Mar 28 (ANI): Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai on Monday called for enhanced focus on rural tourism.

Presenting the National Tourism Awards for 2009-10 here, Sahai said that the Ministry of Tourism would carry out an audit of its Rural Tourism Projects to ensure that this important initiative is not lost.

“Considering the fact that the majority in India lives in villages, our focus should be on Rural Tourism. I have asked my Ministry to carry out an audit of our Rural Tourism projects so that this important initiative is not lost. Rural Tourism while providing a varied and vivid experience can also expose the visitors to different ways to live life,” he added.

“We are making all efforts to make tourism as our main political and economic agenda given its proven role in stimulating inclusive economic growth, employment generation and social integration,” he said.

“My Ministry is committed for the integrated development of tourism with active participation of various State Governments, Union Territories and other stakeholders in the industry,” he added.

“The key for the development of tourism in future, in my opinion, would be research, collaboration, innovation, public private partnership and sustainability,” he said.

“We must monitor and analyze the global tourism trends to maintain our competitiveness. We must increase our collaboration and improve information exchange mechanism with the industry, international organizations and educational institutions,” he added.

Stating that India is an excellent destination for making films, Sahai called upon the international film industry to take advantage of beautiful locales of the country.

The Minister also assured the tourism industry that the Ministry’s endeavor remains to work hand-in-hand with the industry and sincere towards its genuine demands and it would not hesitate to champion the cause of the industry with various authorities. (ANI)