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MoT to observe 2009 as ‘Visit India Year’

According to an IANS report, travellers from abroad who visit India in 2009 will have a chance to get an extra sample of the country's Adventure Tourism and Ecotourism, Rural and Wellness Tourism in 2010 and 2011 too. The move, announced by Union Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni, is among many incentives offered to encourage repeat visitors to India.

The proposal came at a meeting of the National Tourism Advisory Council (NTAC), held recently in the capital in the wake of the Mumbai terror attack and the global meltdown. Soni, who chaired the meeting, said 2009 will be observed as the Visit India Year. “The concept is that those who visit India in 2009 will thereafter experience India's Rural Tourism, Ecotourism, Adventure Tourism, Wellness Tourism in specially worked out packages in 2010 and 2011,” said a statement issued by the Ministry of Tourism (MoT). The statement also mentioned that MoT in partnership with industry stakeholders will announce the details of the packages later. The MoT has also announced special financial packages for stakeholders facing a crunch in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks and global recession.

Apart from fiscal support, the representatives from the hospitality and travel sectors and tour operators also sought tax relaxations and the infrastructure industry status of tourism, better connectivity and improved upkeep of national monuments, said the IANS report.

To protect the industry from the global meltdown, the Ministry proposed to increase the funds under its Market Development Assistance (MDA) scheme. Under the scheme, the Ministry gives financial support to approved tourism service providers for undertaking tourism promotional activities abroad. Now, the amount has been enhanced. Also, financial assistance will be given for participating in three international trade fairs in a year - up from two. ”The Ministry will offer a subsidy of 25 per cent in participation fee, to the travel trade and state governments for participation in the India Pavilions set up by the ministry or the India tourism offices overseas at major international travel fairs and exhibitions till the end of the financial year 2009-10,” the statement said.

The Ministry will also give benefits to organisers of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Events) programmes, which have emerged as a substantially high component of growth inbound tourism. The meeting also decided to form a committee of representatives of trade associations and officers of the concerned ministries to improve the visitor experience at important heritage monuments. Another committee was formed to look into the civil aviation related issues like chartered flights.

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