Subodh Kant inaugurates Indian Pavilion in Berlin Tourism Fair

Berlin, Mar 9 (ANI): Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai on Friday inaugurated the Indian Pavilion, Berlin Tourism Fair.

Speaking on the occasion, Sahai said that tourism in recent years has developed into one of world's largest industry and a major engine for economic growth. Indian tourism continues to grow, both in volume and value. It has registered a growth of 11.8 percent foreign tourist arrivals in the country in 2010.

India, he said, has set a target to achieve 12 percent growth in tourism sector by 2016.

"If this is achieved, we will be able to create 25 million additional jobs," said Sahai.

He said that an Inter Ministerial Coordination Committee for Tourism Sector has been set up to facilitate resolution of inter-ministerial issues involved in the development of tourism in the country as well as the issues raised by the industry associations.

Sahai informed the gathering that his ministry will hold its own National Travel Mart titled Global Travel Mart India in the year 2012-13.

He said the ministry has decided to enhance its reach in the tourism source markets where it does not have its offices and proposed to appoint India Tourism Marketing representatives.

Referring to the target of one billion tourists by 2012 set by UNWTO, the Minister said India is aiming to fetch one percent of them to double its foreign tourist arrivals this year.

Sujata Singh, Indian Ambassador to Germany, Nasir Aslam Wani, Minister of Tourism, Jammu and Kashmir, Vatti Vasant Kumar, Minister of Tourism, Andhra Pradesh and representatives from Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab, Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat and tour operators from different parts of India were also present during the inauguration. (ANI)