Thaindian News

New Delhi, Dec 14 (IANS) The tourism ministry has set up an inter-ministerial coordination committee for the sector, under the chairmanship of the principal secretary to Prime Minister, to facilitate resolution of inter-ministerial issues. It has also launched a global television and print campaign to promote the Incredible India brand, Tourism minister Subodh Kant Sahai said Wednesday.

Addressing a media conference, Sahai said a project ‘Hunar Se Rozgar Initiative’ for youths up to 28 years of age who have passed Class 8 has trained nearly 8,684 of them as of November 30.

The scheme is being conducted through the ministry of tourism-sponsored Hotel Management and Food Crafts Institutes, ITDC (India Tourism Development Corporation) and some starred hotels.

“The ministry has stepped up its promotional activities with the objective of increasing tourist arrivals from important as well as potential source market. The ministry has participated at the Fete de Geneve, Pata Travel Mart and World Travel Market in 2011,” the minister said.

A survey conducted by the ministry found that the social awareness campaign, “Athithi Devo Bhavah” has succeeded in raising awareness on tourism related issues and can change the attitude of people towards tourism.

The minister said the government has taken the initiative to identify, diversify and develop upcoming niche products of the tourism industry like adventure, meetings incentives conferences and exhibitions, cruise, medical, wellness, golf and polo.

An Incredible India Promotional calendar for 2012 launched by the ministry Wednesday has reached out to with diveristy in Indian tourism.

Projections by the ministry said tourism in India has registered a growth of 11.8 per cent in 2010 as compared to 2009 and the period between January to November in 2011 has registered a further growth of 9.4 per cent (against 2010).

Foreign exchange earnings in rupees till November 2011 have registered a growth of 18.8 per cent.