Kumari Selja to strive for increasing tourist inflow

As against the arrival of 3.84 lakh foreign tourists in April last year, the number was 3.71 lakh in April this year, she said after taking charge of the ministry here.

“We have to launch a vigorous campaign, including roadshows in collaboration with major tour operators in several cities across the world, to attract foreign tourists. It is also a major a source of foreign exchange earnings,” Selja said.

The Tourism Ministry also is gearing itself up for the expected inflow of foreign tourists during the 2010 Commonwealth Games. “Our preparations are in full swing to make the Commonwealth Games a grand success,” Selja said.

“We expect about one lakh tourists during the Games and steps are underway to cater to their needs,” she said. Immediately after taking charge, Selja held discussions with senior officials in the ministry and emphasised the need to monitor and review the projects sanctioned by it so that their timely implementation was ensured.

“Tourism should be developed in a sustainable and inclusive way which ensures benefit to all stakeholders, particularly the weaker sections of  society,” she said. The ministry, she said, would also give due importance to domestic tourism. The number of domestic tourists was 527 million in 2007 and the vibrant domestic market would be focussed so that the full potential of different products and segments can be tapped, she added.
Selja also assumed office as the Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, a portfolio she had held in the previous UPA government also.