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The Minister of Tourism and Culture Shripad Yesso Naik has said that his Ministry would soon work out a PR Plan and strategy to bring back the image of India as a safe destination. Speaking at the IATO interaction in June, Shri Naik said the issue of safety and security of tourists, especially women tourists, is Government’s utmost concern. He said, the Government recognises the role tourism and hospitality can play as a foreign exchange earner and their ability to create millions of jobs every year and therefore, it is important that both the Government and Private Sector are in same tangent so as to achieve the goals set.
Excerpts from what Mr Naik said:
“It is my great pleasure to be amongst the members of India Association of Tour Operators, which is the largest association of the travel trade service providers and which directly deals with the inbound tourism in the country. It is important that both Government and Private Sector are in same tangent so as to achieve the goals set for us.
As you are all aware, in our election manifesto our party had identified tourism as a key sector to drive socio-economic progress and earn foreign exchange for the country. We had announced, I quote, “BJP recognises the role tourism and hospitality can play as a foreign exchange earner and their ability to create millions of jobs every year.
This is my first formal meeting with IATO after my assuming charge and I am glad that this will give us an opportunity to exchange ideas while the new government is on the path of setting its agenda for various segments of the economy including tourism. Tourism is one of the top priority sectors for my government and I am sure that I will have the whole hearted cooperation from the private sector partners to take tourism to new heights. It is time to now scale up our operations in the international market.
I am aware of the fact that the tourism industry in India today is concerned about the issue of safety and security of tourists especially the women tourists. I would like to assure that it is our utmost concern too. We will soon work out a PR Plan and strategy to bring back the image of India as a safe destination.
Plans are on to harness technology for growth and development of tourism.
I am also keen that the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) becomes operational at the earliest. This will provide a great push to the inbound tourism as we will be able to tap the last minute traveller, the sponsors of business travellers and executives attending conferences.
The subject of seamless travel of tourist vehicles between the States has been a long pending demand and I know that this is of utmost importance. I will indeed make sincere efforts to resolve this in consultation with the Minister of surface transport.
We have also initiated a programme to train the executives of members of IATO in spoken Chinese language. This programme is scheduled to begin around end of June. This has been initiated as per your request and would help to ease the demand of Chinese Speaking Guides.
I look forward to a very positive and fruitful association with you in the coming days and seek your whole hearted cooperation in making India the most preferred destination in the region.”
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