India: US nationals top lists of tourists in '07

US nationals topped the list in terms of highest number of foreign tourists visiting the country in 2007, the Lok Sabha was informed on Friday.

Tourism minister Kumari Selja said other countries which followed the US in that year were UK, Bangladesh, Canada, France, Sri Lanka, Germany, Japan, Australia and Malaysia.

To woo more tourists, Indiatourism offices overseas are undertaking promotional activities in all important and potential tourist-generating markets to showcase India's tourism potential, the minister said.

As part of its efforts, the ministry launched the Visit India 2009 scheme with incentive schemes to attract more tourists.

On steps to ensure safety and security of the tourists, Selja said her ministry has circulated guidelines to all states to ensure safety of the visitors in all tourist hubs.

"Guidelines have been issued for formation of tourist safety organisations comprising ex-servicemen for safety and security of tourists to the state governments," she said.

Besides, the ministry has advised state governments to deploy 'tourist police', Selja said.