India draws up a seven-point programme to boost tourism
H S Rao in London
With the terror strikes in the United States hitting the tourism and travel industry hard, India has drawn up a seven-point programme to counter the adverse conditions and build a reputation for ethical trade and business practices, Union Tourism Minister Jagmohan said in London on Friday.
"Efforts will be made to create conditions in which the country attains a reputation for ethical trade and business practices" under the seven-point programme to meet the adverse conditions in the aftermath of the September 11 strikes, Jagmohan, who attended the World Tourism Mart in London, told reporters.
Steps would be taken to propagate India as a safe and secure destination, step up marketing in the western and northern world and break new grounds in the east and south, particularly China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and Australia, he said.
About the menace of touts, beggars and cheats exploiting tourists, Jagmohan, who is known for his administrative capacity, said: "We are very conscious of the problem."
He said Radio Taxis have been introduced in all metropolitan centres which would go a long way in facilitating tourists to reach their destinations safely and comfortably.
India, he said, has a long tradition of healthy, ecologically sound and spiritually elevating tourism. It has vast bounties of nature - majestic mountains, lovely beaches, wonderful wild-life and enchanting bird sanctuaries and also great treasures of art, architecture and philosophic thought.
Jagmohan said it would be his endeavour to ensure that a tourist to India gets "physically invigorated, mentally rejuvenated, culturally enriched and spiritually elevated. And on return to his country, he should feel India within him."
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